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{{Short description| | {{Short description|An iconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva}} | ||
{{Redirect-multi|2|Linga|Shivling}} | {{Redirect-multi|2|Linga|Shivling}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} | ||
[[File:Shiv lingam Tripundra.jpg|thumb|A Shiva lingam with [[tripundra]], projected on a [[yoni]] base | [[File:Shiv lingam Tripundra.jpg|thumb|A Shiva lingam with [[tripundra]], projected on a [[yoni]] base|upright=1.5]] | ||
A '''lingam''' ({{lang-sa|लिङ्ग}} {{IAST3|liṅga}}, lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as '''linga''' or '''Shiva linga''', is an abstract or [[Aniconism|aniconic]] representation of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Hindu deities|god]] [[Shiva]] in [[Shaivism]].<ref name="Britannica"/> It is typically the primary ''[[murti]]'' or [[Cult image#Hinduism|devotional image]] in [[Hindu temple]]s dedicated to Shiva, also found in smaller shrines, or as [[ | A '''lingam''' ({{lang-sa|लिङ्ग}} {{IAST3|liṅga}}, lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as '''linga''' or '''Shiva linga''', is an abstract or [[Aniconism|aniconic]] representation of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Hindu deities|god]] [[Shiva]] in [[Shaivism]].<ref name="Britannica"/> It is typically the primary ''[[murti]]'' or [[Cult image#Hinduism|devotional image]] in [[Hindu temple]]s dedicated to Shiva, also found in smaller shrines, or as [[Svayambhu|self-manifested]] natural objects.<ref name=doh>{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=W.J.|title=A dictionary of Hinduism|date=2009|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|isbn=9780191726705|edition=1st|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001/acref-9780198610250-e-1458|access-date=5 January 2016|url-access=subscription }}{{ODNBsub}}</ref><ref name="Fowler">{{cite book|last1=Fowler|first1=Jeaneane|title=Hinduism: beliefs and practices|date=1997|publisher=Sussex Acad. Press|location=Brighton [u.a.]|isbn=9781898723608|pages=42–43|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RmGKHu20hA0C}}</ref> It is often represented within a disc-shaped platform,<ref name="Britannica"/><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/media/books/dancing-with-siva/web/glossary_c.html|title=Dancing with Siva|year=1999|isbn=9780945497943|location=USA}}</ref> the ''[[yoni]]'' – its feminine counterpart,<ref name=dasgupta107/><ref name="Beltzp204">{{cite journal | last=Beltz | first=Johannes | title=The Dancing Shiva: South Indian Processional Bronze, Museum Artwork, and Universal Icon | journal=Journal of Religion in Europe | publisher=Brill Academic Publishers | volume=4 | issue=1 | date=2011-03-01 | doi=10.1163/187489210x553566 | pages=204–222| s2cid=143631560 | url=https://semanticscholar.org/paper/abbf92264f0901428d662a561471285a7e2f029f }}</ref> consisting of a flat element, horizontal compared to the vertical lingam, and designed to allow liquid offerings to drain away for collection. Together, they symbolize the merging of [[Microcosm–macrocosm analogy|microcosmos and macrocosmos]],<ref name="Beltzp204"/> the divine eternal process of creation and regeneration, and the union of the feminine and the masculine that recreates all of existence.<ref name="britannica">{{cite encyclopedia |author1-last=Doniger |author1-first=Wendy |author1-link=Wendy Doniger |author2-last=Stefon |author2-first=Matt |title=Lingam (Hinduism) |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/lingam |date=24 December 2014 |origyear=20 July 1998 |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |location=[[Edinburgh]] |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]] |access-date=22 May 2021}}</ref><ref name=lochtefeld784>{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g6FsB3psOTIC&pg=PA784 |year=2001 |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-8239-3180-4|page=784}}</ref> | ||
