Linga, Shiva’s Aniconic Symbol

A dark polished stone linga, an egg-shaped form, rises from a square yoni pedestal with a spout projecting to the right. The smooth black stone shows a few chips and wear, set against a plain gray background.

Look closer: The spout of the yoni pedestal projects from its right side.

Artist

Unknown

Date

8th century or earlier

Medium

Stone

Source

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Size

4000 × 3722 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of John Siudmak, 1987