Nataraja Dancing Shiva in the Asian Art Museum in Berlin
Nataraja – the dancing Shiva
South India • 19th c. • bronze • purchased 1967 from E. W. Meyer, I 10061
Shiva’s cosmic dance drives the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. In his upper hands, the hourglass drum stands for the creation of the world and the flame is a symbol of its conflagration and destruction.
In dance, Shiva conquers the demon of ignorance, which can be seen lying under his foot. With the front hand, Shiva invites worshippers to pay homage to his raised foot.