* Ashes: Shiva smears his body with ashes (bhasma). In this connection, he is called Vibhootibhooshana(Sanskrit: vibhooti = ashes, bhooshana = ornament, or one who is ornamented). Some forms of Shiva, such asBhairava, are associated with a very old Indian tradition of cremation-ground asceticism that was practiced by some groups who were outside the fold of brahmanic orthodoxy. These practices associated with cremation grounds are also mentioned in the Pali canon of Theravada Buddhism. One epithet for Shiva is "Inhabitant of the cremation ground" (Sanskrit: smasanavasin, also spelled Shmashanavasin) referring to this connection.

* Tiger skin: He is often shown seated upon or wearing a tiger skin. In this connection, he is calledKrittivaasa (Sanskrit: kritti = tiger skin, vaasa = attire or cloth to wear, or one who is wearing).

* Serpents: Shiva is often shown garlanded with a snake, for which he is also called Naagabhooshana(Sanskrit: naaga = serpent, bhooshana = adorned or ornamented, or one who has adorned himself with).

* Trident: (Sanskrit: Trishoola) Shiva's particular weapon is the trident.

* Other divine & neuclear weapons: Lord Shiva also holds, often in his five-headed [for which he is called Panchaanana (Sanskrit: pancha = five, aanana= head or face), ten-armed form, many weapons, among which the particular ones are the axe, the scimitar, which is called the Chandrahaasa, or one with the smile of the moon, his arrows and bow, which is called thePinaaka, for which, Shiva is also called Pinaaki, or one holding the Pinaaka.

* Drum: A small drum shaped like an hourglass is known as a "damaru" (Sanskrit). For this, Shiva is also called Damarudhara (Sanskrit, "one who is holding thedamaru; dhar = holder). This is one of the attributes of Shiva in his famous dancing representation, known asNataraja. A specific hand gesture (mudra) called Damaru-hasta (Sanskrit for "Damaru-hand") is used to hold the drum. This drum is particularly used as an emblem by members of the Kaapaalika sect.

* Nandi, also known as Nandin, is the name of the bull, that serves as Shiva's mount (Sanskrit: vaahana). For this, Shiva is known as Vrishavaahana (Sanskrit: vrisha= bull, vaahana = mount, or one who is mounting). Shiva's association with cattle is reflected in his namePashupati or Pasupati (Sanskrit: pashu = animal, pati = lord), translated by Sharma as "Lord of cattle" and by Kramrisch as "Lord of Animals", who notes that it is particularly used as an epithet of Rudra.