The ''gajasimha'' or ''gajasiha'' (from / ) is a mythical hybrid animal in

Hindu mythology Hindu mythology refers to the collection of myths associated with Hinduism, derived from various Hindu texts and traditions. These myths are found in sacred texts such as the Vedas, the Itihasas (the ''Mahabharata'' and the ''Ramayan ...

, appearing as a ''sinha'' or ''rajasiha'' (mythical lion) with the head or trunk of an elephant. It is found as a motif in Indian and Sinhalese art, and is used as a heraldic symbol in some Southeast Asian countries, especially

Cambodia Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline ...

and

Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

. In Siam (pre-modern Thailand), the ''gajasimha'' served as the symbol of the ''

kalahom Chatusadom or Catustambha ( , literally "Four Pillars" from Sanskrit language, Sanskrit ''Catur'' "Four" + ''Stambha'' "Pillars") was the Thai system of central executive governance during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thonburi Kingdom and Rattanakosin ...

'', one of the king's two chief chancellors. It appears as a

supporter In heraldry, supporters, sometimes referred to as ''attendants'', are figures or objects usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. Historically, supporters were left to an individual's free choice and were assu ...

in the coat of arms of Siam, in use from 1873 to 1910, and the royal arms of Cambodia, officially adopted in 1993.

Gallery

File:Throne leg depicting gajasimha, Ganga dynasty, 13th century, India, ivory - Freer Gallery of Art - DSC05225.JPG, Ivory throne leg,

Eastern Ganga dynasty The Eastern Ganga dynasty (also known as Purba Gangas, Rudhi Gangas or Prachya Gangas) were a large medieval era Indian royal Hindu dynasty that reigned from Kalinga from as early as the 5th century to the mid 20th century. Eastern Gangas rul ...

File:Sculpture of Gajasimha, Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh, India.jpg, Architectural motif, Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh, India File:Gajasimha-1.jpg, Lintel detail from Prasat Prei Kmeng,

Siem Reap Siem Reap (, ) is the second-largest city of Cambodia, as well as the capital and largest city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia. Siem Reap possesses French-colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter ...

, Cambodia File:Bkkwarundoor0205a.jpg, Door painting, Wat Arun, Thailand File:Gajasiha statue at Ministry of Defence Photographed by Trisorn Triboon.jpg, Statue,

Ministry of Defence A ministry of defence or defense (see American and British English spelling differences#-ce.2C -se, spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and Mi ...

, Thailand File:IMG 9092 Royal Crematorium King Rama9 Photographed by Trisorn Triboon.jpg, Royal crematorium of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand

In heraldry

File:Royal arms of Cambodia.svg, Royal arms of Cambodia File:Coat of arms of Siam (greater).svg, Coat of arms of Siam File:Emblem of the 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Own Bodyguard.svg, Coat of arms of the Thai 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Close Bodyguard File:Lanchakon - 027.jpg, Seal of the Minister of Defence, Siam File:Seal of the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand.svg, Emblem of the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand

References

Legendary creatures in Hindu mythology Mythological hybrids Heraldic beasts Cambodian legendary creatures Thai legendary creatures {{heraldry-stub

Gallery

In heraldry

See also

References