The Dancing Shiva

Hinduism is one of the most popular practiced religions in the world today. As I tried to figure out what to use for this week's blog topic, I stumbled across one of my Art History books from last semester. The front cover of the book displayed a bronze statue of a figure with several active limbs and various embellishments. Hindu art plays a large role in their belief system as a visual representation of their gods and goddesses. Statues, mosaics, and paintings are usually created in honor to a specific deity or event.

One of the more wide spread pieces of art work of Hinduism is the bronze statue of the Dancing Shiva. Shiva is one of the major Hindu gods and is part of the Trimurti, along with Brahma and Vishnu. In the main belief system of The Trimurti, the three represent the aspects of essential forms of life: creation, maintenance, and death. Shiva is considered the god of destruction and death in this belief. The symbol of the Nataraj, or Dancing Shiva, is an important representation of balance and harmony, the motion and activity of the god shows a sense of rhythm. The symbol of the four hands are the four cardinal directions, and the raised leg represents triumph and victory.

Although there are many different interpretations of the symbolism of the objects that are held in each hand, the essence of death, enlightenment, and fearlessness are all the dominant meanings. The dancing pose is an important symbol of the relationship between life and death, and how both are meant to be a cosmic balancing aspect for each other.

The Dancing Shiva is a stunning piece of art work, the earliest representations dating back from twelfth century A.D. Since then, thousands of models and statues have been created from then. This statue is an important symbol of the Hindu religion, and the Indian culture.

Links:

Art History Notes

http://hinduism.about.com/od/lordshiva/p/nataraj.htm