In Nataraja, the drum represents emanation, the fire in the upright left hand dissolution, the upheld right hand sustaining, and he has two more powers, that of revealing, and concealing grace. If you google symbolism of Nataraja, you'll see more. Besides being the eternal dancer, a beautiful form in and of itself, He's also so much more. Nataraja is my favorite form for God, the lingam representing unmanifest Reality being close. Traditionally the trident represents the triple bondage of anva Karma and maya, and He 'destroys' these three to bring on enlightenment, moksha, whatever.
On a side note, at the annual festival (brahmotsavam) this morning, I meditated on a personal topic, and prayed for quite a while in front of the lingam, leaving it with 'It's in your hands now'. Three minutes or less after I got up to go back to where the main ceremony was happening, a friend beckoned me over, and totally answered the topic for me. Such are the mysterious ways of our great God Siva. Love of Siva will change your life.