mouse (vehicle of Ganesha)

E117380

The mouse, serving as the divine vehicle (vahana) of the Hindu god Ganesha, symbolizes humility, agility, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

All labels observed (2)

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf mythological animal
symbolic vehicle
vahana
appearsIn Ganesha paintings
Ganesha statues
Ganesha temple art
Hindu iconography
artForm calendar art
painting
sculpture
temple relief
associatedWithDeity Ganesha
culturalContext Hindu devotional practice
Indian culture
depictedWithObject sometimes shown near a bowl of sweets (modaka)
foundInRegion Hindu diaspora communities
India
Nepal
Sri Lanka
foundInTradition Ganapatya tradition
Shaivism
iconographicPosition sometimes shown looking up at Ganesha
usually placed near Ganesha’s feet
languageName Sanskrit: mushika
Sanskrit: shrew or mouse
mountOf Ganesha
relatedConcept vahana symbolism in Hinduism
relatedTo Ganesha as remover of obstacles
religion Hinduism
represents control over base instincts
the ability to move through darkness
the mind’s restlessness harnessed by wisdom
roleInNarrative companion of Ganesha
servant and vehicle of Ganesha
roleInRitual often represented as a small figure before Ganesha idols
symbolizes ability to overcome obstacles
agility
conquest of ego
desire under control
humility
penetrating mind
sharpness of intellect
the ability to reach hidden places
timePeriod continues in contemporary Hindu practice
worship attested in medieval Hindu art
typicalDepiction mouse sometimes shown carrying Ganesha
small mouse at Ganesha’s feet
worshipContext Ganesha worship

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Ganesh Chaturthi associatedSymbol mouse (vehicle of Ganesha)
Ganapatya tradition usesIconography mouse (vehicle of Ganesha)
this entity surface form: Ganesha with mouse (vahana)