SACRED VIRTUES OF THE ELEPHANT
Sacred Virtue #1:
STRENGTH & POWER
The Elephant is the largest and most powerful animal to walk the Earth - its strength gives it the ability to remove obstacles - it can lift a mighty tree with its powerful trunk. Think of all the times when you have wished that you had the strength of the Elephant to remove obstacles in your own life.
Sacred Virtue #2:
WISDOM & DIGNITY
The Elephant is the wisest and most dignified of creatures. They were used by powerful leaders when they hunted tigers or attended great ceremonies. This was the greatest show of wealth and power on Earth! The Maharajahs who rode them were kings that every year would receive their own weight in gold and precious gems!
Sacred Virtue #3:
LONGEVITY
The elephant has the longest gestation period of any animal - 22 months - and then goes on to enjoy one of the longest lives - up to 82 years. Because of this the elephant handler, or mahout, is usually assigned to a particular animal when they are both very young and they grow up and work together for the rest of their lives.
Sacred Virtue #4:
PERSEVERENCE & HARD WORK
Elephants have always worked hard - for thousands of years they were the principal form of heavy transport in India and other Asian countries. They could lift and carry heavy objects like tree trunks and they could carry their riders over long distances in total safety. No animal, not even the mighty tiger, will attack a full-grown elephant. With the mighty Elephant to inspire you, you'll be able to persevere, and through hard work, prosper in all your endeavors.
Sacred Virtue #5:
INTELLIGENCE
The Elephant has the largest brain of any land animal, up to 11 pounds in weight, and is very intelligent. Elephants, like humans, show self-awareness, they display grief, and even like to make music!
Sacred Virtue #6:
FAMILY
Elephants live in family groups with a dominant female Matriarch. All members of the herd, whether old or young, are looked after and protected from danger by the protection of a mighty She-Elephant or Parvati - the Divine Mother.
Sacred Virtue #7:
LOYALTY
Elephants are incredibly loyal to other members of the herd and will not abandon them even if they are ill or dying, and in fact, there have been many cases of entire herds dying of thirst and starvation because they chose to stay with an ill member of the herd who was unable to travel. Loyalty is one of the greatest of virtues, whether practiced by elephants or humans.
SOURCE: BETHEA JENNER