Iconography of Lord Ganapathi – As Described in Scriptures

Lord Ganapathi is depicted with various divine symbols, each holding deep spiritual significance. His unique features, attributes, and adornments are described in the Puranas, Vedas, and Upanishads.

1. Elephant Head – Symbol of Supreme Intelligence

🔹 Lord Ganapathi has the head of an elephant, symbolizing wisdom, strength, and foresight.
🔹 The large ears represent active listening and receptivity to prayers.
🔹 The small eyes symbolize focus and concentration.
🔹 His curved trunk signifies adaptability and efficiency—able to remove obstacles effortlessly.

2. Broken Tusk – The Sacred Scribe of the Mahabharata

🔹 Ganapathi is known as Eka-Danta (One-Tusked One).
🔹 According to legend, he broke his right tusk to scribe the Mahabharata for Sage Vyasa, when his pen broke during dictation.
🔹 The broken tusk symbolizes sacrifice, resilience, and detachment.
🔹 It also represents the balance of knowledge and action—where one must sometimes break personal comfort to fulfill duty.

3. The Crescent Moon (Chandra Rekha) on His Headgear

🔹 Lord Ganesha wears a crescent moon (like Lord Shiva), symbolizing the waxing and waning phases of time.
🔹 It represents mental illumination, balance, and eternal consciousness.
🔹 The moon signifies that Ganesha is beyond time and cycles of creation and destruction.

4. The Third Eye – Divine Vision

🔹 Some depictions of Ganesha show a third eye on his forehead, inherited from Lord Shiva.
🔹 It represents divine knowledge, intuition, and omniscience.

5. His Four (or More) Arms – The Power of the Universe

Lord Ganapathi is often depicted with four arms, though some scriptures describe him with six or even eight arms.

Each Hand Holds a Sacred Symbol:

1️⃣ Ankusha (Goad) – Represents divine control, guiding devotees on the right path.
2️⃣ Pasha (Noose) – Symbolizes restraining desires and ego, keeping devotees focused.
3️⃣ Modak (Sweet Dumpling) – Signifies the reward of wisdom and spiritual attainment.
4️⃣ Broken Tusk (Danta) – Symbol of sacrifice, learning, and dedication to duty.

Some variations also depict:
5️⃣ A Lotus (Padma) – Signifies purity and enlightenment.
6️⃣ An Axe (Parashu) – Represents cutting away ignorance and material attachments.

6. The Serpent (Naga) Around His Waist

🔹 Ganapathi wears a snake (Naga) as a belt around his waist, symbolizing cosmic energy (Kundalini Shakti).
🔹 The snake also represents self-control, discipline, and protection from negativity.
🔹 In some stories, when Ganapathi’s belly burst open after eating too many sweets, he tied a serpent around his stomach to hold everything in place.

7. The Gigantic Belly – Holding the Universe

🔹 His large belly symbolizes the vastness of the universe and his ability to digest all experiences—good or bad.
🔹 It represents tolerance, contentment, and the ability to hold infinite wisdom.

8. His Vehicle (Vahana) – The Tiny Mouse (Mushika)

🔹 Ganapathi’s vahana (mount) is a small mouse (Mushika).
🔹 The mouse represents desires and ego, which can grow uncontrollable if not tamed.
🔹 Lord Ganesha rides the mouse, symbolizing his control over desires and the ability to remove obstacles.

9. The Divine Sound of “Om” – Ganapathi as Omkara

🔹 The shape of Ganesha’s body itself represents “Om” (AUM), the primordial cosmic sound.
🔹 He is worshiped as Pranava Swarupa (the embodiment of Om), the essence of all creation.

10. His Sacred Colors

🔹 He is often depicted in red, yellow, or golden hues, signifying auspiciousness and divine energy.
🔹 Some scriptures also describe white Ganesha as the form representing purity and sattvic (divine) consciousness.

Summary of Ganapathi’s Divine Attributes

The Vedas, Puranas, and Upanishads portray Ganapathi as the Supreme Being beyond time and space, embodying wisdom, prosperity, and the remover of obstacles. His iconography reflects the balance of knowledge, strength, humility, and spiritual power.