The elephant is often seen as a symbol of strength, wisdom, and patience due to its size and longevity. In many cultures, elephants represent memory, intelligence, and power because of their long lifespan and complex social structures. In Buddhism, the elephant is seen as a symbol of mental strength. At the beginning of one's practice, the uncontrolled mind is symbolized by a gray elephant who can run wild any moment. After taming, it becomes a white elephant, ready to take on any duty.