Head from an image of the Hindu deity Shiva

The tall pile of hair and the symbol on it representing the sacred syllable om identify this head as that of the Hindu deity Shiva. Both Hinduism and Buddhism had followers in the kingdom of Angkor, but most kings worshiped Shiva above all, and associated themselves with him. Several aspects of Shiva's divine personality, such as his connection with fertility and with mountains, would have resonated with Cambodian rulers. Shiva here wears a standard sort of Angkorian tiara that is wrapped around the head and tied in back .