The original meaning of ''lingam'' as "sign" is used in [[Shvetashvatara Upanishad]], which says "Shiva, the Supreme Lord, has no liūga", '''liuga''' ({{lang-sa|लिऊग}} {{IAST3|liūga}}) meaning he is transcendental, beyond any characteristic and, specifically, the sign of gender.{{sfn|Kramrisch|1994|p=221}}{{sfn|Constance|James|2006|p=410}} Lingam is regarded as the "outward symbol" of the "formless Reality", the symbolization of merging of the 'primordial matter' (''[[Prakṛti]]'') | The original meaning of ''lingam'' as "sign" is used in [[Shvetashvatara Upanishad]], which says "Shiva, the Supreme Lord, has no liūga", '''liuga''' ({{lang-sa|लिऊग}} {{IAST3|liūga}}) meaning he is transcendental, beyond any characteristic and, specifically, the sign of gender.{{sfn|Kramrisch|1994|p=221}}{{sfn|Constance|James|2006|p=410}} Lingam is regarded as the "outward symbol" of the "formless Reality", the symbolization of merging of the 'primordial matter' (''[[Prakṛti]]'') with the 'pure consciousness' (''[[Purusha]]'') in [[Transcendence (religion)#Hinduism|transcendental context]].{{sfn|Grimes|1996|p=175-176}} | ||
The metaphorical creative principle of lingam-yoni, the union of the feminine and the masculine, the eternal [[Hindu cosmology|cosmological]] process of creation is also depicted in [[Chinese philosophy#Ancient philosophy|Chinese philosophy]] of [[Yin and Yang]],<ref name="yinyang09">{{cite book|title=Journal of Philosophy: A Cross-Disciplinary Inquiry|chapter=Indian Yoni-Linga and Chinese Yin-Yang|volume=4|year=2009|issue=8|url=https://www.pdcnet.org/jphilnepal/content/jphilnepal_2009_0004_0008_0020_0026|publisher=Society for Philosophy and Literary Studies of Nepal|last=Zijiang Ding|first=John|pages=20–26|doi=10.5840/jphilnepal2009483 | The metaphorical creative principle of lingam-yoni, the union of the feminine and the masculine, the eternal [[Hindu cosmology|cosmological]] process of creation is also depicted in [[Chinese philosophy#Ancient philosophy|Chinese philosophy]] of [[Yin and Yang]],<ref name="yinyang09">{{cite book|title=Journal of Philosophy: A Cross-Disciplinary Inquiry|chapter=Indian Yoni-Linga and Chinese Yin-Yang|volume=4|year=2009|issue=8|url=https://www.pdcnet.org/jphilnepal/content/jphilnepal_2009_0004_0008_0020_0026|publisher=Society for Philosophy and Literary Studies of Nepal|last=Zijiang Ding|first=John|pages=20–26|doi=10.5840/jphilnepal2009483 | ||
}}</ref>{{sfn|Mahdihassan|1989|p=248}} where [[Etymology|etymologically]] and [[Semantics|semantically]] ''Yin'' represents the feminine, half-unity of consciousness and ''Yang'' denotes the masculine, the other half, together symbolizing the entirety or unity-consciousness in the creation.<ref name="yinyang09" /> | }}</ref>{{sfn|Mahdihassan|1989|p=248}} where [[Etymology|etymologically]] and [[Semantics|semantically]] ''Yin'' represents the feminine, half-unity of consciousness and ''Yang'' denotes the masculine, the other half, together symbolizing the entirety or unity-consciousness in the creation.<ref name="yinyang09" /> The ''lingam'' is conceptualized both as an emblem of generative and destructive power,<ref name="britannica"/>{{sfn|Constance|James|2006|p=260-261}} particularly in the esoteric [[Kaula (Hinduism)|Kaula]] and [[Tantra]] practices, as well as the [[Shaivism]] and [[Shaktism]] traditions of Hinduism.{{sfn|Constance|James|2006|p=515-517}} | ||
"Lingam" is found in [[Sanskrit literature|Sanskrit texts]], such as [[Shvetashvatara Upanishad]], [[Samkhya]], [[Vaisheshika]] and others texts with the meaning of "evidence, proof" of [[Brahman|God]] and God's existence,{{refn|{{sfn|Kramrisch|1994|p=221}}<ref name="Ger Wuj 01" /><ref name="Larson2001p190" /><ref name="Britannica" /><ref name="mmw901" /><ref name="Bonnefoy1993p38" />}} or existence of formless [[Brahman]].<ref name="ajai16" /> Lingam iconography found at archaeological sites of the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia includes simple cylinders set inside a ''[[yoni]]''; [[mukhalinga]] rounded pillars with carvings such as of one or more ''mukha'' (faces); and anatomically realistic representations of a [[phallus]] such as on the [[Gudimallam Lingam]].