Mukhalinga

The four- and five-faced mukhalingas represent the five aspects of Shiva,[2] which also relate to the classical elements, and the cardinal directions.

[8] The covering or sheath is also known as a kosha or linga-kosha, and can be called of metal alloys, gold or silver or[9] copper.

The five faces relate Shiva to the classical elements, the directions, the five senses and five parts of the body.

[13] The top face is known as Ishana or Sadashiva, who is rarely depicted and governs zenith and the sky (Akasha).

Nandi bears on the forehead the sectarian mark (tilaka) of the Shaivas (worshippers of Shiva) and floral earrings.

Bhairava, the terrible form of Shiva, is generally depicted angry; however may have a gentler expression.

The rosary signifies Death or Time, while the water-pot stands for its antithesis, amrita, the elixir of life.

[5][10] Eight faced shivalinga is located at Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh) along the banks of River Shivana locally known as "Ashtamukhi Pashupatinath" which is claimed to be unique in terms of its sculpture.

[5] They also appear in the former Champa kingdom, presently in Vietnam as well as Cambodia and Borneo in the south east Asia[9][14] and Afghanistan to the west of India.

[7] One of earliest specimen of a mukhalinga is a five-faced one in Bhita, which is dated to second century BCE.

Alain Daniélou says that mukhalingas of Shiva resemble similar depictions of phalluses with carved faces from Greece and those from Celtic Europe.

He also notes the phalluses with full human figures are also found in France and India, citing the second-century Gudimallam Lingam as an early example.