The SHIVA LING or LINGAM - The energies of the world
The Lingam is a phallic symbol considered one of the manifestations of Shiva, representing the unmanifest universe, symbolizing fertility and creativity.
The etymology of the word lingam is uncertain; it can mean plow, SIGN, symbol, emblem, mark.
In cultic use, the lingam is placed on a pedestal representing the female organ (yoni).
The Kamasutra tells a very well-known legend in India:
One day, the god Shiva met a group of learned men who did not recognize him, so he transformed into a naked and dirty ascetic and began to seduce their wives. At that point, the sages lost their minds and castrated him. When his penis touched the ground, the light disappeared from the universe, and at that point, the men realized their mistake and implored Shiva to bring back the light. He agreed on the condition that they worship him as the Lingam.
