Ganesh | “Because elephants are good luck in new places.”
Ganesh, Hindu God, the remover of obstacles
The Story
When I was younger and my parents separated, I noticed my dad did something every time he moved into a new home (which thankfully was only a couple of times before he found his long-term place!).
He always had a few clean crisp photographs of elephants in the living room and kitchen. I didn’t realize it at such a young age and because I was a fairly ignorant child, but my dad was actually quite a spiritual dude! He would sometimes talk about the Universe or would make little decisions based on his belief of karma (like telling the truth and being kind) or would speak about the Spirit of something living in something else.
For example, after my Grandmother died, we were at her apartment and we both could have sworn that this little fly zooming around the kitchen was a reincarnation of her (even if it was just for that moment).
Anyways, let’s get back to the elephant story.
So I was about ten-years-old or so and my Dad had moved into his final house. I noticed the photos of elephants were bigger and on a thick glossy paper (perhaps that’s why he ended up staying in that house!? hmmm… 🤔). As usual, they were placed in the living room and kitchen. This time, there was also one in the dining room.
By this time, my ignorance kind of melted away and I was at the age where curiosity started pulling at me and I needed answers! So I finally asked him… “Hey Dad… what’s with all the photos of elephants?”
“Elephants are good luck in new places!” he said cheerfully. I didn’t even question it.
At the time, I quite literally knew nothing about Hinduism. I was raised Catholic and from my memory, there was nothing in the Bible that says anything about elephants being good luck in new places. And to be totally honest, I don’t even know where my Dad heard this for the first time.
He, like me, is like one of those people that doesn’t place himself into one religion, but more so picks and chooses what he likes from each and then lives in accordance to that.
Regardless, he believed this and from that point on, so did I.
13 years later, in 2016, I was living in Australia and about to endure my first six months in India (had nooo idea it was going to be what it was by the way—but that’s a story for another time).
I had a small tattoo on my wrist that had run its course and it was time to get it covered. Do my fellow tattooed peeps ever feel this with their tattoos btw? 🤦🏼♀️
I had started my nomad-ing a couple of years prior and felt it would be appropriate to get a tattoo of an elephant, since I wasn’t planning to stop travelling anytime soon. It’s now 2024 and I still haven’t ceased the geographical adventure!
This amazing tattoo shop was in Lennox Head, just south of Byron Bay, Australia. I’d heard great things about it and the tattoo artist, Dean. I will never forget him. I told him my idea for a cover up and basically demonstrated a sh*tty silhouette of an elephant.
“I don’t like that and I won’t do that,” he told me confidently. I admitted I agreed. “You go get a coffee and when you come back, I’ll have something better for you.” I told him my budget and I wasn’t willing to go over that. He said, “No problem!” and I went and fetched my coffee.
By the time that tattoo was done, it was about to be my most pointed out and complimented tattoo. At this time, it wasn’t quite as common to have tattoos, so people would always ask, “What does it mean?”
“Elephants are good luck in new places and I’m always in a new place!” I would respond with the same answer every time.
Fast forward to the time that I was in India learning about yoga philosophy and Hindu mythology and I learn about Ganesh.
WHAAAAAT!? This comes from a real thing? I thought to myself when I first learned about Ganesh and his “super powers”.
This entire time I thought that I was making all of this up along with my Dad and here I was, in the heart of Luxman Jhula, India, at the foothills of the Himalayas, learning for the first time about Ganesh.
🤯
Who is Ganesh?
Alright, so we know at this point that Ganesh is an elephant that is supposedly good luck in new places, but there must be more too this - right?
Right!
Ganesh is one of the most revered Gods in Hinduism. We see him everywhere in places like India and Bali—and apparently in my dad’s living room. He is commonly known as the “remover of obstacles” and often sits at the front or side of one’s altar. He is known to support the success of new beginnings, paving the way for an auspicious future.
He has an elephant head with a big round belly and just having him in your space brings a greater sense of ease and kindness.
His belly makes it possible to digest the good and bad in a way that feels peaceful. His big ears display how closely he listens to his devotees. His large head helps him to think big (potentially bigger than we may be thinking for ourselves!) and connect to a higher sense of wisdom and intelligence. His small mouth demonstrates just how little he speaks.
He offers blessings to those who devote to him (and perhaps even those who don’t!) so they can be on a path of connecting to their Highest Good and living as their Highest Hearts and Selves.
He’s definitely one to keep close to you! I actually have both a photo and a figurine of him on my altar. And whenever I lead Kirtan I bring his figurine with me (along with Lakshmi and Saraswati). I’ve had mountains in my life, mind, and heart be moved because of this awesome elephant God, Ganesh.
Namaste Ganesh Namaste Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Ganesh Mantra
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
I honour and bow to the lord, Ganesh.
Sanskrit: ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Thank you so much for being here!
I would love to invite you to join the waitlist of my Travel Novel being released in 2025—it’s going to bring you an a riveting journey of the Self, through adventures around the world.
Join the waitlist for its launch here! 📚
Xo, Jenn
