Spirit Medicine - Elephant

Elephant represents power and strength. They are the largest land mammals on Earth and are highly intelligent, social animals. Elephants live in complex family herds. They are known for their remarkable memories because of their ability to recognize individuals and locations for years. Elephants consume a diet entirely of plants.

There are three species of elephant: African Savanna (Bush), African Forest, and Asian.

Elephant tusks are actually enlarged incisor teeth that first appear when elephants are around the age of two and continue growing throughout their lives. Tusks are used to help with feeding - peeling bark off trees or digging up roots - or as a defense when fighting.

Elephants communicate in a variety of ways, by making trumpet calls, touch, and scent. They also communicate through seismic signals - sounds that create vibrations in the ground - which they may detect through their bones.

Elephants are not native to North America. Native American lore surrounding Mammoth is complicated. Many tribes had legends of a “Stiff Legged Giant Bear” who is sometimes associated with Mammoth and therefore Elephant universal symbolism. When Southeastern American tribes first saw African Elephants, their initial reaction was to use the same term used to describe the "Stiff Legged Giant Bear."

African lore says that Elephants are the Chieftains of the forest, having been reincarnated from ancient human chiefs. Their role is settling disputes among the native creatures. After all, who is going to argue with them? Other local symbolism includes joy, luck, leadership, fortitude and poise.

The appearance of Elephant in our lives represents an intense focus on family, including past and future generations. Elephant challenges us to protect the young and weak of our tribe, while also recognizing the power of shared love and loyalty. Note, however, that Elephant intuitively knows that not all “family” is bound by blood. Sometimes people come into our lives who hold that role energetically.

Elephant loves seekers and students and often comes at a time when we're focused on those types of goals, either academically or spiritually. Are you seeking knowledge or looking for 'next steps' on your spiritual journey? That would be a time when Elephant would come to you.

Another reason Elephant may choose to become an animal spirit guide is if you're involved in research or a career in the sciences. Elephant Spirit is attracted to a keen mind and wit and enjoys working cooperatively toward intellectual goals.

I was asked recently to create a painting of an Elephant Spirit Guide. Not being familiar with the meaning and significance of Elephant, I not only learned a lot in researching the design I wanted to use but felt particularly drawn to the colors and patterns I used when painting it. Blue and turquoise are calming and healing colors, while purple is the color of royalty - fitting the spiritual meaning of Elephant quite well. Elephant asked me to paint a playful and young version of itself - to add a little whimsy to our existence, I suppose. You see the result of this effort - I hope you like it. I learned so much and feel the Spirit of Elephant with me now. :)