Religious or cultural meaning? - Solved!

[Patrol]

Found this on the beach. It's about and 1 1/2" tall and made of brass (unfortunately). It has a face on one side and an elephants' head on the other. I suspect it is of Indian (India) origin. It thought I saw somewhere that it had a cultural or religious meaning. Anyone know?

Sorry about the picture - I used a scanner.

TE

 

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[ivan salis]

Re: Religious or cultural meaning?

(from india)---hindu -- god --ganesha --- elephant head / mankind combo icon most likely ---good chance it was buried on purpose -- as part of a asking for blessing or memorail act maybe.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Religious or cultural meaning?

uh oh. now you have to go rebury it.

 

[Patrol]

Re: Religious or cultural meaning?

Thanks Ivan, good work. I researched Ganesha and found he is the Hindu God of Success and the remover of obstacles to success and the placer of obstacles in front of evil and bad luck. (does both)

In his celebration - "On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man. All join in this final procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesha, come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it. " Hence being on the beach. He was immersed by a believer. I hope it worked.

He is a good guy and can only do me good. He is a keeper.

Thanks
TE

 

[ivan salis]

glad to be of help-- now you know what it is / represents -- under various differant religions many folks think it bad luck to keep "pagan" idols in their home (christains esp are taught not to keep "pagan" idols in their homes) --statues of "foreign gods" that they do not believe in --- others think it "bad luck" to disturb the holy rites of others by "removing" a religious object placed by another during their religious celebration (in effect removing his blessing)-- while others see it as once the object preforms its "symbolic duty" --it is just an plain old object again. -- yes by the hindu's belief system -- Ganesha is a blesser (removes problems stopping you from success) or protector (blocker of) against evil or bad luck --under their beleief system hes as you say "a good" guy

 

[Patrol]

Damned if I do and Damned if I don't! Geez Ivan, I won't be able to sleep tonight. Do you have any good news?

TE

 

[ivan salis]

actually yes I do have "good news"-- if you have no religious "problems" with keeping a foreign "idol" god in your home and do not believe your disturbing the other persons religious celebration by removing it (thus removing his blessing that he was asking for)--then keep it by all means -- however if either of these ideals "bother" you -- since you did not know what it was at the time you would not be accountible for "removing it" -- however now that you know about it and what it means things are differant --ain't knowledge a great thing? to get "right" simply return it to where you got it -- say opps I;m sorry -- and walk away --(you can thank me later)--- sorry but you "asked" --- Ivan

 

[Tricia]

Well, did you put it back?

Seems like stealing someone's wish.

Remember the scene from "Goonies" where they are in the wishing well and one of the kids starts to take all the coins but one of the girls stops him and says you can't do that, you're stealing other people's wishes?

He finds one coin and takes it and says well this is my wish, and it didn't come true, so I'm takin' it back.


Me? I'd feel guilty after learning about the object and put it back. Even if I didn't believe it was someone else's wish.

On the other hand, maybe it was my fate to find the little idol and it was meant for me to bring me good fortune and protection.

Yup...give and take, give and take.

 

[Patrol]

Whether or not to keep Ganesha is something still being discussed. Is it fate that we found it and was it meant to be? Were we destined to learn more about what he represents or are we interfering in someones religious ceremony?

I am leaning towards putting it back because after some soul searching I realized that to me it is just a "trophy" and a good story, but for someone else it was a solemn prayer.

Thanks everyone for opening my mind and seeing the situation from a different point of view.

TE

 

[ivan salis]

you can have the best of both worlds -- take a photograph of you with it -- then simply go put it back -- that way you still got the proof of the find and an interesting story to tell --without feeling your messing with some ones prayers.-- that way you can show the photo and tell the story and feel good about it still -- (think of it as a learning experance --you found out about your feelings about things --and about anothers religious beliefs too in the process) ---Ivan

it could be thought of as a test of sorts --is it more important to you to have a "what not trophy" or is it more important to you not to disturb anothers religious celebration? -- after its use what status does it have ? in your veiw is it a holy item or just a hunk of brass once its done its symbolic duty ? -- would a church cross in thrown in the sea and then recovered later --no longer be a holy symbol or is it holy item forever by its very nature / symbolism?

 

[ivan salis]

and many blessings upon you for being a thoughful person with repect for others and their feelings -- you have a cool story to tell and still did the right thing --the best of both worlds --- Ivan

 

[Steeler Fan]

Kudos to you for returning it! YOU did a good deed and I am sure you will be rewarded for it. I expect you to have a VERY nice find shortly!

 

[True_Metal]

Keep it.

Just dont wear it around your neck while surfing