The dancing lord Shiva represents the constant process of creation, preservation and destruction of the universe. He trods on the dwarf, symbolic of ignorance and laziness. The upper right hand holds a drum which is a symbol of creation. The opposite hand, the upper left, bears on its palm a tongue of flames, symbol of destruction. The second right hand is held in the abhaya pose (literally without fear), a gesture of protection. The left leg is raised towards the right leg and reaches across it; the lower left hand is stretched across the body and points to the upraised left foot which represents release from the cycle of birth and death. The ring of fire, prabhamandala, in which Siva dances is the hall of consciousness or entire universe (okie, here it is a debian logo For more details see: http://www.google.com/search?q=nataraja+symbolism