Śiva and his Emblems on Early Indian Coins and Seals

Summary

The study of symbols on early Indian coins and seals reveals connections to religious practices and deities, particularly Shiva. Scholars suggest symbols like mountain motifs (three-, five-, or six-arched) may hold cult significance, possibly representing *trisriga parvata* with a lunar crescent. A human figure depicted on some Ujjain coins, holding a staff and vase, is tentatively identified as Shiva. However, interpretations remain speculative due to limited evidence. Symbols on these coins often mirror those from the Indus Valley seals, though their exact meanings are unclear. Local and tribal contexts provide more confidence in identifying symbols tied to specific cults. As iconism gained prominence, deities like Buddha and Shiva appeared on coins, often alongside older symbols. For instance, the humped bull, a common motif, likely represents Shiva theriomorphically. A unique gold coin of an Indo-Scythic king features a bull with Greek and Kharosthi legends (*Tauros* or *Usabbe*), suggesting Shiva worship. Coins also depict early attempts to represent Shiva anthropomorphically, such as a crude lingam on a pedestal alongside a sacred tree and female figure, possibly linked to his cult. While direct sculptural parallels are rare for Shiva in early periods, comparisons with Gandhara Buddha coins (e.g., Kanishka’s issues) show how numismatic types often derive from contemporary sculptures. The transition from symbolic to iconic representations reflects broader religious shifts, with older symbols retained as attributes. For example, the bull evolved from a deity’s vehicle to an accompanying figure as anthropomorphic forms emerged. These numismatic depictions, though uncertain in some cases, offer valuable insights into early Indian religious practices and iconographic development.