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© Sainsbury
Centre for Visual Arts, UEA |
Shiva is one of the three major gods of the Hindu religion. He is the most powerful of the gods.
This statue of Shiva has lots of symbols to help the worshipper. His ear-rings do not match because
they show male and female parts. The third eye in the centre of the
forehead is opened to destroy evil. He
wears a necklace, girdle and armlets as well. Across the chest can be seen the sacred thread
worn by all Brahmin Hindus. This Shiva has four arms, each carrying an
important symbol:
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the upper right hand carries an axe
(showing destruction) |
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the upper left hand an antelope
(showing man’s unsteady
mind which darts to and fro like an antelope in the forest) |
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the lower right hand shows
protection |
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the lower left hand points down
showing fate |
The statue
stands on a throne made of lotus petals, showing wisdom. The cobras twining round his arms
show cosmic energy. |
