Ancient figure of Nataraja, the dancing Shiva, in gilt bronze, India

The term Nataraja means "King of the dancers" (in Sanskrit born = dance and raja = king). Shiva is depicted with four hands representing the cardinal points; dances with the left foot raised and the right rests on a prone figure of a dwarf as a personification of the ignorance over which Shiva triumphs. A left hand at the top holds a flame symbolizing the dissolution of all creation; the second left arm crosses diagonally across the chest and with the hand indicates the raised foot to signify the granting of grace and the refuge of the devotees. The right hand at the top holds an hourglass drum, symbol of time which with its rhythmic sound represents the masculine / feminine life principle; the lower right hand has the palm open as a gesture of reassurance. Snakes symbolizing selfishness branch off from his head and the third eye is symbolic of his omniscience. The figure dances within an arc of flames representing the infinite cycle of birth and death and the destructive force of Shiva, and rests on a lotus pedestal as a symbol of the creative forces of the Universe.

cm 59x50x17