{{refn|group=note|name="ilph_rep_l"}}{{refn|<ref>{{cite book|author=T. A. Gopinatha Rao|title=Elements of Hindu Iconography, Volume 2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e7mP3kDzGuoC |year=1993|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0877-5|pages=63–68, 72–87, 91–98}}</ref><ref name="Klostermaier"/>{{sfn |Doniger |2011 |p=491}}}} In the Shaiva traditions, the lingam is regarded as a form of spiritual iconography.<ref name=wayman30/><ref name=lochtefeld390/>{{sfn |Doniger |2011 |p=503}} | "Lingam" is found in [[Sanskrit literature|Sanskrit texts]], such as [[Shvetashvatara Upanishad]], [[Samkhya]], [[Vaisheshika]] and others texts with the meaning of "evidence, proof" of [[Brahman|God]] and God's existence,{{refn|{{sfn|Kramrisch|1994|p=221}}<ref name="Ger Wuj 01" /><ref name="Larson2001p190" /><ref name="Britannica" /><ref name="mmw901" /><ref name="Bonnefoy1993p38" />}} or existence of formless [[Brahman]].<ref name="ajai16" /> Lingam iconography found at archaeological sites of the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia includes simple cylinders set inside a ''[[yoni]]''; [[mukhalinga]] rounded pillars with carvings such as of one or more ''mukha'' (faces); and anatomically realistic representations of a [[phallus]] such as on the [[Gudimallam Lingam]].{{refn|group=note|name="ilph_rep_l"}}{{refn|<ref>{{cite book|author=T. A. Gopinatha Rao|title=Elements of Hindu Iconography, Volume 2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e7mP3kDzGuoC |year=1993|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0877-5|pages=63–68, 72–87, 91–98}}</ref><ref name="Klostermaier"/>{{sfn |Doniger |2011 |p=491}}}} In the Shaiva traditions, the lingam is regarded as a form of spiritual iconography.<ref name=wayman30/><ref name=lochtefeld390/>{{sfn |Doniger |2011 |p=503}} | ||
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According to Alex Wayman, given the Shaiva philosophical texts and spiritual interpretations, various works on Shaivism by some Indian authors "deny that the linga is a phallus".<ref name=wayman30>{{cite journal|author=Alex Wayman| title=O, that Linga!|year = 1987|volume=68|issue=1/4| journal=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute| page=30}}, Quote: "That is why today one will read in various works by Indians on Saivism a denial that the linga is a phallus; and the late Dr. Basham once told the present writer that in all the years of his India contacts he never found any Saivite admitting that the linga is a phallus."</ref> To the Shaivites, a linga is neither a phallus nor do they practice the worship of erotic penis-vulva, rather the linga-yoni is a symbol of cosmic mysteries, the creative powers and the metaphor for the spiritual truths of their faith.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Alex Wayman| title=O, that Linga!|year = 1987|volume=68|issue=1/4| journal=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute| pages=29–31}}</ref> For example, according to [[Swami Sivananda]], the corelation of the linga and phallus is wrong; the Lingam is only the external symbol of Lord Shiva's formless being. He further states that it is the light or power of consciousness, manifesting from [[Sadashiva]].<ref> Lord Shiva and His Worship by Sri Swami Sivananda (1945), Chapter IX: Siva Yoga Sadhna, Section 7: Worship of Siva Lingam, 2015 edition, Allahabad Book World Ltd.</ref> | According to Alex Wayman, given the Shaiva philosophical texts and spiritual interpretations, various works on Shaivism by some Indian authors "deny that the linga is a phallus".<ref name=wayman30>{{cite journal|author=Alex Wayman| title=O, that Linga!