Why did Salvador Dalí paint elephants?

Salvador Dalí painted elephants as a symbol of strength and the subconscious mind. The elongated legs of the elephants, often depicted in a surreal manner, represent the fragility of structures and ideas, contrasting with their inherent power. Additionally, the elephants are often associated with themes of dreams and the subconscious, reflecting Dalí's fascination with the surreal and the bizarre aspects of reality. Through this imagery, he explored the interplay between perception and imagination.