Elephant Pair at the Entrance: Vastu Placement, Trunk and Size
Where to place a brass elephant pair by vastu: at the entrance facing in, trunk raised, either side of the door. Living room and office placement, sizes.
Custom places an elephant pair at the main entrance, one on either side of the door or together on the entrance console, both facing into the house. Trunk raised is the popular choice for this spot.
These placements come from vastu tradition and from long habit in Indian homes. They vary by school and by family, and no placement carries a promise. The practical points on weight and stability apply whatever you believe.
The short answer: a pair at the entrance, facing in
| Spot | Common practice | Size that suits |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance console | Pair, side by side or at the two ends, facing in | 2 to 4 inch |
| Floor beside the door | One each side of the door, facing in | 13 inch and above |
| Living room | North or east side, pair or single | 4 to 8 inch |
| Study or office desk | Single elephant | 2 to 4 inch |
A note on buying. Elephants in our catalogue are listed singly, not as boxed pairs. For a pair, order two of the same design. Some designs are cast facing one way only, so look at the photos before you plan a mirrored pair.
Trunk up or trunk down: what each is said to mean
Trunk up is read in popular custom as a greeting and a sign of good fortune, which is why it is chosen for the entrance. Trunk down is read as calm, steady and grounded, and is often picked for a study or bedroom. Both are traditional. Neither is wrong.
Trunk position is not written in our product titles. It is visible in the photos, so check them before ordering.
Entrance placement: inside or outside the door, height from floor
Inside the door is the safer choice for metal. Rain and damp air tarnish brass, and a piece outside the door can be carried off. If you do keep a pair outside, choose a covered porch.
Small pairs belong on a console or shelf at about waist height, where they are seen as you walk in. Large elephants stand on the floor, set back from the swing of the door so it does not strike them. Many families avoid placing any revered figure where feet brush past it, so a low plinth or wooden base is a common fix.
Living room, bedroom and study
Living room. Vastu tradition favours the north or east side of the room. A pair works on a centre table or sideboard.
Bedroom. A pair is the usual custom here, read as a symbol of companionship.
Study. A single elephant on the desk is common, linked with memory and with Ganesha.
Office and shop
In an office, an elephant usually sits on the desk or on a shelf near the cabin door, facing in. In a shop, a pair near the entrance or on the counter follows the same idea as the home entrance. Keep it clear of the till and of customers’ bags.
Size and weight for a console or floor
Our elephant range has 38 pieces from 1.2 to 28 inch, starting at ₹300. Twenty-seven are brass and eleven are aluminium. Weight runs from under 100 g for the smallest to over 16 kg for the large floor pieces. Every listing shows height and weight.
- Console or shelf: 2 to 4 inch. Check the shelf depth against the length of the elephant, which is often more than its height.
- Sideboard or centre table: 4 to 8 inch. At this size brass can pass 1 kg, so use felt pads under the feet to protect wood and glass.
- Floor: 13 inch and above. These are heavy. Two people should lift them, and the floor under them should be level.
Aluminium gives the same look at a fraction of the weight. It is the sensible choice for a wall shelf or a home with a lot of rearranging.
An elephant is a regular pick among housewarming gifts and brass wedding gifts. If you are setting up a new entrance, a brass tortoise and an urli with floating flowers are the other two pieces families often add.
What to avoid
- Elephants facing out of the door, by custom. Turn them to face in.
- A pair placed back to back or facing away from each other.
- Bathroom walls and damp corners. Moisture spots brass.
- Glass shelves that are not rated for the weight.
- Lemon, vinegar or brass powder on lacquered pieces. A dry soft cloth is enough.
