Description
Hand cast Shiva Lingam. Ten faces with a temple top forming this amazing shiva lingam as a model of temple Shikhara. A mandala pattern at the bottom of the sculpture. A beautiful piece and in great condition. Originally from India. One piece only.
Images of Shiva are of two kinds — iconic (anthropomorphic) and aniconic. The former represents Shiva as a human being while the latter envisages an abstract origin for him. In this manner is Shiva different from all other deities. Shiva grants both enjoyment and spiritual release. As an icon, he has the body of man, but in his aniconic form, he is visualized as the cosmic pillar. Yet this pillar also evokes his phallus. Shiva lingam, sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or an iconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva. It symbolize the union of the feminine and the masculine that recreates all living beings.
As an abstract shape, the pillar symbolizes a purely conceptual reality that cannot be sensed in material terms. Visually, however, the shape of the cylindrical pillar with a rounded top resembles that of the phallus. Also, when the time came for Shiva to reveal himself to both Brahma and Vishnu, he did so in the form of a lingam. Therefor, people believe that Shiva Lingam is also a symbol of Satya (Truth), Jnana (Knowledge), and Ananta (Infinity).
The Ten-faced Shiva-lingam Modeled as a Temple Shikhara
The lingam is an object of the greatest sanctity, more sacred than any anthropomorphic image of Shiva. Not surprisingly thus, the innermost sanctuary of all Shiva temples is reserved for the lingam, while the outer precincts of the sacred architecture may show him in his human form. Indeed, though his iconic images abound, no such image ever occupies the center of attention in a Shiva temple, this honor is reserved exclusively for Shiva’s lingam.
Dimensions: 4″ x 4″ x 7″
