1. The Crescent Moon \u2013 Ardha-Chandrama<\/h3>\n
The crescent moon on the head of Shiva is first in the list of symbols of Shiva. Shiva is the greatest yogi who needs intoxication for concentration and as the moon is also known for his intoxication power therefore, Shiva game him a special place on his head. It helps him in concentrating while he is meditating but he always remains conscious even if he is intoxicated.<\/p>\n
2. Body smeared with ashes<\/h3>\n
Lord Shiva\u2019s body is smeared with ashes which is a symbol that Shiva is above the cycle of birth and death. These ashes are not normal ashes of wood or coal, these ashes are of the cemetery. Every person who is born will die and ultimately they will turn into ashes. These ashes smeared on the body of Shiva depicts that Shiva is above all and he goes beyond the cycle of life.<\/p>\n
3.Matted Hair \/ Jata<\/h3>\n
Shiva is also known as Jatadhari because of his matted hair. The flow of his matted hair symbolizes the flow of wind or air which is very important of breathing. It shows that all living being relies on Shiva for their life. He is the Lord of all living things and therefore he is known as Pashupatinath.<\/p>\n
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4.The Ganga<\/h3>\n
River Ganga is the most sacred and holy river. There is a story has it that when Ganga came on Earth from heaven, she was full of arrogance and therefore she was flowing with mighty force. When Shiva came to know about her arrogance and flow, he gathered Ganga in his Jata and river Ganga was vanished from the earth. After this Ganga realized her mistake and asked for forgiveness. Shiva forgave her but he allowed only a small jet of water from his matted hair and by this way the mighty flow was controlled. It shows that Shiva can vanish the existence of anything that is full of arrogance and ego.<\/p>\n
5.The Third Eye<\/h3>\n
Lord Shiva is also known as Trinetradhari or Trayambhakam which means the one who has 3 eyes. The third eye of Shiva represents the sight of knowledge, patience and the rejection of desires. This also represents the fact that Shiva can foresee anything and nothing can remain hidden from him. But this third eye of Shiva remains closed until he is calm and patient. Once he becomes angry, the third eye will open and hence it will destroy everything. It summarizes that fact that we can see the difference of good or bad from our eyes until we are calm and compose but when the anger will overpower, we will certainly destroy everything.<\/p>\n
6.The Snake Around the Neck<\/h3>\n
In the pictorial representation of Shiva, you can always notice that the snake coils three times around his neck. It represents the cycle of time i.e. past, present, and future. The snake depicts that Shiva is ageless and is beyond the cycle of time. It also represents the Kundalini or dormant energy that resides within him.<\/p>\n
7.Tripunda<\/h3>\n
You might have observed the three parallel lines on the forehead of Shiva, these lines are known as Tripunda. It symbolizes the three quality or gunas. The first line represents Sattva Guna which means purity, kindness, goodness, creative, and balanced. Second-line depicts Rajas Guna which means confusion, eagerness, passionate, self-centered, full of ego. Whereas the line represents Tamas Guna which means laziness, heaviness, destructive, and the impurity.<\/p>\n