I started this journey by being interested in the execution by elephant suggested in the Jataka story of the elephants who refused to take part in the execution of the group of virtuous men who had been falsely accused of crimes.Execution by Elephant:
This means of execution was normally used by rulers in Asian and East Asian countries. The ruler's display of power, wealth, and authority through using elephants was effective over many centuries. It is thought that it came into practice because although they have the power to squish us, elephants are very docile and trainable. The practice was used to reinforce the idea of divine right to the throne, as any ruler using elephants was seen to not only have power over men, but given the ability to control beasts as well.
White Elephant:
I came to this article because many of the elephants used by royalty in recorded history were white, or albino. Originally, their whiteness was equated with purity and the blessing of the gods on the ruler. There are current Asian and East Asian rulers that still consider it a status symbol to own the most white elephants.
Indra:
I moved on to this page because he was mentioned as normally writing some variation of a white elephant in the mythology surrounding him. He's a god that equates to the Norse Thor or Odin, or the Greek Zeus. Throughout the centuries, his myths gradually took away his power and he became a lesser god.
Bimaran Casket:
This page came up because it was one of the first artistic expressions of Indra as an important deity. He is portrayed as one of the gods flanking the Buddha on the casket. This casket, or reliquary, is unique in the positioning and clothing of Buddha, but still regarded as an extremely important archeological piece.
This means of execution was normally used by rulers in Asian and East Asian countries. The ruler's display of power, wealth, and authority through using elephants was effective over many centuries. It is thought that it came into practice because although they have the power to squish us, elephants are very docile and trainable. The practice was used to reinforce the idea of divine right to the throne, as any ruler using elephants was seen to not only have power over men, but given the ability to control beasts as well.
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| Here is a representation of the public execution by elephant. |
White Elephant:
I came to this article because many of the elephants used by royalty in recorded history were white, or albino. Originally, their whiteness was equated with purity and the blessing of the gods on the ruler. There are current Asian and East Asian rulers that still consider it a status symbol to own the most white elephants.
Indra:
I moved on to this page because he was mentioned as normally writing some variation of a white elephant in the mythology surrounding him. He's a god that equates to the Norse Thor or Odin, or the Greek Zeus. Throughout the centuries, his myths gradually took away his power and he became a lesser god.
Bimaran Casket:
This page came up because it was one of the first artistic expressions of Indra as an important deity. He is portrayed as one of the gods flanking the Buddha on the casket. This casket, or reliquary, is unique in the positioning and clothing of Buddha, but still regarded as an extremely important archeological piece.
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