Here is one of the most common anthromorphic image of Shiva which shows him as "beautiful, three eyed, with the crescent moon on his brow". The three eyes of Shiva represent the sun, the moon and the fire. He bears on his head as a diadem the crescent of the fifth-day moon. From the crown of his matted hair flows the Ganges, emblem of purity, white as milk. The artist has given Shiva idealized features - eyebrows arched, lotus shaped eyes, a long straight nose and smiling lips which look like two flower petals coming together. In his ears he wears kundalas and a garland of serpent adorns his neck. Close to him are his trishula and damaru. The former is a symbol of the three gunas and it also represents the three subtle arteries of the body. All the rhythms of manifestation are said to have come forth from his damaru.
In the background are the lovely Kailash hills and the foreground has the aniconic image of Shiva, the sacred linga and the yoni which represent Shiva and Shakti.
This description by Kiranjyot.
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