Stenen reliëf met voorstelling van Shiva en Parvati 11th century

This stone relief depicts Shiva and Parvati, key figures in the Hindu pantheon, locked in an intimate embrace. Shiva, on the left, holding a trident, symbolizes power, while Parvati holds a mirror, a symbol that has appeared across different eras, often related to vanity or self-awareness. The mirror’s reflection motif can be traced back to ancient Greek mythology with Narcissus, and reappears in Renaissance paintings as an attribute of Venus. Over time, the mirror’s symbolism has evolved, often reflecting societal attitudes towards women. The intimate embrace of Shiva and Parvati also carries a profound psychological weight. It represents the union of masculine and feminine energies, a balance deeply rooted in our collective unconscious. This symbol of wholeness speaks to a primal desire for harmony and completion within ourselves. It is a timeless image that engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Like a snake eating its own tail, the symbols re-emerge, transformed, yet still echoing the past.