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Syncretic Form · Half-Man, Half-Woman Form

Ardhanarishvara

अर्धनारीश्वर
Also known as: Ardhanārīśvara, Half-Shiva, Half-Parvati, Androgynous Lord

About

The androgynous form of Shiva, half male and half female. Represents the unity of Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter), Shiva and Shakti. Symbolizes that the supreme reality is beyond gender and includes all dualities.

Attributes

Unity of male and femaleShiva-ShaktiBeyond dualityTotality

Symbols

Half Shiva: trishula, snake, matted hairHalf Parvati: breast, jewelry, kumkum
Consort
Parvati (as the other half)
Vahana (Mount)
Nandi

Associated Mantras

Om Ardhanārīśvarāya Namaḥ
Ardhanarishvara Stotram

Scriptures

Shiva PuranaPuranasTantras

Regions Worshipped

Pan-India

Iconography

Left half is female (Parvati): breast, jewelry, fair complexion. Right half is male (Shiva): matted hair, ash-smeared, snake. Four arms: male arms hold trishula and in abhaya; female arms hold lotus and in varada.