Trident with Shiva as Half-Woman (Ardhanarishvara), c. 1050. Creator: Unknown.

Trident with Shiva as Half-Woman (Ardhanarishvara), c. 1050. Creator: Unknown.

2-746-388 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Trident with Shiva as Half-Woman (Ardhanarishvara), c. 1050. The form of the trident—the main weapon of the Hindu god Shiva—dramatically and elegantly encircles his form in which the left side is female and the right side is male. The male side has the matted locks of a yogi piled high on his head; he holds an ax and leans on his mount, the bull. The female side has a jeweled crown, earring, full breast, broad hips, long skirt, and only one arm. The lower hands probably held a stringed instrument. This particular iconic form of Shiva visually indicates that he embodies all phenomena, even if they seem contradictory. He is male and female, destructive and creative, yogi and royal sovereign, hunter and musician.


Image Details


Medium
  1. Bronze

Picture Type
  1. Sculpture

Digital Image Size

Pixel Dimensions (W x H) : 4444x5196
File Size : 67,650kb


Aliases

  1. 1969.117
  1. 144279
  1. 0940018223
  1. 1969.117
  1. 2-746-388
  1. 2746388


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