Ganesh has been conferred with unique physical attributes. He has a huge body, the head of an elephant, he rides a mouse and has a twisted trunk. All of these attributes symbolise certain principles that govern our lives. It is this intricate blending of symbolic principles that go on to create the image of Ganesh as we know and revere.

Ganesha as Mahakaya
Ganesh's huge body, symbolises the entire universe. Gods and all living things and all the manifestations of Nature are encompassed within it. Ganesha in the form of Vishwaroopa where his body covers the whole universe shows the importance of this deity who is the Universe itself.

Ganesha the Gajanan
Ganesha's large elephant head symbolises wisdom, strength and intellectual prowess. Just as the elephant is powerful yet gentle creature Ganesh too is both immensely powerful and yet the gentlest of all gods. His large winnow shaped elephant ears symbolise the ability to sift the bad from the good, like the winnow which separates the grain from the chaff. His large ears also point out that Vedic thought and ideas can be learnt only when listened to at the feet of a guru. They then have to be pondered upon for which wisdom, symbolised by his large head, is necessary.

Ganesha the Vakratund
Ganesha's trunk symbolises the ability to use discrimination - viveka in every action of life. The elephant uses its trunk to push down a massive tree, carry huge logs to the river and for other heavy tasks. The same huge trunk is used to pick up a few blades of grass, to break a small coconut, remove the hard nut and eat the soft kernel inside. The biggest and minutest of tasks come within the range of this trunk which is symbolic of Ganesha's intellect and its powers of discrimination.

Ganesha the Ekadanta
Ganesha's trunk symbolises the ability to use discrimination - viveka in every action of life. The elephant uses its trunk to push down a massive tree, carry huge logs to the river and for other heavy tasks. The same huge trunk is used to pick up a few blades of grass, to break a small coconut, remove the hard nut and eat the soft kernel inside. The biggest and minutest of tasks come within the range of this trunk which is symbolic of Ganesha's intellect and its powers of discrimination.

Ganesha the Lambodar
Ganesha's large belly shows that God is never appeased or pleased by wealth. (Ganesha ate everything he could at a feast in Kubera's- the god of wealth house but was not satiated till Shiva gave him a fistful of grain, which in its love and simplicity quenched his hunger.) The huge belly also signifies that Ganesha swallows the sorrows of the Universe and protects the world. The awkward and corpulent body of Ganesha is symbolic of God's lesson to us that beauty of the outward form has no connection with inner beauty and spiritual perfection.

Ganesha the Mooshak Vaahan
The mouse, Ganesha's vehicle, is a rodent of great nuisance.It is shown at the feet of his master constantly nibbling away. The mouse symbolises the petty desires of men which nibble away at their personalities and their inner selves. Ganesh by riding this vehicle shows that wisdom is in overcoming all pettiness.