Can someone explain the significance behind Lord Shiva being depicted as "Lingam"?

Question

It in fact resembles the phallus and yonis.

Answer 1

No the lingam does not represent phallus.

Shiva is a state of conciousness....when the Exellence diffentiate its energy for manifestation of universe, the third differentiation is Shiva and shakti.

This is a state, where there is no time, no space and no forms and no names. In this state, shakti the negative polarity is trying to manifest...and the consciousness (shiva) is trying to enter the Shakti so that universe starts. This is like copulation of male and female. This copulation of consciousness and energy(shiva&shakti)...is the root cause of the birth of universe

To depict shiva and shakti in such a state, the formless, timeless and ready to give birth to universe...is worshipped as Shiva Lingam, Shakti (Yoni) under it.

Answer 2

"Lingam" can mean Phallus.

Lingam , meaning “mark” or “sign,” is used as a symbol for the worship of the Hindu God Shiva. Lingam is usually found with Yoni, the pedestal. As such, Lingam represented the male entity of the universe, while Yoni represented the female.

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Answer 3

Will is Divine attribute. Why do you think people call child"s willie- willie? Symbol of Fallus represents will in human body, but Will cannot be without its source where things manifests by will. So, yoni is counterpart of a will, makes Will significantly existing while united. Actually, Yoni and Fallus is the same thing only vice versa, Symbolic representation of Will which is God itself.Penis and vagina is dim materialization of a God's Will which humans ignorantly screwed up.