Dublin Core
Title
Soapstone Shiva Lingam or Linga
Subject
Abstract symbol
Description
A Lingam or Linga is an abstract representation of the Hindu deity, Shiva. Hindus view the Linga as a symbol of energy and potentially even Shiva himself. The origins of a Linga comes from Hindu scripture where it describes Shiva emerging from a Linga or a cosmic pillar. This emergence displayed his superiority over the gods, Brahma and Vishnu. Hindus use Lingas made of stone, metal or clay for worship in temples and smaller shrines.
Check out the High Library for more information.
Check out sacred texts that relate to the artifact.
Sources:
Check out the High Library for more information.
Check out sacred texts that relate to the artifact.
Sources:
Wendy Doniger "God's Body, or, The Lingam Made Flesh: Conflicts over the Representation of the Sexual Body of the Hindu God Shiva," (2011), Social Research 78, no. 2: 485-508, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 31, 2018).
Contributor
Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, USA)
Dr. William V. Puffenberger
Rights
Elizabethtown College retains all intellectual property rights to this image including, but not limited to, digital rights and any derivative works. For permission for reproduction, please contact the College’s Administrative Assistant for Humanities.
Format
A large dark soapstone sculpture of a Shiva Lingam.
6.5 in X 6 in (16.5 cm X 15.2 cm)
Type
Physical Object
Identifier
Puffenberger #91
Coverage
India