In the Ardhanarishvara representations, the great god’s body is shown as a complete whole divided vertically into two halves: the left half shows him as a male, while the right half represents his Shakti (power) in the female form of his consort, the goddess Parvati. Shiva is both male and female, spirit and matter, the seed and the womb of the universe; so great is the god that he encompasses and transcends all dualities.

Shiva’s body is divided following standard iconographic conventions, in this watercolor painting on Patti folk art from the temple town Puri. The left/male side shows him as a Hindu man, his hair tied in the style of an Indian ascetic. Leopard skin is wrapped around his waist and a snake is coiled around his neck. In contrast, the right/female side is the goddess half of Ardhanarishvara, with the body and accoutrements of an Indian woman with pleated costume and elaborate precious jewelry. She is painted yellow and her palms have been dipped in henna. She has long black hair, much of it concealed by an opulent diadem.