Brahma ji, Vishnu ji, and Shiva ji

Trimurti: Brahma ji (creation), Vishnu ji (preservation), and Shiva ji also called Mahesh (dissolution and renewal). Together they show how the world begins, is kept in order, and changes.

How to recognize each figure

Brahma ji (creator)

• Sacred emblems: Vedas or book, kamandalu, rosary; sometimes lotus—not the same weapon set as Vishnu ji or Shiva ji.
• Dress: Sage-king look—crown, beard, light jewelry; rarely heavy battle armor.
• Heads: Often four faces; red or pink skin in many images.
• Vahana: Swan or goose.

Vishnu ji (preserver)

• Weapons: Shankha, Sudarshan chakra, gada, lotus (or abhaya)—the chakra and gada are the clearest weapon-type signs.
• Dress: Royal ornaments, Kaustubha, Shrivatsa—some images add warrior chest pieces.
• Form: Four arms, blue skin; Garuda may appear at the base.

Shiva ji / Mahesh (transformer)

• Weapons: Trishul (trident)—his chief weapon; damaru (sacred drum); snake as ornament or belt; sometimes fire or abhaya.
• Dress: Tiger skin or deerskin; serpents; tripundra ash—fierce lord style more than polished plate armor.
• Marks: Matted hair, third eye, crescent, Ganga in hair; blue throat in many images.
• Vahana: Nandi the bull at the base when shown standing.