Ganesh sculpture "the elephant God" sitting with book and halo, in resin (golden 8 cm)

Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, is the Divinity of wisdom and acumen, 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 - building his home, starting a love, a long journey, hiring a job - he asks Ganesh for protection and help to overcome difficulties on one's path.
The wealth of forms and attributes in its iconography reveal innumerable meanings.
The elephant head is a symbol of strength and great intellectual drive. Its proboscis symbolizes the intellect, while its broad ears symbolize the fact that anyone who wishes 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 broad belly then symbolizes the generosity of nature and the ability of the divinity 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 let yourself be overwhelmed by life. Any experience, positive or negative, should in fact be accepted with equanimity, with detachment and serenity.
The four arms of Ganesha symbolize the activity of God towards beings: in one hand he holds a snare, pasha, in another a hook, ankusha, meaning that Ganesha with one brings his devotees closer to him, 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 the broken fang of Ganesh: the meanings are different. If on the one hand 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 he is the one carrying it, showing that therefore a sage does not find anything disproportionate or ugly even in being accompanied by a mouse.
According to another interpretation, the mouse, apparently modest in appearance, indicates that in any body, however small, there is the Atman, the Consciousness. It teaches humility in this way, since Atman is the same in every living being.
In addition, on closer inspection, the mouse and the elephant have one thing in common: both, one because it is very impressive, the other because it is particularly minute, are able to overcome any obstacle.