~Lord Ganesha's Iconography~ [a few tidbits]

[Guest guest]

Jai Ganapati Deva, dear family!

i came across the following info about Ganesha's unique iconography,

and wanted to share it with all of you. i humbly thank dearest Melody

for these very intersting tidbits!

 

~Ganesha's Iconography~

 

"According to the strict rules of Hindu iconography, Ganesha figures

with only two hands are taboo. Hence, Ganesha figures are most

commonly seen with four hands which signify their divinity. Some

figures may be seen with six, some with eight, some with ten, some

with twelve and some with fourteen hands, each hand carrying a symbol

which differs from the symbols in other hands, there being about

fifty seven symbols in all, according to the findings of research

scholars.

 

The physical attributes of Ganesha are themselves rich in symbolism.

He is normally shown with one hand in the abhaya pose of protection

and refuge and the second holding a sweet (modaka) symbolic of the

sweetness of the realized inner self. In the two hands behind him he

often holds an ankusha (elephant goad) and a pasha (noose). The noose

is to convey that worldly attachments and desires are a noose. The

goad is to prod man to the path of righteousness and truth. With this

goad Ganesha can both strike and repel obstacles."

 

His pot belly signifies the bounty of nature and also that Ganesha

swallows the sorrows of the Universe and protects the world.

 

The image of Ganesha is a composite one. Four animals viz., man,

elephant, the serpent and the mouse have contributed for the makeup

of his figure. All of them individually and collectively have deep

symbolic significance.

 

An intriguing aspect of Ganesha's iconography is his broken tusk,

leading to the appellation Ekdanta, Ek meaning one and danta meaning

teeth.