A large-sized Lingam stone

The Narmada River, India

Length: 47 x Width: 22 x Height: 23 cm - L18.5 x W8.66 x D9.06 inches

The ‘Shiva Lingam’, also called ‘Brahmin Egg’ or ‘World Egg’, is the symbol of the Hindu god ‘Shiva’. In Indian Hinduism, this God, called ‘The Destroyer’, represents the becoming and the passing in the eternal cycle of nature. The abstract symbol for the ‘Lord Shiva’ is his ‘lingam’: a polished, egg-shaped stone located at the centre of every Shiva temple in India. It is washed by the priests, decorated, and venerated by the faithful. The clear form of the ‘lingam’ symbolizes ‘male peace’, while the different coloured signs on the surface of the stone are construed as ‘female unrest’. In popular belief, however, the upright form of the ‘lingam’ is regarded as clearly representing the god’s phallus, while the coloured inclusions are interpreted as his female counterpart, the vulva. The ‘Shiva Lingam’ presented here is made of elegant, grey stone and is unusually large. It shows beautiful, dark red inclusions and originates from Varanasi (Benares).

Shiva Lingam stones are sacred to the Hindu tradition and are ceremoniously gathered once a year from the muddy banks of the Narmada River, one of the Seven Sacred places of pilgrimage in India. Of those Shiva Stones found, very few have the characteristics markings that make the Shiva Stones so unique. They are naturally formed of a mineral called CRYPTOCRYSTALLINE QUARTZ, with iron oxide deposits said to have been implanted in the stone by a meteorite millions of years ago. The shape embodies Masculine Energy, Dynamic Expression and Knowledge. The markings called ‘yont’ depicts Feminine Energy, Wisdom and Intuition. Together, the Female Energy arouses the Masculine urge to create. The shape and colour make the Shiva Lingam Stones unique as objects for meditation and metaphysical sources. They are said to contain the loftiest vibrations of all Stones on Earth.