lingam

1 9.9

A symbol in Hinduism that represents god Shiva and shows creative power, often in the shape of a penis

noun
/ˈlɪŋɡəm/

: lingam

In the temple, the worshippers gathered around the lingam to offer their prayers to Shiva.

OK, In Cambodia, you have Lingams underwater.

Examples

Several temples in Trinidad have lingams, stones representing Lord Shiva, which Trinidadian Hindus believe have grown in size since they were discovered.

Academic text (2003)
A heated spike, a sort of nine-inch lingam done all in stainless steel: the alimentary French.

Fiction book (1997)
And the male takes the breath in, goes all the way down to the lingam or the penis and hold.
This rock is the same shape as the Kedarnath lingam.

Academic text (2003)
A sacred story is associated with the lingam of two separate temples, similar in form.

Academic text (2003)
OK, In Cambodia, you have Lingams underwater.

Danny Jones
Informants claim that true faith and worship cause the lingams to grow.

Academic text (2003)
Sanachariya estimates that more than 5,000 people pay their respects to the lingam on Shiva Ratri, a Hindu holy day (Prorok 1988).

Academic text (2003)
The lingam in this shrine is believed to represent the divine energy of Lord Shiva.
As part of their rituals, devotees pour milk and water over the lingam as an act of reverence.

Synonyms

phallus

vslingam

4 8.4

The male body part often shown as a symbol of power or fertility

is a sacred emblem of Shiva shown as generative divine energy rather than anatomy

linga

vslingam

1 9.9

A carved stone or object that represents the god Shiva

is shown as a phallic symbol signifying generative power and divine energy

Surface Forms

lingam singular

lingams plural

Etymology

Lingam comes from the Sanskrit liṅga, which means 'mark' or 'sign'. In Hindu use it became a stone symbol of the god Shiva's 'creative power', often shown in the shape of a male organ, so a lingam is remembered as the sacred sign of divine creation.