<p>Hindu deities have particular vehicles or &#39;vahana&#39; on which they travel. These vehicle, which are either animals or birds, represent the various forces that he or she rides. These deities are seldom depicted without their corresponding creatures.</p><h3>Vehicles as Symbols</h3>Goddess <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/saraswati-goddess-of-knowledge-and-arts-1770370" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">Saraswati</a>&#39;s vehicle, the graceful and beautiful peacock denotes that she is the controller of the pursuit of performing arts. <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/an-introduction-to-lord-vishnu-1770304" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">Vishnu</a> sits on the primal serpent, which represents the desire of consciousness in humankind. <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/lord-shiva-basics-1770459" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3">Shiva</a> rides the Nandi bull, which stands for the brute and blind power, as well as the unbridled sexual energy in man - the qualities only he can help us control. His consort Parvati, <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/ten-days-with-the-mother-goddess-1770197" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="4">Durga</a> or <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/kali-the-dark-mother-1770364" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="5">Kali</a> rides on a lion, which symbolizes mercilessness, anger and pride - vices she can help her devotees check. <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/ganesha-lord-of-success-1770445" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="6">Ganesha</a>&#39;s carrier, a mouse represents the timidity and nervousness that overwhelm us at the onset of any new venture - feelings that can be overcome by the blessings of Ganesha.<p>Below is a list of Hindu gods and goddesses who are inseparably linked with their respective &#39;vahanas&#39;:</p><ul><li>Aditya - seven horses</li><li> Agni - the ram</li><li>Brahma - seven swans</li><li> <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/the-history-and-origin-of-durga-puja-1770159" data-inlink="-LG-SH5VOLeWbndMMJK37w&#61;&#61;" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="7">Durga -</a> the lion</li><li>Ganesha - the mouse</li><li>Indra - the elephant</li><li>Kartikya - the peacock</li><li>Lakshmi - the owl</li><li>Saraswati - the swan or the peacock</li><li>Shakti - the bull</li><li>Shani - the crow</li><li>Sheetala - the donkey</li><li>Shiva - Nandi, the bull</li><li>Varuna - seven swans</li><li>Vayu - a thousands horses</li><li>Vishnu - Garuda, the eagle &amp; Adi Shesha, the serpent</li><li>Vishwakarma - the elephant</li><li>Yama - the male buffalo</li></ul>