The significance of elephants in the culture and tradition of Thailand cannot be overemphasized as it is known as the national animal of the country. While elephants are generally believed to symbolize loyalty, strength, and longevity, some people consider them to mean good luck in Thailand. So, why do these people think elephant means good luck in Thailand?
As stated by lots of educated Thais on Quora, an elephant does not necessarily mean good luck in Thailand. These knowledgeable people noted that only the superstitious believe that an elephant means good luck in the country. However, this claim doesn’t mean that an elephant will still not symbolize good luck to a lot of individuals.
Considering the important roles that elephants played in the history of Thailand, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they can be seen as the symbol of luck. In fact, the animal has assisted Siam, as Thailand used to be called, in numerous ways. Below, we will take a closer look at why some people still consider an elephant to mean good luck in Thailand.
The significance of elephant and why it could mean good luck
- Elephants supposedly brought luck during war
In the past centuries, Asian elephants played a key role in historical wars fought by the Thais. Although Asian elephants are smaller than African ones, they are large enough to be intimidating to humans. Hence, it is not strange that they were employed by ancient Thais.
As described on Elephant Hills, these animals often led the Thai kings and warriors into battles. They would be used by the armies for breaking the ranks of the troops of their enemies. Consequently, elephants would bring fear upon the enemies and might even force them to make lots of mistakes. Notably, male elephants were mostly favored for this role due to their unparalleled aggressiveness.
According to some ancient Thais, the presence of elephants in the war brought more power and luck to the armies. Hence, elephants may still mean good luck today to a lot of individuals.
- The presence of a white elephant meant luck during a king’s reign
White elephants are rare to spot in any place around the world. According to the Royal Law, any white elephant found in Thailand belongs to the royal family, especially the king. Besides, the presence of a white elephant in Thailand must be immediately disclosed to the king. This ensures that the elephant is quickly identified and protected from any issue.
As a result of its rareness, the sighting of a white elephant during a king’s reign used to be viewed as a sign of prosperity and good luck.
- Elephants are known to represent justice
Elephants are often assumed to be the symbol of loyalty and justice in Thailand. An outdated Siamese tradition used to play a central role in determining whether justice has been served to an individual or not. Based on the tradition, a person will be kept in a rattan ball, and an elephant would kick it. The survival of such an individual would indicate that they can be forgiven. However, the death of the person would symbolize justice.
- Elephants are significant in the birth of Buddha
According to some teachings, Queen Maya (the mother of Buddha) dreamt that she was taken into the heavens. On her arrival in the heavens, a huge white elephant came to welcome her with a lotus flower. It suddenly disappeared and went into the ride part of her stomach. When she woke up from the dream, Queen Maya consulted some fortune-tellers who told her she would conceive and become the mother of a special baby (Buddha). Later, she realized that she had become pregnant. Therefore, a white elephant played in part in allowing her to realize her state.
- Elephants are significant to Indra
In Buddhism, Indra is regarded as the protector god. However, in Hinduism, he is known as the King of Heaven. This god is known for his love for riding a three-headed elephant called Erawan.
In addition, you should note that Indra is the patron protector of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. You can see the picture of this protector in the Bangkok Emblem.
As shown above, elephants have played various roles in the history and tradition of Thailand. Many of their roles involved bringing good fortune, prosperity, and good news to people. So, it should not be strange to you that the animals are considered to mean good luck by many Thais.
Today, elephants do not only mean good luck to some individuals in Thailand, but they also play an essential role in Thailand’s tourism. Numerous people flock into the country for tourism, and one of their favorite activities is elephant riding.
Where can you see elephants in Thailand?
Whether you believe elephants mean good luck or not, you can take the time to check them out during your visit to Thailand. The good news is that you don’t even need to go to the jungles to see these enormous animals. All thanks to some organizations that now have a shelter home, zoo, etc. for protecting these animals.
The Culture Trip says you can find and see elephants in the following places in Thailand:
- Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket
- Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital
- Elephant Nature Park in the Khao Sok National Park
- Elephant Hills in Kanchanaburi
- The Surin Project in Baan Tha Klang
- Into The Wild in Chiang Mai
- Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in Sukhothai
- Phang Nga Elephant Park in Phang Nga Province
- Samui Elephant Sanctuary in Koh Samui
- Elephants World in Kanchanaburi
- Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai
- Wildlife Friends Foundation in Phetchaburi
In conclusion, you should note that elephants mean good luck because of the various roles they have played in the tradition, culture, and beliefs of many ancient Thais. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to realize that lots of Thais do not believe that elephants mean good luck. They only view them as huge animals that need to be respected.
