Symbolism of SHIVA !

What does Shiva Symbolize?

What is the meaning of Different Ornaments [things] on the body of Lord Shiva?

These are few things which come to the mind of every individual when we look at Lord Shiva as he is the only god who was born in a Grave yard and have never believed in having belief in ornaments, and have never worn any, yet he is with few things on him which are definitely worth Knowing about them

It has now become really important to the current generation to know the importance of different things on God Shiva, as to create awareness on the greatness and also to create the spiritual awareness

Below is the importance of each and single ornament which Lord Shiva Carries with him

• Trishula

Trishula is one of the weapons which Lord Shiva Carries with him along with his power, it is the same which was used to separate the head of Lord Ganesha during his fight with lord Shiva and was later replaced with the head of Elephant

The Trishula has three parts to it, it the Trident, the three parts represent three powers of lord Shiva i.e. THE KNOWLEDGE, THE DESIRE, The IMPLEMENTATION

• Ash on his Body

Lord Shiva’s Body is always found to be powdered with Ash, it represents real truth of life where everybody has to end their life in fire [Lord Shiva was born in a graveyard and have lived his life there with ash of dead bodies powdered on his body.]

• Drum in Trishul

The drum represents the sounds which are of VEDAs, and the scriptures; which would help humans to live through this life in a better form

• Goddess Ganga

AS lord Shiva has taken the halahala into his throat to save the world, which came out during the process of sagara madhanam, all the gods started offering water to god to reduce the effect of halahala

Ganges is the Holy River and it also signifies the great Teachings by spreading wisdom and offering purest water to the humans; adding to its Water from Ganges is used for all the Rituals performed to lord Shiva.

• Moon

Moon on the Head of Lord Shiva Symbolized to say that Lord Shiva is the Time and he is Timeless and he is the ETERNAL reality of this world and way beyond the Time

• Serpent

Lord Shiva’s neckline is always found with a Snake rounded on his neck, if seen clearly the Serpent [snake] is rounded Three times on this neck, symbolizing the entire series of this universe

The First Circle Representing the “PAST”, the Second turn representing The “PRESENT” the Third circle for “FUTURE”. The snake also signifies the Ego which only the one who has mastered with it can wear it. 

It is the sign of maximum accomplishment and be in command on his mind and ego.

• Rudraksha

Rudraksha is the symbol of Purity and known for its own power on human bodies, the mala in the hands of lord Shiva represents or symbolizes the level of concentration and control which Lord Shiva possesses

• Third Eye

Lord Shiva is normally known as three eyed god, as he has three eyes unlike all other gods

The Right and left eyes are as normal as others, adding to it he has one more eye on his Forehead it is in the form of Large Oval shape

The right and left eye represent the Sun and the moon, where as the third eye is the eye of knowledge and it is eye for wisdom, if opened it would destroy the evils into ashes

• Tiger Skin

Lord Shiva is always depicted by sitting on the Tiger Skin, Tiger is the wild animal or it can also be said as force which normal human beings are scared to face it; as Lord Shiva is the Time, he is force, he is the creator of this world, lord Shiva sitting on the Tiger skin symbolizes to say he is FEARLESS and has conquered the Forces of this world