25. Shiva Carries a Trident
Known as a “trishula” in Hinduism, Shiva’s trident is a significant weapon that he has always possessed. He used it to cut the head off of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha. Each of the points has a unique meaning that is critical to Hindu belief, such as past, present, and future; or creation, maintenance, and destruction. Shiva’s Trishula serves both as a weapon and as an instrument of creation. It remains a powerful symbol among Hindu communities; in Nepal, it is a symbol of the communist party.