The aniconic representation of Lord Shiva in Hinduism. Shiva of the highest level is limitless, formless, transcendental and beyond human perception. Shiva is therefore worshipped by a formless mark, the lingam. The
popular Hindu connotation associated with lingam is that of a "pillar of
fire" from which Shiva arose. The connotation professed in the West is that of the human
male organ.