Indian Hindu Holy Figure: Shiva

This is a wall hanging representing Shiva, Sanskrit for “Auspicious One.” Shiva is one of the main deities of Hinduism, whom Shaivas worship as the supreme god. Hindus often display representations of Hindu gods in their homes.

Shiva is the destroyer of all evil. Although he is said to be the "angry god," according to Hinduism, creation follows destruction. Therefore Shiva is also regarded as a reproductive power, which restores what has been dissolved.

Shiva is represented in a variety of forms. He is most commonly shown as a dark-skinned ascetic with a blue throat. Shiva is usually seated cross-legged on a tiger skin, with his hair matted and coiled on his head, adorned with a snake and a crescent moon. The Ganga river is always depicted flowing out of his topknot. Shiva most often has four arms and three eyes. The third eye, in the middle of his forehead, is always closed and only opens to annihilate an evil doer. A garland of skulls, rudraksha prayer beads, or a snake hangs from his neck. Shiva also wears snakes as armlets and bracelets. In one hand, Shiva holds his trident  which usually has a "damaru" or waisted drum tied to it. In another hand, he holds a conch shell, and in the third, a rudraksha rosary, a club, or a bow. One hand is usually empty, raised in a gesture of blessing and protection. The other points to his feet, where the devotee is assured of salvation. He wears a tiger or leopard skin around his waist, and his upper body is usually bare, but smeared with ashes, as befits an ascetic.
Shiva also appears in many other different forms.  

Hinduism is the oldest living religion, about 4,000 – 5,000 years old. Hindu people believe that Brahman is the creator, preserver and transformer of existence. Gods that are part of Brahman include Vishnu, the preserver god, and Shiva, the god of destruction. Hinduism came from India. No one person founded the religion. There are many Hindu holy books. Hindus honor their deities through worship. Hindus tell stories of the ways that the gods interact with each other and with humans. Hindus believe in rebirth after death (reincarnation); their goal is to escape the movement of the soul into another body and to become one with Brahman.  
Source:
http://www.gurjari.net/ico/Mystica/html/shiva.htm
"Shiva." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopedia