ticketsMember | Make a donation

Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)

ca. 11th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 240
As a symbol, Shiva Nataraja is a brilliant invention. It combines in a single image Shiva's roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Indian conception of the never-ending cycle of time. Although it appeared in sculpture as early as the fifth century, its present, world-famous form evolved under the rule of the Cholas. Shiva's dance is set within a flaming halo. The god holds in his upper right hand the damaru (hand drum that made the first sounds of creation). His upper left hand holds agni (the fire that will destroy the universe). With his lower right hand, he makes abhayamudra (the gesture that allays fear). The dwarflike figure being trampled by his right foot represents apasmara purusha (illusion, which leads mankind astray). Shiva's front left hand, pointing to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul. The energy of his dance makes his hair fly to the sides. The symbols imply that, through belief in Shiva, his devotees can achieve salvation.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
  • Period: Chola period (880–1279)
  • Date: ca. 11th century
  • Culture: Indian (Tamil Nadu)
  • Medium: Copper alloy
  • Dimensions: H. 26 7/8 in. (68.3 cm); Diam. 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of R. H. Ellsworth Ltd., in honor of Susan Dillon, 1987
  • Object Number: 1987.80.1
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Child Saint Sambandar, Copper alloy, India, Tamil Nadu
Child Saint Sambandar
India, Tamil Nadu
late 11th century
Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Shaiva Saint, Copper alloy, India (Tamil Nadu)
Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Shaiva Saint
India (Tamil Nadu)
ca. late 13th century
Yashoda with the Infant Krishna , Copper alloy, India (Tamil Nadu, Pudukkottai and Tanjavur districts)

Yashoda with the Infant Krishna

India (Tamil Nadu, Pudukkottai and Tanjavur districts)
early 12th century
Ganesha, Copper alloy, India, Tamil Nadu
Ganesha
India, Tamil Nadu
12th century
Hanuman Conversing, Copper alloy, India (Tamil Nadu)
Hanuman Conversing
India (Tamil Nadu)
11th century

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 5

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja) - Indian (Tamil Nadu) - Chola period (880–1279) - The Metropolitan Museum of Art