What does the use of ‘Elephant’ as a motif in the Ashokan pillar symbolizes?

• A. Pride and Courage
• B. Purity and Fecundity
• C. Buddha\’s conception
• D. Departure of Siddhartha

Answer: (C)

Ashoka was a patron of Buddhism therefore he used many symbols that are relevant in Buddhism as motifs in the Ashokan pillar. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha entered his mother’s womb in the form of a white elephant.