The Symbolism of Different Objects Held by Ganesha

Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity of Hinduism, is rich in symbolism. Representations of Ganesha show him holding many objects, each of which has a deeper meaning than what is apparent.

Let us see what these objects are and what they symbolize.

1. Modak – Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet, it represents wisdom.

2. Shankh/Conch –The loud sound made by blowing the conch is like an elephant’s trumpeting. It has the power to ward off negative thoughts.

3. Pasha/Noose – It represents his ability to bring his devotees closer to him and prevent them from going astray.

4. Vajra Shool/Lighting Bolt – It is the power that controls the higher and lower chakras. It gives the spirit control over the mind and gives the mind control over matter.

5. Chakra – The discus or chakra represents the Sun and mind. Used as a weapon, it is the divinely empowered intellect.

6. Modakapatra or bowl of sweets – It is a symbol of what He loves most, which is Moksha or liberation, the sweetest of all things.

7. Gada or mace – It eliminates the karma of his devotees.

8. Dagger – The churi or dagger signifies the difficult path the spiritual aspirant must walk.

9. Rudraksha Mala – Lord Ganesha sits at Shiva’s feet with a japa mala or prayer beads in his hand, waiting for instruction from his father, the Supreme Lord.

10. Flower arrows – They prevent his devotees from wandering too far from the path of Dharma.

11. Amrita Kumbha/ Pot of nectar –It represents the nectar that flows from the devotee's Sahasrara chakra to his seat at the base of the Muladhara chakra.

12. Padma/ Lotus – Ganesha wants devotees to be like the lotus flower, pure despite being surrounded by mud.

13. Ikshukarmuka/ Sugarcane bow – Ganesha is generous nature and gives many good things to devotees. His sugar cane bow shoots the kindest arrows, which represent his thoughts.

14. Shara/arrow – It teaches us to begin all undertakings with good intentions.

15. Veena – Ganesha is the sound, and Shiva is the ocean; Shiva is the mind, and Ganesha is the echo. A true devotee should listen to the music of the veena within himself.

16. Asura/the demon – Ganesha’s ganas eliminate fear from the minds of his devotees.

17. Danda/staff – It represents the authority of Ganesha. It warns people not to violate Dharma.

18. Camara/fly whisk fan – It whisks away the memory of the past from the minds of his devotees.

19. Kamandala/water pot – It represents fullness. Ganesha meets all his devotees’ needs. The kamandalu keeps pouring out and never needs to be filled.

20. Dhanush/bow – Ganesha bends His thoughts into forms that are most helpful to his devotees.

21. Naga /serpent – It represents the kundalini power within all human beings, which can be aroused through yogic meditation.

22. Salipallava/rice sprig – Ganesha sustains the life of all people. He holds the sprig of paddy and ensures prosperity.

23. Mudgara/hammer – Ganesha’s mallet signifies that he is the Patron of Arts and Crafts and protects all artists and artisans.

24. Shastra/books –Ganesha edits all the Scriptures.

25. Kalpavriksha/wish-fulfilling tree – Ganesha has the power to gratify all the wishes of his devotees.

26. Parashavadha/battle axe – Ganesha can take strong measures to fulfill a righteous goal. The battleaxe is his mind force.

27. Mahaparashu/large axe – It can frighten asuras and ward off the malicious thoughts of those who wish to harm his devotees..

28. Trishul/trident – It represents his three-fold power – love, wisdom, and action.

29. Nariyal/coconut – It symbolizes the ego, soft and sweet inside, but hard and rough outside. By breaking a coconut to him, we break our ego’s hold on us.

30. Dhwaja/flag – This symbol draws his devotees toward him,

31. Bhagnadanta/broken tusk – As Vyasa’s scribe, Ganesha broke off his right tusk to use it as a stylus when taking dictation. It teaches us that we must finish what we start.

32. Pasanadharana (the pick axe) – Ganesha knows that trials await all people. To respond to prayers, he must pick away the mental dross.