|year = 1987|volume=68|issue=1/4| journal=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute| page=30}}, Quote: "That is why today one will read in various works by Indians on Saivism a denial that the linga is a phallus; and the late Dr. Basham once told the present writer that in all the years of his India contacts he never found any Saivite admitting that the linga is a phallus."</ref> To the Shaivites, a linga is neither a phallus nor do they practice the worship of erotic penis-vulva, rather the linga-yoni is a symbol of cosmic mysteries, the creative powers and the metaphor for the spiritual truths of their faith.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Alex Wayman| title=O, that Linga!|year = 1987|volume=68|issue=1/4| journal=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute| pages=29–31}}</ref> For example, according to [[Swami Sivananda]], the corelation of the linga and phallus is wrong; the Lingam is only the external symbol of Lord Shiva's formless being. He further states that it is the light or power of consciousness, manifesting from [[Sadashiva]].<ref> Lord Shiva and His Worship by Sri Swami Sivananda (1945), Chapter IX: Siva Yoga Sadhna, Section 7: Worship of Siva Lingam, 2015 edition, Allahabad Book World Ltd.</ref> | ||
{{Quote|The popular belief is that the Siva Lingam represents the phallus or the virile organ, the emblem of the generative power or principle in nature. This is not only a serious mistake but a grave blunder. In the post-Vedic period, the Linga has become symbolic of the generative power of Lord Siva. Linga is the differentiating mark. It is certainly not the sex mark. | {{Quote|The popular belief is that the Siva Lingam represents the phallus or the virile organ, the emblem of the generative power or principle in nature. This is not only a serious mistake but a grave blunder. In the post-Vedic period, the Linga has become symbolic of the generative power of Lord Siva. Linga is the differentiating mark. It is certainly not the sex mark.<ref>Lord Shiva and His Worship by Sri Swami Sivananda (1945), Chapter IX: Siva Yoga Sadhna, Section 7: Worship of Siva Lingam, Page 220, 2015 edition, Allahabad Book World Ltd.</ref>}} | ||
According to Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, the lingam signifies three perfections of [[Shiva]].<ref name="sivaya subramuniyaswami 2001">{{cite book|first=Sivaya|last=Subramuniyaswami|title=Dancing with Siva|year=2001|publisher=Himalayan Academy|location=USA|isbn=0945497970|url=https://archive.org/details/dancingwithsivah00subr_0}}</ref> The upper oval part of the Shivalingam represents [[Parashiva]] and lower part of the Shivalingam, called the pitha, represents [[Parashakti]].<ref name="sivaya subramuniyaswami 2001"/> In Parashiva perfection, Shiva is the absolute reality, the timeless, formless and spaceless. In Parashakti perfection, Shiva is all-pervasive, [[Purusha|pure consciousness]], power and primal substance of all that exists and it has form unlike Parashiva which is formless.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/media/books/dancing-with-siva/web/glossary_c.html|title=Dictionary of Dancing with Siva|at=Search for the 'Paraśiva: परशिव' and 'Parāśakti: पराशक्ति'}}</ref>{{sfn|Kramrisch|1994|p=221}} | According to Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, the lingam signifies three perfections of [[Shiva]].<ref name="sivaya subramuniyaswami 2001">{{cite book|first=Sivaya|last=Subramuniyaswami|title=Dancing with Siva|year=2001|publisher=Himalayan Academy|location=USA|isbn=0945497970|url=https://archive.org/details/dancingwithsivah00subr_0}}</ref> The upper oval part of the Shivalingam represents [[Parashiva]] and lower part of the Shivalingam, called the pitha, represents [[Parashakti]].<ref name="sivaya subramuniyaswami 2001"/> In Parashiva perfection, Shiva is the absolute reality, the timeless, formless and spaceless. In Parashakti perfection, Shiva is all-pervasive, [[Purusha|pure consciousness]], power and primal substance of all that exists and it has form unlike Parashiva which is formless.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/media/books/dancing-with-siva/web/glossary_c.html|title=Dictionary of Dancing with Siva|at=Search for the 'Paraśiva: परशिव' and 'Parāśakti: पराशक्ति'}}</ref>{{sfn|Kramrisch|1994|p=221}} | ||
