Lingadhyaksha, Pranava Shiva
Hare Shiva, Mahadeva
 

 

 

Shiva is one of the most important deities of Hinduism. He has many aspects, most of which are paradoxical associations of opposing themes. One of the most popular is his role as Creator and Destroyer. Through the dance of Tandeva, Shiva destroys the universe to rebuild it anew through the dance of Lasya. This seemingly contradictory process represents well the positive nature of the god: even when destruction is involved in his doing, it is but a cathartic movement towards rebirth.

 

Shiva, along with his many aspects, possesses more than 100 titles (or attributes) that describe both his characteristics and his deeds. In the sacred representations of the Lord, these titles are of prime importance and even tho they're never depicted all together, many of them often appear in the same image to give the multi faceted god the intended characterization.

 

 

 

 

The sound "OM" is the sound of God itself, an all-encompassing, mystical syllable and the most widespread symbol of Hinduism. In some way it can be defined as the very name of God and it's the first vibration in the dance of creation. Shiva bears the "OM" on the palm of his open hand as he's the Omkara, the Creator of OM, and therefore of all things.

 

 

 

 

The Damaru is a traditional, two headed drum of Hinduism. Lord Shiva plays the Damaru in order to create all things through Lasya, the creative aspect of his dance. The name Nataraja defines him as the Lord of the Dance.

 

 

 

 

All things in the Hindu natural universe, or Prakrti, are divided into three kinds, or Gunas: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Trishula, the trident symbolizes the control of Shrutiprakasha Shiva over the three Gunas, and therefore the whole universe.

 

 

 

 

Shiva Pinakapani holds Pinaka, the divine bow that can unleash Pashupatastra, the most powerful weapon of Lord Shiva, capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings.

 

 

 

 

Vasuki is the snake that Lord Shiva wears around his neck and its spires represent the flow of time. Such is Shiva's control over time that he is not subject to it. Shiva is often represented along with many snakes and Vasuki is the most important: by drinking its deadly poison, Shiva became blue-throated and defeated an otherwise certain death.

 

 

 

 

The skin of the tiger is the depiction of Mahashaktimaya Shiva's control over Shakti, the universal energy of Hinduism often represented with a raging tiger.  Shiva is above and dominates all energy.

 

 

 

 

The Lingam is the embodiment of the concept of masculine energy and one of the most important symbols of Lord Shiva. The union of the Lingam and the Yoni (symbol of Shakti, female creative energy) is the process through which all life originates.

 

 

 

 

Shiva is often referred to as the Tryambaka Deva, the three-eyed Lord. His third eye, in the middle of his forehead, symbolizes wisdom