"Shiva and Parvati on Nandin, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper from Rajasthan, Jaipur, India ", 1770 San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, California, USA

Nandin is represented as the noble vehicle (Vahana) or conveyance of Shiva. Nandin means "giving joy" and is represented by a Zebu bull with potent male organs. Many of the attributes of Shiva are illustrated, mainly, the flowing stream from the Galactic or Lactic way (Ganga) into the matted hair fertilizing fluid, the sickle of the moon (life and death), the cord across the chest (self control), hand beads (time), and a trident (control of nature).