If the facts of a precedent (of a higher court in the same hierarchy) are similar to the facts of a present case, a court must apply or follow the ratio decidendi (the legal reason behind a ruling).1  When there is no reasonable distinction, it is ' followed '.f the facts of a precedent (of a higher court in the same hierarchy) are similar to the facts of a present case, a court must apply or follow the ratio decidendi (the legal reason behind a ruling).
The Elephant as Symbol in Chinese Art. The elephant in Chinese art is a symbol of strength and wisdom. It also bears some reference to Buddhism as the elephant is a sacred animal in Buddhist traditions. In. the Buddha is sometimes depicted riding an elephant, which may reference the religionâs origin as transported from.
Some Asian cultures also believe the elephant is a cosmic creature, and carries the world upon its back (much like the tortoise does in some tribal Native American myths). This is yet another nod to the power and persistence in the symbolic meaning of elephants.