An elephant may seem like a silly topic to write an honors thesis about. For many people, an elephant is a mammal that can only be found in a zoo or circus. It's not something to treasure and cherish. It is a machine for moving logs across the country or for fighting wars. It is something to look at with adoration and wonder. It's something they never touch. They might even just be something from fairy tales and stories. The truth about elephants is that they are truly magical creatures that come from fairy tales and stories. They are creatures that have lived on Earth for millions of years. They lived when dinosaurs still walked the Earth and continue to survive today. People need to understand the importance of these amazing creatures. They must also understand the value these animals have in the lives of thousands of people, including mine. They represent a symbol of strength, hope, knowledge and thousands of other things. They have been depicted in gods and religions. Above all, for me they are a symbol of love and adoration. They remind me of a time when my father was still with me. This is why I'm writing my thesis. I plan to discuss the importance of elephants to many different religions and cultures. Elephants have been seen as gods, deities, symbols and are supportive to many different people. There are good reasons why elephants were chosen as gods, deities and symbols. These reasons are why so many different religions and cultures have used them as a symbol of their community and beliefs. These symbols all vary in meaning across different religions and cultures. Some cultures have transformed this belief into fear of the elephant. They fear being reprimanded... middle of paper... the yclopedia that helps start the investigation process. Secondly, I'm going to look at secondary sources. These secondary sources include magazine articles, blogs, and other websites. I have found many magazines and websites dedicated to understanding elephants. There are also many videos explaining animals as deities and festivals where elephants are present. Additionally, I plan to observe real phenomena, including artwork and human behavior around elephants. I also plan to observe behavior towards elephants and the impact they have had on my life. The elephant is a highly valued mammal in many different religions and cultures. The meaning of the symbol varies between each different religion and culture. Throughout this thesis I will share the results of my investigation to answer the eight research questions I discussed previously.