| A beloved goddess who often graces the altars of | | | | simply a spiritual being. |
| Chinese temples, Kuan Yin (also: Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, | | | | Kwan Yin is known by many different names. She is |
| Guan Yin) is regarded as the goddess of mercy. | | | | "salvation from misery... the great mercy, great pity... |
| Legend suggests she was a bodhisattva (enlightened | | | | salvation from anguish... thousand arms and thousand |
| being) who renounced her right to enter through the | | | | eyes." Along with Manjusri and Samatabhadra she is |
| Gates of Paradise, when the cries of anguish from | | | | one of the Three Great Beings who possess powers |
| those suffering on Earth prompted her to return. | | | | over nature and the animals. Kuan Yin statues and |
| Forsaking her gift of eternal bliss, she instead | | | | sculptures in China most often depict the goddess as |
| assumed the role of compassionate protector of | | | | a beautiful woman in white, flowing robes. She is |
| man. It's believed that Kuan Yin originated as a male | | | | usually seen with a white hood over her head and |
| archetype patterned after Avalokiteshvara, an Indian | | | | carrying a vase of "holy dew." Other popular |
| bodhisattva, whose story is similar. | | | | portrayals include statues of Kuan Yin holding a child, |
| The image of Quan Yin as a woman started around | | | | standing on dragon or clutching a rosary. She is also |
| the 12th century. This has been attributed to the | | | | seen in many of the iconic Buddha poses (mudra) |
| writings in the scriptures of the Lotus Sutra which | | | | such as lotus, earth touching and teaching. |
| suggested that Avalokiteshvara could take any form | | | | Her popularity has increased over the centuries and |
| required to end anguish and suffering. It was also | | | | she is viewed as a protector of sailors, farmers and |
| believed that he possessed the ability to grant | | | | those who travel. Especially popular in South China, |
| children. This very likely caused artists of the time to | | | | she is worshipped at temples with the belief that she |
| depict the bodhisattva as a "mother goddess." Her | | | | has the power to grant a family a son or beautiful |
| role as patron of women and bringer of comfort to | | | | daughter. She is viewed as a standard of beauty in |
| the sick and suffering, further solidified the female | | | | the Chinese culture and those wishing to pay |
| imagery. This female representation became the | | | | compliment to the parents of a young girl might refer |
| popular notion in China, though some cultures believe | | | | to her as a "Kuan Yin. |
| Kuan Yin to be a man, both man and woman, or | | | | |