Shiva Nataraja (Lord of the Dance)

thingiverse

Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance, stands circa 1100 CE, proudly displayed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection. According to artsmia.org, this sculpture reveals Shiva in one of his many incarnations as Nataraja, where he elegantly raises his left foot in a dance pose. Holding a drum in his right hand symbolizes creation, while the flame in his left hand signifies destruction - together they illustrate the cosmic universe's eternal cycle of creation and annihilation. The protection conveyed by his lower palms, along with the demon beneath his foot representing ignorance elimination, and his raised left foot signifying salvation, paint a vivid picture. A missing ring of fire, once encircling this bronze icon, symbolized the simultaneous dance between creation and destruction. Visit collections.artsmia.org/art/376/shiva-nataraja-india for more information on this captivating piece. Alternatively, explore its full-color rendition on Sketchfab at skfb.ly/6RMRZ.