11 cm brass sculpture of Ganesh "the elephant god" sitting

Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, is the divinity of wisdom and insight, and is also worshiped as the one who removes obstacles, defends good deeds and sows difficulties on the path of the wicked. In fact, when a person has to throw himself into a new business, start something important - the construction of his own home, the beginning of a love, a long journey, hiring in a job - it is Ganesh that he asks for protection. and help to overcome difficulties on your path.
The wealth of forms and attributes in his iconography reveal innumerable meanings.
The elephant head is a symbol of strength and great intellectual drive. Its trunk symbolizes the intellect, while its large ears symbolize the fact that anyone wishing to obtain knowledge should speak less, and listen more.
Its prominent belly contains the entire universe and the serpent wrapped around it is the energy that sustains the cosmos.
The large belly then symbolizes the generosity of nature and the divinity's ability to swallow the pains of the universe, giving a happy life and a world protected from evil. The rounded abdomen is therefore a symbol of patience and contentment, as well as an exhortation not to be overwhelmed by life. Any experience, whether positive or negative, should in fact be welcomed with equanimity, detachment and serenity.
The four arms of Ganesha symbolize the activity of God towards beings: in one hand he holds a lace, pasha, in another a hook, ankusha, meaning that Ganesha with one brings his devotees closer to himself, welcoming them in his Grace, while with the other he removes any danger or adversity from them. The third hand, stretched forward, performs the gesture known as varada mudra, which shows the act of giving. Finally, the fourth hand, with the gesture of abhaya mudra, soothes fear by assuring men that God is above all fear, since he has transcended the limits of time and death.
Another particular element is Ganesh's broken tusk: the meanings are different. While it can symbolize the ability to break duality, an ancient story tells of how Ganesh in the service of a greater god was taking notes, but realizing that he was writing too important things, he broke a fang to continue writing , showing that there is not too great a sacrifice for the attainment of knowledge.
At his feet then, in conclusion, there is a mouse. There are those who claim that it is he who carries it, demonstrating that therefore a sage does not find anything disproportionate or ugly even in being accompanied by a mouse.
According to another interpretation, the apparently modest-looking mouse indicates that the Atman, Consciousness, dwells in any body, however minute. In this way he teaches humility, since Atman is the same in every living being.
Furthermore, on closer inspection, the mouse and the elephant have one feature in common: both, one because they are very impressive, the other because they are particularly small, are able to overcome any obstacle.