Sacred Object
Trishula
Sanskrit: Triśūla
The trishula, or trident, is Shiva's principal weapon and one of the most recognizable attributes in Hindu iconography, also carried by his fierce manifestation Bhairava.
- Category
- Ritual implement
Material Culture & Craftsmanship
Ceremonial and temple trishulas are typically forged in iron or cast in bronze, ranging from small hand-held or shrine-mounted versions to large trishulas planted at temple entrances and Shaiva ashrams as markers of sacred space.
Symbolism
The trident's three prongs are interpreted variously as representing the three gunas (qualities of nature: sattva, rajas, tamas), the three states of consciousness (waking, dreaming, deep sleep), or Shiva's three powers of creation, preservation and destruction — different traditions and commentators emphasize different readings.
Ritual Use
Trishulas are planted at the entrances of Shaiva temples and ashrams as markers of consecrated, protected space, and are a standard iconographic attribute of both Shiva and Bhairava in sculpture and painting.
Sources & References
- A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History and Literature — John Dowson, Trübner & Co. (1879) · Link
Public domain.
- Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic — W. J. Wilkins, Thacker, Spink & Co. (1900)
Public domain.