In Hindu Iconography, positive aspects of the vehicle are often emblematic of the deity that it carries Nandi the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. Parvani the peacock, vehicle of Skanda, represents splendor and majesty. The hamsa, vehicle of Saraswati, represents wisdom, grace and beauty.
Seated on Mushika, Ganesh crushes useless thoughts, which multiply like rats in the dark. Shani the protector of property has a vulture, raven or crow in which he represses thieving tendencies.
Under Shani's influence, the vahana can make even malevolent events bring hope. While the god Ganesha was still a child, a giant mouse began to terrorize all his friends. Ganesha trapped him with his lasso and made him his mount. Ganesh, remover of obstacles, cannot go everywhere despite his elephant-like strength. However, his vehicle, Mushika the mouse or Ulaka the rat, can slide into the smallest crevice and overcome the greatest obstacles.
Before becoming the vehicle of Shiva, Nandi was a deity called Nandikesvara, lord of joy and master of music and dance. From half-man, half-bull, he became simply a bull. Since that time, he has watched over each of Shiva's temples, always looking towards him.