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| footer = Left: 2 sphatika (quartz) lingams in the Shri Parkasheshwar Mahadev Temple, Dehradun; Right: Ice Lingam in the cave at the [[Amarnath Temple]], Kashmir. | | footer = Left: 2 sphatika (quartz) lingams in the Shri Parkasheshwar Mahadev Temple, Dehradun; Right: Ice Lingam in the cave at the [[Amarnath Temple]], Kashmir. | ||
}} | }} | ||
In [[Kadavul Temple]], a 700-pound, 3-foot-tall, naturally formed [[Sphatika Lingam|Sphatika (quartz) lingam]] is installed. In the future, this crystal lingam will be housed in the [[Iraivan Temple]]. It is claimed as among the largest known sphatika self formed ([[Swayambhu]]) lingams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/monastery/temples/kadavul|title=Kadavul Hindu Temple|last=under the section "General Introduction"|website=Himalayanacademy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/monastery/temples/iraivan/in-the-news|title=Iraivan Temple in the News}}</ref> Hindu scripture rates crystal as the highest form of | In [[Kadavul Temple]], a 700-pound, 3-foot-tall, naturally formed [[Sphatika Lingam|Sphatika (quartz) lingam]] is installed. In the future, this crystal lingam will be housed in the [[Iraivan Temple]]. It is claimed as among the largest known sphatika self formed ([[Swayambhu]]) lingams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/monastery/temples/kadavul|title=Kadavul Hindu Temple|last=under the section "General Introduction"|website=Himalayanacademy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/monastery/temples/iraivan/in-the-news|title=Iraivan Temple in the News}}</ref> Hindu scripture rates crystal as the highest form of Shiva lingam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=453|title=Rare Crystal Siva Lingam Arrives at Hawaii Temple|website=hinduismtoday}}</ref> | ||
[[Shivling (Garhwal Himalaya)|Shivling]], {{convert|6543|m}}, is a mountain in [[Uttarakhand]] (the Garhwal region of Himalayas). It arises as a sheer pyramid above the snout of the [[Gangotri Glacier]]. The mountain resembles a Shiva lingam when viewed from certain angles, especially when travelling or trekking from Gangotri to Gomukh as part of a traditional Hindu pilgrimage.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}} | [[Shivling (Garhwal Himalaya)|Shivling]], {{convert|6543|m}}, is a mountain in [[Uttarakhand]] (the Garhwal region of Himalayas). It arises as a sheer pyramid above the snout of the [[Gangotri Glacier]]. The mountain resembles a Shiva lingam when viewed from certain angles, especially when travelling or trekking from Gangotri to Gomukh as part of a traditional Hindu pilgrimage.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}} | ||
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* [[Banalinga]] | * [[Banalinga]] | ||
* [[Hindu iconography]] | * [[Hindu iconography]] | ||
* [[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]] - a Lingam stone plays a central part in the film's plot | * ''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]]'' - a Lingam stone plays a central part in the film's plot | ||
* [[Jyotirlinga]] | * [[Jyotirlinga]] | ||
* [[Lingayatism]] | * [[Lingayatism]] | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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*[https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141933 Some interesting Linga images from Kalanjara and Ajaigarh], SK Sullerey (1980) | *[https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141933 Some interesting Linga images from Kalanjara and Ajaigarh], SK Sullerey (1980) | ||
*[https://www.jstor.org/stable/41693312 O, that Linga!], Alex Wayman (1987) | *[https://www.jstor.org/stable/41693312 O, that Linga!], Alex Wayman (1987) | ||