A solid gold ring with carnelian intaglio of Nandi Khmer, 7th-12th century | 高棉 七至十二世紀 金嵌红玉髓凹雕聖牛南迪紋戒指

Nandi is one of the most important deities in Hindu culture, being the bull vahana of the Hindu god Shiva. He is also the guardian deity of Kailash, which is both the abode of Shiva and the stairway to heaven. The image of Nandi is a pervasive presence in Hindu material culture, and stone images of a seated Nandi are displayed upon almost all Shiva temples facing the main shrine. Such an image of him, waiting for Shiva silently and faithfully, is the most common depiction. It symbolises meditativeness, one of the greatest virtues in Hindu-Buddhist culture.

Many virtues are symbolised by Nandi, such as power, virility, and joy. However, most significantly, Nandi is believed to promote fertility. It is for this reason that temple visitors often touch him for blessings. Seen on jewelry, the meditative symbol of Nandi above all else reminds the wearer to be aware of one’s presence and existence, embracing a sense of calm and peace.

南迪是印度教文化中最重要的神祇之一，他是印度教主神之一濕婆的坐騎牛。同時，南迪也是濕婆居所吉羅娑山的守護神，這裡也被相信是通往眾神之地的階梯。南迪的形像在印度教物質文化中無處不在，幾乎在所有濕婆神廟中，面向主神殿的位置上都有石刻的南迪坐像。南迪如此默默地、忠實地等待著濕婆這一情景也是他最常見的形象之一，象徵著印度教及佛教文化中最偉大的修行之一：冥想。

南迪同時也代表著許多美德，例如力量、男子氣概、和歡喜。然而這其中最顯著一點的是人們相信南迪可以促進生育。正因為這個原因，參拜者們會觸摸寺廟裡的南迪以獲取祝福。當南迪象徵的冥想以至高無上的地位出現在飾品上時，它提醒著佩戴者註意當下的體驗，並享受平靜與和平的感覺。