A depiction of many armed dancing Ganesh in the style known as patachitra (paint and pen on silk), from Orissa provence, east India. Photo credit: Kashgar

Ganesh may be portrayed as standing, seated, in tantric yoga pose, dancing, crawling as a child (with his favourite laddoo sweet in one hand), or even seated on his mother's knee. When seated, he may be crossed legged or with one leg tucked under him in the position known as "royal ease". His mount or vehicle is usually the humble mouse, often shown at his feet looking adoringly up at him and offering a laddoo sweet in his paws. The combination of elephant and mouse represents the removal of all obstacles of any size and the ability of Ganesh to control even the most unpredictable of creatures and situations.