I have been given a lovely miniature wooden elephant and I've heard of both versions of how to place it for good luck. Anyone know how the superstition originated?
2006-09-05 23:22:56 · 12 answers · asked by Sophie 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
I found a very similar question online:
Q I HAVE received an ornamental elephant and understand that elephants can bring good luck, providing they are positioned correctly in relation to the front door. Where should I place the elephant to bring good luck? - D Knowles, Darlington.
A ELEPHANTS are often associated with good or bad luck and, in Buddhism, they are also regarded as a symbol of strength, wisdom and prudence. The elephant is a sacred animal in Buddhism because it was said to have offered flowers to Buddha. According to Buddhist beliefs, elephants should be placed high on a mantel or shelf, or on an altar.
Superstitious people believe that an elephant can bring bad luck if its trunk is pointing downwards towards the ground. When an elephant's trunk is facing up it is supposed to bring good luck. Even if the elephant's trunk is facing down, with a little upturn at the end, this should still bring good luck.
The elephant's luck-bringing properties are now even better known because of the increasing interest in the Oriental practice of Feng Shui. This set of ideas, based on the principle of yin and yang, attempts to improve balance and harmony in man-made environments, particulary with the positioning of furniture or objects in the home. According to Feng Shui beliefs, the trunk of an elephant should point toward the front door or to any door to the outside. It is believed that this can draw in money and prosperity.
Good Luck with your elephant...
2006-09-05 23:41:19 · answer #1 · answered by froggie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wooden Elephant Ornaments
2016-11-12 04:53:38 · answer #2 · answered by carrick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mother had two wooden elephants and always got upset when my daughter turned them to face the door. She reckoned that meant your luck goes out the door. That's pretty superstitious for the wife of an Anglican priest! I have them now and they face away from the door.
2006-09-06 03:53:40 · answer #3 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love elephants and I have quite a few ornaments in my home all of them are facing towards a door way unless their trunks are pointing upwards then it dont matter because they are classed as lucky ones.
I'm not that superstitious a lot of it is just old wives tales but just incase I still point em towards a doorway.
2006-09-05 23:32:42 · answer #4 · answered by Jobianna 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where the superstition came from sorry but I have mine pointing to the door or any way out i believe it is .
2006-09-05 23:34:05 · answer #5 · answered by ninja 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Facing the door. On another note, what do you do if an elephant comes through your window....swim for it.
2006-09-09 23:08:29 · answer #6 · answered by Princess415 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
towards the door! said to be used for protection. You can also google different reasons under the Buddhist religion.
2014-01-02 08:02:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know where i comes from but I thought you had to face them towards a window
2006-09-05 23:25:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
towards a door ,hope he has his trunk curled upwards ,if not they are considered by some people to be unlucky
2006-09-07 22:33:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i thought it was trunk up and facing front door, thats how my aunt had all her elephants.
2006-09-05 23:32:26 · answer #10 · answered by ♥sandpaper kisses♥ >^..^< 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