Gajasimha

The gajasimha or gajasiha (from Sanskrit: gaja+siṃha / Pali: gaja+sīha) is a mythical hybrid animal in Hindu mythology, 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,^[1] and is used as a heraldic symbol in some Southeast Asian countries, especially Cambodia and Thailand. In Siam (pre-modern Thailand), the gajasimha served as the symbol of the kalahom, one of the king's two chief chancellors. It appears as a supporter in the coat of arms of Siam, in use from 1873 to 1910, and the royal arms of Cambodia, officially adopted in 1993.

Gallery

• 
  Ivory throne leg, Eastern Ganga dynasty
• 
  Architectural motif, Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh, India
• 
  Lintel detail from Prasat Prei Kmeng, Siem Reab, Cambodia
• 
  Door painting, Wat Arun, Thailand
• 
  Statue, Ministry of Defence, Thailand
• 
  Royal crematorium of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand

In heraldry

• 
  Royal arms of Cambodia
• 
  Coat of arms of Siam
• 
  Coat of arms of the Thai 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Close Bodyguard
• 
  Seal of the Minister of Defence, Siam
• 
  Emblem of the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand

See also

• List of legendary creatures in Hindu mythology
• Yali (mythology)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gajasimha.

• v
• t
• e

• v
• t
• e