Art Institute of Chicago
Emblem of God Shiva with Four Faces (Chaturmukhalinga)
India
- Date
- 7th/8th century
- Medium
- Sandstone
- Culture
- Rajasthan
- Department
- Arts of Asia
- Institution
- Art Institute of Chicago
The most sacred aspect of Shiva, one of the principal gods of Hinduism, the linga is the main focus of worship in temples dedicated to him. Taking the form of the phallus, it symbolizes Shiva’s yogic control of the cosmic creative force. This chaturmukhalinga (Shiva linga with four faces) aligns with the cardinal directions and represents the four aspects of the god: creation, wrath, gentleness, and ascetic self-discipline. Worship of the linga dates back to the most ancient times in the Indian subcontinent.
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- Object type
- AAT300301253
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