Siva is one the gods of Hindu Trinity. He is worshipped by millions of Hindus all over the world. He is known as the destroyer of the worlds in his aspect of Rudra. He personifies anger, passion as well as compassion. He subdues all our passions and transforms the human body so as to make it divine. The human body devoid of Siva is Sava or a dead body
Another common form is that of Shiva Nataraja. This is Shiva engaged in a cosmic dance. It is believed that the energy from this dance sustains the cosmos, and when Shiva is finished with this dance, this universe will end and a new one will begin.
Shiva is often depicted carrying a trident, and the three tips of this weapon represent the creation, protection, and destruction of the universe. He might be carrying an ax, which is to symbolize the severing of ties to the material world.

Shiva is the supreme God of Shaivism, one of the three main branches of Hinduism practiced in South India today (the others being Vaishnavism and Shaktism). His abode is called Kailasa, a mountain in south Tibet. In Northern India

Shiva meaning "One who purifies everyone by the utterance of His name" or the Pure One. That is, Shiva is unaffected by the three gunas (three qualities)  namely Satva, Rajas, and Tamas.
Lord Shiva is the Greatest God (Mahadeva) and even God of Gods (Devadeva). He is the oldest known god worshipped in different parts of the world. He is mysterious and complex. He is the timeless, formless and spaceless Absolute
His holy Vahana (Sanskrit for transport is Nandi, the Bull.). Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga. In images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation on Mount Kailash in the Himalayas.

Sivaling

Sivaling literally means the body of Siva. Next to the symbol of AUM, it is perhaps the most potent, powerful and popular symbol in entire Hinduism. In almost all the Siva temples, worship is generally made to Sivalingas only. Very rarely we come across his images in the sanctum sanctorum of any Siva temple. A Sivaling is usually a round or cylindrical and protruding object. The cylindrical part is held firmly by a circular base. 
On the physical plane, the object resembles the male sexual organ, suggestive of the creative power of Siva. The circular base resembles that of the female, suggestive of his consort Parvathi. Physically a Sivaling is a phallic symbol, representing the male and female sexual organs in a state of conjugal bliss. Mentally it symbolizes the union of mind and body. Spiritually it represents the union between Purusha and Prakriti, the highest principles of the manifest universe.

Shiva is inseparable from Parvati (also referred to as Shakti), who is the daughter of Himavant and Haimavatī. There is no Shakti without Shiva and Shakti is his expression; the two are one, the absolute state of being - consciousness and bliss. Shakti in turn is the entire energy of the cosmos. Shiva is said to have shared half of his body for Shakti and is known as Ardhanarishwara(half woman, half man) in this form. In Hinduism, Shiva is said to have taken this form is to depict the equality of men and women.
The tale about Shiva splitting into two halves of male and female indicates the origin of the Ardhanarishvara - the union of substance and energy, the Being and his Shakti (force).

Shiva's consort is Devi, God's energy or God as the Divine Mother who comes in many different forms, one of whom is Kali, the goddess of death. Parvati, a more pacific form of Devi is also popular. Shiva also married Sati, another form of Devi and daughter of Daksha, who forbade the marriage. Sati disobeyed her father. Daksha once held a Yajna, but did not invite Shiva. In disgust, Sati self-immolated .
Upon learning of Sati's death, Shiva tore off a lock of his hair and lashed it against the ground. The stalk split in two, one half transforming into the terrifying warrior Virabhadra, while the other caused Mahakali to manifest on the scene. The pair immediately led Shiva's army Daksha's yajna and destroyed it. Daksha was decapitated by Virabhadra.
Sati was later reborn in the house of Himavat (Himalaya mountain-range personified) and performed great penance (Skt: Tapasya) to win over Shiva's attention. Parvati through her devotion and the persuasion of other rishis, yogis, and devas, he eventually accepted her.

Sivaling

The Sivaling is also symbolic of the Supreme Self. It is verily Maheswara Himself, the Highest Self and the Lord of the universe. In this aspect it has three parts. The lower part represents Brahma. The middle part, which is octagonal in shape, represents Vishnu. The upper part, which is cylindrical in shape, represents Rudra and is also called Pujabhaga since it receives the actual offerings of milk and other substances.

On the physical plane, the object resembles the male sexual organ, suggestive of the creative power of Siva. The circular base resembles that of the female, suggestive of his consort Parvathi. Physically a Sivaling is a phallic symbol, representing the male and female sexual organs in a state of conjugal bliss. Mentally it symbolizes the union of mind and body. Spiritually it represents the union between Purusha and Prakriti, the highest principles of the manifest universe.
 Siva and his family lead austere lives in simple surroundings. He is a god of utter simplicity, exemplary humility and austerity. A tiger skin and an elephant skin serve as his garments. His long matted hair is normally tied into a knot or left flowing. He has four arms. With one he holds his weapon the trident. With another, he holds Damaru, a small drum. The remaining two are held in abhaya  and varada mudras (postures). 

NEXT PAGE