The lucky elephant with its trunk held high

Why an elephant

Across South and Southeast Asia, elephants have long been linked with strength, memory and royal ceremony, and in Hindu tradition the elephant-headed Ganesha is a figure of new beginnings. Today the small elephant is a friendly shelf figure in Latin America and Brazil, where it is easy to find in craft shops, markets and gift stores.

The trunk-up rule

The common folk idea is that a raised trunk is like a hand lifted to pour out blessings, while a lowered trunk is said to hold luck in. You may also hear the opposite explanation, that a raised trunk means something is about to spill. The trunk-up version is the one that sells widely, and it is fine to choose whichever pose you like best. These are popular sayings, not fixed rules.

Where people place them

• On a shelf near the front door, facing in or out depending on the family habit.
• On a desk or workspace as a steady, reassuring figure.
• On a bookcase or mantel as part of a group, often in graduated sizes.
• In a child's room as a toy and decoration.

Sets of three and other habits

Many families prefer groups of small elephants in a row, with the biggest at one end. The number three and seven come up in casual advice, though no single custom is universal. A pair at the entryway is also a common arrangement, with one elephant on each side as if standing guard.

Thinking about the animal

Real elephants are endangered, and illegal ivory trade has harmed wild herds. Choose figures made of wood, resin, ceramic or metal, and avoid anything that claims to be ivory. As a gift, an elephant figure signals warmth and patience, with the understanding that it is a decoration and a symbol rather than a source of luck.