33. Agni/ fire – It represents his fiery powers that can consume our dross and destroy our residual karmas.

34. Khadga/sword –His sword, inlaid with precious gems, warns those who respond only to fear of his enmity to crime and his dislike of hurting..

35. Phala/fruits –Ganesha enjoys all the Earth’s life-sustaining fruits. He wants everyone to stay healthy by consuming fruits.

36. Mulaka/radish –Ganesha loves the simple radish. He wants us to grow food that is good for us.

37. Kheaka/shield – It represents his power to defend the lands of the upright, to preserve traditions, and to protect all souls that are on the spiritual path..

38. Amra/mango – It was given to Ganesha by Shiva. It represents spiritual fruition.

39. Trtiyakshi/third eye – It symbolizes the highest spiritual vision that enables him to see reality.

40. Ratnakumbha/pot of gems – Precious gems are like human souls, each with a different color, beauty, and value.

41. Garitrah/grains – Ganesha protects all the grains that nourish all living beings.

42. Ikshukanda/Sugarcane – It represents the sweetness of life due to his blessings.

43. Madhu Kumbha/pot of honey – It represents the sweetness of Moksha.

44. Kadali phala/banana – To see the reality, the covering of ignorance must be removed.

45. Yoga Dhanda/meditation staff – It represents the importance of meditation.

46. Trina/ Kusha and Durva grasses - There are different kinds of animals, small and big. Each needs a special environment and food, so he protects grasses, small flowers, and seeds.

47. Sesame ball –Nothing is too small to be overlooked. Ganesha has a sweet made of tiny sesame seeds in his trunk, and his mount is a tiny mouse.

48. Shuka/parrot – It represents the importance of good speech.

49. Ananasa/pineapple – The outer covering may be rough, but what is inside is sweet.

50. Mushaka/mouse – It represents the all-pervasiveness of Ganesha. The mouse, his mount, can carry him into the mind’s every nook and cranny.

51. Swastika/mark of auspiciousness – It signifies good fortune, auspiciousness, and luck. Its crooked arms also show how life is filled with changes.

52. Om – The form of Ganesha is like the primordial sound, Om.

53. Sunda/elephant trunk –Ganesha has a versatile trunk. It represents his capacity to love His devotees. He uses it to reach out to them.

54. Nilapadma/blue water lily – Ganesha sits by a lily pond, pondering the current state of the universe. His duty is to ensure that all is in order until the next Great Dissolution or Mahapralaya.

55. Panashaphalam/jackfruit – Ganesha’s favorite is the jackfruit. It signifies that our attachments are strong, despite being small, like the jackfruit’s stem.

56. Prabhavali/fiery arch – It signifies creation, preservation, and fiery dissolution. Ganesha sits within it. Above it dwells Mahakala, the God of time.

57. Dalimb/pomegranate – People can be led astray by worldly people who eat flesh. Ganesha offers red dadimas as if to say that seeds are better than flesh.

58. Nagapasha/snake– W should be like Him and control our animal mind.

59. Kapittham/wood apple – The outer covering of the wood apple is rough, but inside there is powerful medicine.

60. Laddoo – It represents the sweetness of life.

61. Kavacha/armor – Ganesha is the protector of his devotees.

62. Shashikala/crescent moon – It represents the passing of time and the powers of the mind.

63. Gam Mantra – Devotees use it to invoke him. On hearing it, he responds instantly.

64. Yajnopavita/sacred thread –It reminds us that anyone can be twice born through His grace.

65. Jambuphalam/rose apple – It represents the path of health, love, and purity.

66. Payasam/sweet pudding –Milk, sugar, and rice combine to make the sweet. In life, we should find balance by combining different aspects of life.

67. Shakti/consort –Ganesha’s 2 consorts represent ida and pingala nadis, emotion and intellect, or Siddhi and Buddhi.

68. Muladhara Chakra – Ganesha rules memory and knowledge by sitting on the four-petaled Muladhara chakra. He is the gatekeeper to the 6 chakras above and the guard of the 7 below.

69. Vriksha/trees – They represent the power of plants and nature to cure all ailments.

70. Peacock/peacock feather – The peacock’s blue color symbolizes infinity.