The Dalliance Of Shiva And Parvati, a photo by DeForestRanger on Flickr.

The Yab-yum depicts Shiva and Parvati in "dalliance," and some say it was in this moment that the Universe was created. Shiva is known as both Creator and Destroyer, a masculine deity both benevolent and malevolent, subject to moods and whims similar to those of ordinary humans. Parvati is the source of enlivening energy, a counterpart to Shiva and also the mother of all other gods and goddesses, a symbol of utmost femininity. The pair gave birth to Ganesha and his brother Skanda, the latter being the least well-known of the family.

This brass sculpture was one of many representations of Hindu deities collected by my mother whose theology tended toward the Eastern style. In accord with the energy represented by this legendary pair, I gave the image an infrared treatment to provide a mystical glow around the figures. I think it would please my mom to see them so.