Third Eye: Shiva is often depicted with a third eye with which he burned Desire (Kāma) to ashes.

Serpents: Shiva is often shown garlanded with a snake.

Crescent: Shiva bears on his head the crescent of the fifth day (panchami) moon. This is placed near the fiery third eye and this shows the power of Soma, the sacrificial offering, which is the representative of moon. It means that Shiva possesses the power of procreation along with the power of destruction.[citation needed] The moon is also a measure of time; thus the Crescent also represents his control over time.[citation needed] Thus Shiva is known by the names of Somasundara and Chandrashekara.

Sacred Ganga: Ganga, the holiest of the holy rivers, flows from the matted hair of Shiva. Shiva allowed an outlet to the great river to traverse the earth and bring purifying water to human beings (See: Origin of Ganga). The flowing water is one of the five elements which compose the whole Universe and from which earth arises. Ganga also denotes fertility one of the creative aspect of Shiva.

Drum: A small drum shaped like an hourglass is known as a "damaru" (Sanskrit: ḍamaru).This is one of the attributes of Shiva in his famous dancing representation known as Nataraja. A specific hand gesture (mudra) called ḍamaru-hasta (Sanskrit for "ḍamaru-hand") is used to hold the drum. This drum is particularly used as an emblem by members of the Kāpālika sect.[48]

Vibhuti: Vibhuti is three lines of ashes drawn on the forehead that represents the essence of our Being, which remains after all the malas (impurities of ignorance, ego and action) and vasanas (likes and dislikes, attachments to one's body, world, worldly fame, worldly enjoyments, etc.) have been burnt in the fire of knowledge. Hence vibhuti is revered as the very form of Shiva and signifies the Immortality of the soul and manifested glory of the Lord.[citation needed]

Ashes: Shiva smears his body with ashes (bhasma). Some forms of Shiva, such as Bhairava, are associated with a very old Indian tradition of cremation-ground asceticism that was practiced by some groups who were outside the fold of brahmanic orthodoxy. These practices associated with cremation grounds are also menteioned in the Pali canon of Theravada Buddhism. One epithet for Shiva is "Inhabitant of the cremation ground" (Sanskrit: śmaśānavāsin, also spelled Shmashanavasin) referring to this connection.

Tiger skin: He is often shown seated upon a tiger skin.
Elephant and Deer Skin: Shiva also wears elephant skins. Similarly deer represent the jumping of minds (flickering mind). Shiva wears deer skin which indicates that he has controlled the mind perfectly.

Trident: (Sanskrit: Trishula) Shiva's particular weapon is the trident.
Nandi, the Bull, is his Vahana (Sanskrit for vehicle).

Lingam:Shiva is often worshipped in the form of a lingam. These are depicted in various forms. Also see: Jyotirlinga
Varanasi (Benares) is considered as the city specially-loved by Shiva, and is the holiest place of pilgrimage in northern India.


Mount Kailasha in the Himalayas is his traditional abode.

He is often represented as immersed in deep meditation.
He is said to eradicate Kama (sexual desire), Moha (material desire) and Maya (mundane thoughts) from his devotees' minds.

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