Ganisha is a widely worshipped god in Hindu religion (you might have seen it before in pictures, tattoos, movies etc.) According to wikipedia Ganisha is the "remover of obstacles, patron of the arts and sciences, and deva of intellect and wisdom". Similar to Greek mythology (nine muses of art and inspiration) Ganisha is the god you would thank to, and ask for inspiration in the arts, such as writing, painting, sculpting and so on.
"Why an elephant head?"
Because of her elephant head she is easy to identify amongst Hindu gods. I read somewhere that the main reason why she looks like an elephant is because elephants are peaceful animals, although they are big and strong their nature is not violence. Elephants are matriarchal species that take care of old elephants and baby elephants and the eldest female of the pack is the one that guides them through their journeys. Elephants also have their own rituals of funeral and all this distinctive characteristics is what make them seem as if they had greater intelligence than other animals. Although I'm not sure if this is true I know that elephants are widely known for their memory and loving personality. Because of this attributes that makes this mammals so distinctive and peculiar I believe is why Ganisha is expressed this way (as an elephant looking god).
"Why is she missing a tusk?"
In Hindu religion, most of their religious art has a meaning that's meant to signify something. The tusk is supposed to be a symbol of letting go (or so I heard) as well as cleansing and getting rid of bad vibes. For example the tusk is supposed to represent strength because for elephants it is almost like a hand.
Although I am not sure of this info, again I don't want to make anybody furious, I am well aware of the danger this symbolisms have created for REAL ELEPHANTS I'm not saying Ganisha isn't real but it is a man made image and symbol that sadly has endangered elephants habitat. Because elephants are so mighty and beautiful, their tusks have been used for centuries to make pieces of art for many religious rituals and art decoration. It is so sad because from my personal perspective it goes completely against the Hindu and Buddhist teachings of mindfulness, respectfulness, and knowledge that many of the people who buy this "ritual tusks" are supposed to be following. It makes my heart ache to see those things because I don't think there is a god out there who would gratify the slaughter of any animal in such a way just for rituals, charms, decoration etc. Regardless of that I invite you to research more about this peculiar god.
The one below is my own representation of Ganisha, again I inspired my drawing on another artists piece. I made mines more feminine and made it into a white elephant with small tusks. I included a lotus because the symbolism of a lotus is so beautiful too (the struggle of blooming, and coming up to be something beautiful regardless of the struggle, blooming from the mud and overcoming all odds) Enjoy and again always create regardless of criticism towards your own art. At the end what is beauty but a definition made by people and not the greater knowledge. Create your own definition of beauty everyday, and don't forget to be happy.
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