---
title: Shiva Nataraja - Lord of the Dance
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/831/shiva-nataraja---lord-of-the-dance/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Shiva Nataraja - Lord of the Dance
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
The great [Hindu](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/) [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Shiva](https://www.worldhistory.org/shiva/) has many guises and many representations in art, but perhaps the most familiar is as a dancing figure within a circle of fire, that is as Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance. It is an image seen in museums, temples, restaurants, and esoteric shops across the world, and it is wonderfully rich in iconography and hidden meaning.
[  Shiva Nataraja Jean-Pierre Dalbéra (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4045/shiva-nataraja/ "Shiva Nataraja")Shiva, as many other important Hindu gods, is a complex character with a myriad of traits, sometimes seemingly in conflict with each other. Accordingly, in his guise as Nataraja he is represented in his triple role as Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. Shiva as a dancing figure first appeared in Indian stone [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) in the 5th and 6th century CE, and it was not until the 10th century CE that the now familiar free-standing sculptural representation, typically in [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/), became standard. In this remarkably standardized form, the god is shown dancing within a flaming halo (*prabha [mandala](https://www.worldhistory.org/mandala/)*) which represents Time and which is shown as a circle to symbolize the Hindu belief that it is both cyclical and without end. The flames of the ring sprout from the mouths of *makaras* or mythical sea creatures shown at the base of the sculpture. The ring is more arch-like in the first bronze sculptures, as can be seen in one of the earliest surviving, the c. 875 CE sculpture within the Shiva temple at Nallur near [Tanjavur](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tanjavur/). Eventually, though, a perfect circle becomes the norm.
The dance the smiling Shiva is performing is the Tandava, the cosmic dance which both creates and destroys the universe. The energy and wildness of the dance is shown in his bent knees and the extravagant spreading of the god's hair. Shiva's locks also contain a skull, a datura blossom, and a crescent moon which represents the idea that Shiva is ever-present even if sometimes he is not always visible. Even more prominent is the figure of [Ganga](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ganges/), the personification of the river [Ganges](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ganges/), who, according to Hindu [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/), was brought gently from the heavens down to earth in the god's hair. Sometimes the god's hair is topped with a fan of konnai leaves.
Shiva is providing his own [music](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Music/), as in his upper right hand he holds a small drum – the *damaru* (usually taking the shape of an hour-glass) – which provides not only rhythm but also reminds that it was this drum which made the first sounds of the creation. The beat of the drum is also considered to provide the heartbeat of the cosmos, the *[maya](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Maya/)*. Conversely, in Shiva's upper left hand he holds *[agni](https://www.worldhistory.org/Agni/)*, the divine fire, which will destroy the universe.
[  Shiva Nataraja (Lord of the Dance) Peter F (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1194/shiva-nataraja-lord-of-the-dance/ "Shiva Nataraja (Lord of the Dance)")Shiva's lower right hand makes the *abhaya mudra* gesture of blessing which calms all fear, and the lower left arm sweeps across his torso with the hand pointing to his left foot in the gesture of *gaja hasta*, symbol of salvation and liberation. Shiva's right foot is shown stamping on the dwarf figure Apasmara Purusha, who holds a cobra and who represents illusion and ignorance, leading humanity away from truth. The cobra motif is repeated and hangs slain from Shiva's right arm. The god usually wears only a short dhoti which is tied around his waist with a sash. Typically, the two ends of the sash billow to the god's dancing movement and reach out to join the ring of fire. Shiva also wears jewellery – necklaces, armlets, and anklets.
The image of Shiva as Nataraja was especially popular in the Chola period, when craftsmen produced large quantities of the figure sculpture in bronze and, measuring up to 1.4 metres in height, they were often carried in religious processions and festivals to represent the god. Early examples can be identified by the straightened sides of the ring of fire, as mentioned above, but also by the absence of Ganga and the fact the individual flames have only three points. In later sculptures Shiva also wears a bell around his standing leg. The figure of Shiva Nataraja has become perhaps the most widespread icon of [Hinduism](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/), and the bronze sculptures are still produced today in parts of southern [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) and especially around [Chidambaram](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chidambaram/) where ancient legend tells that Shiva once performed his dance of creation and destruction in a grove of tillai trees.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored article has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Craven, R.C. *Indian Art.* Thames & Hudson, 1997.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500203024/)
- [Das, R. *The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism.* Lorenz Books, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0754820564/)
- [Harle, J.C. *The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, Second Edition.* Yale University Press, 1994.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0300062176/)
- [Mitchell, G. *Hindu Art and Architecture.* Thames & Hudson, 2015.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B0085P47WY/)
- [Mitter, P. *Indian Art by P. Mitter.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2015.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B003ZO4B3K/)
- Purunam, M. *An Indian Analysis of Aesthetics: the Dance, the Dancer, and the Spectator.* Abhinav Publications, New Delhi, 2015
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2015, September 08). Shiva Nataraja - Lord of the Dance. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Shiva Nataraja - Lord of the Dance." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 08, 2015. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Shiva Nataraja - Lord of the Dance." *World History Encyclopedia*, 08 Sep 2015, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 08 September 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.