Happy Maha Shiv-Ratri and Symbolism in Lord Shiva's image

The images of Hindu Gods, such as Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesh, Sarasvati, and Durga, etc. are not their actual portraits - they are symbolic. The ancient rishis - scholars of India used metaphorical language and symbolic images to convey their messages. To understand the Hindu ideology, we need to know its symbolism.
About fifteen years ago, on the occasion of Maha Shiv-Ratri in Nashville, I explained the symbolism of Lord Shiva's image according to my understanding. Recently, some people asked me to repeat that. So, I am posting it here for the benefit of the readers.

Lord Shiva is considered Adi-Yogi and Adi-Guru. 
Both the terms - Yogi and Guru are synonyms in some ways. 

Yogi means united - the one who has achieved enlightenment - 

and Guru means one who provides the light of Gyana by removing the veil of ignorance. 
A Guru cannot be a real Guru if he is not an Enlightened Yogi himself. 

Similarly, a yogi will be selfish if he does not help others to achieve what he has accomplished.

Therefore Shiva is Adi-Yogi and Adi-Guru as well. 

                        Symbolism in the above image of Lord Shiva
The first thing to look at is the surroundings. 
He is sitting in a meditative pose in a very calm, quiet, and peaceful environment. 
To gain knowledge or to accomplish anything in life, surroundings play an important role. 

Therefore, a student - a seeker should try to find or design the appropriate surroundings, company, and atmosphere to pursue his quest of Gyana. 

                          Starting from the top of his image

His matted hair is tied in a knot on top of his head. 
The head is a symbol of the brain - intellect, and mind - and the wavy hair represents the scattered thoughts and desires. 

Hair tied in a knot means controlled desires and thoughts - and the unity of mind and intellect. 

                                               Ganga
According to the story of Puranas, when Ganga came down from heaven, Shiva caught it in his hair and slowly released it on the earth. 
Ganga is a symbol of Gyana, the knowledge of Truth - which Shiva received from above - with divine inspiration. 
He then examined, analyzed, and grasped in his head and then shared it with the world.

                                        

                                      The crescent moon
Moonlight is cool, calm, and peaceful. 
A crescent moon in Lord Shiva's hair is a symbol of tranquillity, peace, and patience.

                                         The Third Eye

The third eye on the forehead represents the mind's eye. 

To see reality beyond what is visible to the physical eyes, we need to open the mind's eyes - and apprehend the Truth with Gyana. 

                                    Snake around his neck
The serpent represents evil - it is poisonous, and no one can deny its existence. 
Whether it's visible or invisible - controlled or uncontrolled - to some degree, it exists in everyone's mind. 
But Shiva has restrained and tamed the serpent around his neck. 

                                       The blue-throat
There is a famous Puraanik symbolic story:
During the Sagar-Manthan - the churning of the ocean of existence - both nectar and poison - positivity and negativity popped up. 
No one wanted the poison. 
Nevertheless, Shiva swallowed it - knowing well that the poison of negativity exists all around us - that it may not be possible to avoid it entirely. 
However, he did not let it go down his throat - into his belly to affect him in any way. 

His blue-throat shows that even though evil and negativity hit him, he does not let it go down his throat, and therefore, is not affected by it at all.  

                                                  Ashes on the body
His body covered with ash symbolizes that the body is made from dust and will end up in ashes. 
The body is not changeless and permanent - Atma or consciousness is. 

                                                        Trishul
When Shiva is in a calm and meditative posture - his Trishul is dug in the ground on the side.
Three pangs of the Trishul represent three Gunas. 
The Trishul is not in his hand, or on his body - it is kept away - on the side. Meaning, he is Traigunaateet - free from all three Gunas. 
Though sometimes he may hold it if needed and use it in the Tandava mode - to destroy the evil. 

                    

                                                          Damru

In the villages of India, Damru - a small drum was used to make an announcement or invitation - a clarion call. 

The Damru symbolizes an invitation.

The Guru, who has achieved enlightenment, announces and invites the seekers to share the Gyana.

 

                                                         Kamandal

A small pot in front of him is a symbol of contentment. 

His requirements are less- that can fit in that small pot. 

He does not collect extravagantly and excessively. 

There is no greed in him. 

Similarly, a Guru or Yogi should not be greedy - collecting wealth and building assets for their families. They should represent contentment by exemplifying it with their personal lifestyle.  

  

Understanding this symbolism can help us, the seekers, to comprehend and continue on the right path of Spirituality.

Happy Maha Shiv-Ratri to all

                               " Rajan Sachdeva "