The Hindu god Shiva appears in several incarnations. Here, Shiva appears as the king of the dance. He raised his left foot in an elegant dancing pose. In his upper right hand, Nataraja holds a drum, the sound of which embodies creation. The flame he held in his upper left hand symbolized destruction. Together they symbolize the creation and destruction of the universe. The gestures of the lower left and lower right palms of the icon indicate protection. The foot resting on the demon's back symbolizes the elimination of ignorance, while the raised left foot symbolizes salvation. A now-missing ring of fire, symbolizing the simultaneous and continuing creation and destruction of the universe, will surround the bronze icon.