Gajasimha

Gajasimha sculpture, Museum of Cham Sculpture, Danang, Vietnam

The gajasimha or gajasiha (from Sanskrit: gaja+siṃha / Pali: gaja+sīha) is a mythical hybrid animal in Hindu mythology, appearing as a sinha or rajasiha (mythical lion) with the head or trunk of an elephant. It is found as a motif in Indian and Sinhalese art, and is used as a heraldic symbol in some Southeast Asian countries, especially Cambodia and Thailand. In Siam (pre-modern Thailand), the gajasimha served as the symbol of the kalahom, one of the king's two chief chancellors. It appears as a supporter in the coat of arms of Siam, in use from 1873 to 1910, and the royal arms of Cambodia, officially adopted in 1993.

Gallery

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  Ivory throne leg, Eastern Ganga dynasty
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  Architectural motif, Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh, India
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  Lintel detail from Prasat Prei Kmeng, Siem Reab, Cambodia
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  Door painting, Wat Arun, Thailand
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  Statue, Ministry of Defence, Thailand
• 
  Royal crematorium of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand

In heraldry

• 
  Royal arms of Cambodia
• 
  Coat of arms of Siam
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  Coat of arms of the Thai 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Close Bodyguard
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  Seal of the Minister of Defence, Siam
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  Emblem of the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand

See also

• List of legendary creatures in Hindu mythology
• Yali (mythology)