The Iconography of Hindu Deities: Image Key

Vishnu: Vishnu is the preserver. After the destruction of the universe, Vishnu floats on the cosmic ocean until a lotus blooms from his navel and Brahma, the creator god, emerges from the lotus to speak the world into existence. Vishnu holds a mace and a conch shell, which symbolize his power, and a wheel which symbolizes samsara, and a lotus, whose growth from muddy water represents positive transformation. He is shown here with his consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Vishnu takes an active role in preserving creation by incarnating and, in his various human forms, helping humans overcome difficulties. Krishna and Rama are two of his most popular incarnations.

Shiva: Shiva is the destroyer, who brings about the end of the universe thereby initiating its rebirth. Hinduism often emphasizes pairs of opposing principles, like creation and destruction or aggression and protection. He also dances the universe into existence. Shiva is said to have stopped Ganga, the goddess of the Ganges river, from flooding the world by catching her in his hair, so he is often shown with a stream of water or a miniature version of Ganga herself emerging from the hair on top of his head. In his four hands, Shiva holds a trident and a conch shell, both military objects that demonstrate Shiva's power, and a drum whose beating symbolizes the march of time. In this image, Shiva is shown in meditation and holds a rosary. Shiva is often shown in this pose as a yogi, or ascetic, and often looks wild and uncivilized. The cobra, or naga, around his neck is a spirit who controls the underwater and underground realms. Despite his wild nature, Shiva becomes domesticated and marries the goddess Parvati, who is also Durga or Kali, and has two children, Ganesh and Kumar. They represent the happy Hindu family.

Krishna: Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu and represents love, joy and playfulness. He is shown here as the divine child, sleeping peacefully in front of an image of Vishnu. Krishna holds a flute, which refers to his youth as a mischievous cowherd whose sweet music would lure lovely young cowherdesses to him. Krishna is well known for his role in the Bhagavad Gita, where he instructs the young warrior Arjuna on the path of devotion to the gods.

Kali: Kali is sometimes known as the goddess of death, but it is more accurate to think of her as the goddess of time which will eventually bring all mortals death. In her four arms she holds a sword and a severed head and wears a garland of skulls to remind worshippers that death is inescapable. To balance this gruesome reminder, her other two hands are in a gesture of blessing to let her followers know that she will help them overcome their fear of death. Her black color does not mean that she is evil, but that she is beyond color. She stands on the body of Shiva, a reference to the climax of a myth about Kali. In the myth, Kali has to battle demons to save the world and, when she has killed them all, she is so wrapped up in blood lust and the thrill of victory that she continues to kill everything she sees. Shiva has to lie down in her path in the hopes that she will snap out of it before she kills him. Why Shiva? Kali is actually one aspect of Shiva's wife, Parvati/Durga. So, despite her violent side, Kali can also be seen as a strong and loving protector, an aspect of female and motherly power, like the way a female bear will ferociously protect her cubs from danger.