All About Shiva, God of Destruction and Transformation

The symbolism of Shiva is rich and layered, reflecting his cosmic significance. In the form of Nataraja, the lord of the dance, he performs the Tandava, a dance that represents the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction.

With the trident, or trishula, he holds power over the three aspects of existence: creation, maintenance and destruction.

Shiva is often depicted with the crescent moon on his head, symbolizing the passage of time and immortality. His blue throat, known as Neelkanth, resulted from drinking the poison that emerged during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to save the universe.

Vasuki, the serpent around his neck, represents control over fear and the ego, while the drum, or damaru, is said to be the primordial sound of the universe.

Shiva is one of the most celebrated figures in Hindu mythology, with countless stories illustrating his divine power and wisdom.

In his role as a householder, he is married to Parvati, and this union of Shiva and his wife produces Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and Kartikeya, the god of war. These familial relationships reflect his balance between spiritual asceticism and worldly responsibilities.

He is also the ultimate yogi, meditating on the legendary Mount Kailash and detached from worldly desires.

Yet, Shiva is also known for his fiery temper, seen when he destroyed Kamadeva, the god of love, with the fire from his third eye. In the story of the churning of the ocean, Shiva drank the deadly poison to save the gods and demons, highlighting his selflessness and role as a protector of the universe.

Shiva is worshipped in the form of the lingam, an abstract representation of his divine energy. This symbol signifies his creative and generative powers, central to the cycle of life and death.

Maha Shivaratri, one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Shiva, is a night of devotion, prayer and meditation.

For the Shaivites, followers of Shaivism, Shiva is the supreme being, encompassing all aspects of divinity. Worship often includes offerings of water, milk and bilva leaves to the Shiva lingam.

It is believed that through devotion to Shiva and meditation on his attributes, one can achieve liberation, or moksha, from the cycle of birth and rebirth (in Buddhism, this state of transcendence is known as nirvana).

Shiva is the embodiment of paradoxes, serving as both the ascetic and the householder. In his ascetic form, he renounces all material possessions and meditates in the Himalayas. Simultaneously, he is the lord of fertility, symbolizing creation and life.

In the form of Nataraja, Shiva is the one who keeps the eternal rhythms of the universe. It is his dance that sets the cosmos into motion, ensuring the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction continues.

Through this dynamic role, Shiva and his many forms are associated with the profound philosophies of balance, renewal and liberation in Hindu thought.

We created this article with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.