Shiva (The auspicious one) is the "Destroyer" among the Trimurti. He is considered as supreme Brahman according to Shaivism. Use this tag to ask questions that concern about Shiva in any of his forms
Shiva is Lord of Death and very well known as Mahadev("Greater God"). Shiva has many benevolent and fearsome forms. At the highest level Shiva is limitless, transcendent, unchanging and formless. He lives on mountain Kailash with his wife Parvati and two children Kartikeya & Ganesha. Shiva is also regarded as the patron god of yoga and arts.
The main iconography attributes of Shiva are the third eye on his forehead, the snake Vasuki around his neck, the crescent moon adorning, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the trishula as his weapon and the damaru as his instrument.
Shiva is usually worshiped in the aniconic form of Lingam. The other popular names associated with Shiva are Mahadev, Mahesh, Maheshwar, Shankar, Shambhu, Rudra, Har, Trilochan, Devendra (meaning Chief of the gods) and Trilokinath (meaning Lord of the three realms).
Shiva's role as the primary deity of Shaivism is reflected in his epithets Mahadeva ("Great God"), Mahesvara and Paramesvara ("Supreme Lord").
Source: Shiva on Wikipedia.
