Norse
Ymir
first giant, raw material of the world
Shiva
Hindu tradition. See the whole pantheon.
- Domains
- destruction and renewal, asceticism, yoga, dance
- Symbols and attributes
- Trident, lingam, crescent moon, bull Nandi, Ganges in hair
- Partner
- Parvati
Key myth
The Shaivas regard him as the supreme god. In the Puranas he drinks the poison from the churning of the ocean, turning his throat blue, and he is the lord of dance (Nataraja).
Where sources differ or caution applies. Rudra, a fierce Vedic storm god, is the older figure often linked with Shiva.
Primary sources
- Rigveda 2.33 (Rudra)
- Shiva Purana
- Shvetashvatara Upanishad
Place in the family graph
More traditions
Elsewhere in the world
Deities in other traditions who share a theme with Shiva: death and the underworld, creation and first beings. This is overlap in one area only.