Lingam and Nandi

The aniconic image of Shiva in the form of the upright phallic pillar of the lingam stands under the sign of the female principle, the yoni. Beyond all sexual reading levels, female and male divine abilities unite to form a whole in which all contradictions between divine and transcendental energy are eliminated. Lingam and yoni lead to the realization of the essential equality of all phenomena. Shiva's mount, the bull Nandi, is depicted in front of the linga.