A client asked me about the symbolism of some artwork, depicting seven elephants in a row, holding each others’ tails with their trunks. I’ve written about symbolism before and the simple answer is that some schools of Feng Shui rely heavily on symbolism and placebos, while other schools and practices are more interested in the energetic influence of our physical surroundings. For example, if the elephant statue in a room were made of bronze, it would have a different influence than if it were made of stone or wood. This is in accordance with Five Element Theory.

When all is said and done, symbols are highly personal, and therefore subjective. For one person, the hood ornament of a Mercedes Benz might be a personal reminder of affluence. And yet, I know a few Jews who still cannot stomach the idea of driving a German-made car because of the Holocaust. That is just an example of a very different range of emotions associated with the same symbol.

I’ve been asked about the “trunk up” elephant, more than other symbols, so I have just deferred to the conventional interpretation in folklore. Of course, we do know that in real life, the elephant is a gentle, wise, vegetarian who never forgets. Like dolphins, they may be quite highly evolved spiritually.

At face value, we can understand that just our world alone hosts millions of species and throughout our recorded times we have placed all kinds of emphasis and intense interest on so many different types of of land, water and air-borne animals. We place all kinds of generic attributes and personalities to certain animals, such as a snake being divine, but also conniving. The Chinese zodiac signs have animal attributes, although the signs were established before the “farm” animals were assigned to them much later.

One startling YouTube video shows a man canoodling with and having an absolute kissy love fest with a fox, as if it were a Golden Retriever! Who knew that a fox could be so affectionate with a human? This is just one example of how the conventional symbolism of a fox doesn’t match up with a real life one who has obviously endeared itself as a family pet.

To quote the musical performer Sting and his original band the Police, “we are spirits living in the material world.” This mystical experience of life can include animal guides, real or imagined who can assist us in our development. Depictions of animals in our homes can be inspiring and empowering, above and beyond any traditional Feng Shui practices. Like dreams, we can refer to some books and authorities about the universality of their meaning, but if I dream about an elephant knocking at my door, that could mean something completely different than the same elephant knocking at your door.

I don’t want to be known as the Feng Shui consultant who does not condone any use of symbolism in the name of Feng Shui. I just know that symbols can be deeply personal, and therefore stimulate a subjective experience or benefit.

Author: Kartar Diamond
Company: Feng Shui Solutions (R) Since 1992
From the Frequent Client Questions Blog Series