Elephant part 1

The elephant is a very large animal of the mammal classification. The elephant is considered one of the few animals that survive today from pre-historic times. It is believed the elephants walked the earth at the same time the dinosaurs did. Elephants are the largest of all land animals on the planet and are considered to not have any natural predators, however they can fall pray if one is weak, sick or small and left behind or separated from the heard. Human beings tend to have a fascination with elephants that is not new. Elephants have symbolized good luck, prosperity and wisdom to people of different cultures. Elephants have also been used for their sheer size and strength in human interactions where they are used even in times of war. There are sculptures, paintings and different art or symbolic depictions of elephants collected by people from differing cultures or economic backgrounds that is an indication of the varying social and or cultural perception of the elephant.

I decided to write on the elephant mainly because I have always liked them. They may be considered my favorite animal. I think I was drawn to their majestic appeal, they seem so big and powerful. I also have quite a few pieces of elephant art, namely sculptures, usually in groupings of a family or herd and typically but not limited to their trunks turned upward to the sky because I was told that an upward turned trunk brings or symbolizes good luck. The fact is elephants have been a fascination of mine for a long time and I am sure for many other people from all over the world as well. One of the things I love about elephants is there form and structure, they simply seem powerful to me. I have also always wondered why when I see elephants depicted in a movie or on television for the most part the elephant is always doing some form of work or performing for humans. It seems we has humans are dependent on or idolizes these physically powerful animals. However the relationship humans have with the elephant is not the same all around. Different people around the world have varying relationships with the elephant in their own individual cultures. The purpose of this paper is to explore the different ways in which the elephant is treated, interacted with or symbolized by people around the world, learning more about my favorite animal as I go.