Quan Yin Riding The Tiger

The Tiger is a symbol of dignity, ferocity, sternness, courage, protection, the supremacy of intangible forces, wealth and Yin energy.

When Quan Yin is depicted riding a tiger, she is reminding us of her power and poise she utilizes to protect us when we call to her and ask for her assistance.

Quan Yin and the tiger can also provide us with the power to transform our life into a life of fulfillment, enlightenment and mastery of the mundane tasks we must perform in our day to day living, as well as mastery over the material world in which we live in. She also reminds us of our ability to harness the tiger’s power at any given moment to empower ourselves.

 Take a moment to close your eyes and completely relax from your toes through your entire body up to the crown of your head. Now imagine yourself in a peaceful and balanced state of being, harnessing the power of the tiger with Quan Yin to guide you in living your life in harmony and fulfillment.

May peace, fulfillment and find you while riding tiger with Quan Yin.


To see a Tiger's Eye Mala click on image: 
 Tiger Eye Mala 108 Beads on Knotted String

Quan Yin and the Peacock

It is said long ago all of the creatures in the world were behaving badly and Quan Yin came to teach them how to treat each other with love and compassion. As long as Quan Yin was among them, they would treat each other well, but shortly after she left them, they would regress to their old destructive ways and mistreat each other.

Quan Yin returned several times to remind them to be compassionate and loving with each other. Again as soon as Quan Yin would leave them it would not be long before everyone on earth was arguing and fighting. Then one day she came up with a solution. Quan Yin called to her side a large dull brown bird that had very long tail feathers and passed her hands over her face and then over the bird whose plumage was instantly transformed into brilliantly colored shining feathers. At the end of every tail feather is a clear bright eye that stares out at all creatures.  Quan Yin told everyone the peacock would watch over him or her with his eyes and report their behavior to her.

It is said the peacock struts because it is proud of its special role Quan Yin assigned it and that its eyes remind us she is watching over us.

When Quan Yin is pictured with a peacock it reminds us she protects all creatures. Another sign of her guardianship is a depiction of her wearing armor and holding a bow.

To see a Kwan Yin Protection Crystal Pendant click on image:  
 Kwan Yin Quan Evil Eye Protection Crystal Pendant In White Jade

Quan Yin a Bodhisattva

Quan Yin was initially recognized by East Asian Buddhists as the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, commonly known as the Goddess of Mercy in the West.

Quan Yin was introduced into China as early as the 1^st century BCE and reached Japan through Korea after Buddhism was brought into the country during the mid 7^th century.

Representations of Quan Yin in China prior to the Song Dynasty (960  - 1279) were masculine. Later images were displayed in both female and male and are believed to be in accordance with the Lotus Sutra, where Quan Yin (Avalokitesvara) has the power to assume any form necessary to relieve suffering.

Artist, novelists and playwrights celebrate Quan Yin and Buddhists, Taoists and lay people worship her. Quan yin is also invoked by believers of various sectarian religions throughout Asia as well as many who believe in her around the world.

To see a Kuan-Yin in Meditation Pose on Lotus click on image:  
 Kuan-Yin in Meditation Pose on Lotus Statue, Stone

Quan Yin and Filial Parrot

The Precious Scroll of the Parrot tells the story of a parrot, which became a disciple of Quan Yin.

The father of a little parrot has died and his mother is deathly ill. His mother wants to eat cherries, which are only grown in China. Even though being warned of the dangers of encountering people, the parrot ventured out in search of its mother's favorite food. Soon after the little parrot’s departure hunters captured him and discovered his ability to speak. The poachers then sold him to a very wealthy landlord.  

As time moved on the parrot proceeded to give sermons and as a result the hunters who caught him renounced their profession and many people converted to Buddhism.

The rich man who purchased the parrot was stonehearted and refused to free the parrot. One day a Buddhist monk came to visit and suggested a way to escape. The parrot pretended to be dead and when the wealthy man saw him lying still, he threw the parrot on the ground. When the parrot managed to escape and return home, he found his mother dead. The parrot fainted away in grief. Quan Yin moved by the little parrots filial faithfulness came to him and with her willow branch sprinkled the parrot with the holy water of life she keeps in her vase, the parrot was revived. Quan Yin also assisted the parrot’s parents in achieving a good rebirth. In deep gratitude the parrot asked to accompany Quan Yin forever and they sailed slowly towards the Purple Bamboo Grove.

Another depiction of Quan Yin and the little parrot is the white parrot carrying the rosary in its beak flying to meet the Bodhisattva.

To see Kuan Yin Standing on Lotus statue click on image:  
 Kuan Yin On Lotus - Collectible Buddhism Figurine Statue Sculpture

Quan Yin and Lung Nü

The Dragon King sent his granddaughter, a girl named Lung Nü (“dragon girl”) to present Quan Yin with a reward for saving his son from an ill fate after being caught by a fisherman. The gift was the Pearl of Light, which was a precious jewel owned by the Dragon King that shined constantly.

When Lung Nü arrived to present Quan Yin with the Pearl of Light, she became overwhelmed by the presence of Quan Yin and asked to become her disciple to study the Buddha Dharma. Quan Yin accepted Lung Nü’s offer with one request: Lung Nü is to be the new owner of the Pearl of Light.

In popular iconography, Lung Nü and Shan Tsai are often depicted alongside Quan Yin as two children. Lung Nü is seen either holding a bowl or an ingot, which represents the Pearl of Light,

whereas Shan Tsai is seen with palms joined and knees slightly bent to show he was once crippled.

To see a Quan Yin and Child Sandalwood Carved Statue click here:  
 Sandalwood Carved Statue Quan Yin and Child

Quan Yin and the Dragonfish

Many years after Shan Tsai became a disciple of Quan Yin, a distressing event occurred in the South Sea, with one of the son’s of the Dragon King (a ruling god of the sea) who was caught by a fisherman while taking the form of a fish. While being stuck on land, the Dragon King’s son was unable to transform back into his dragon form. His father, despite being a mighty Dragon King, was unable to do anything while his son was on land. Distressed, the son called out to all of Heaven and Earth.

Hearing this cry, Quan Yin quickly sent Shan Tsai to recover the fish and gave him all the money she had. The fish at this point was about to be sold in the market and had caused quite a stir because it was alive hours after being caught. This drew a larger crowd than usual at the market. Many people decided that this prodigious situation meant that eating the fish would grant them immortality and so all present wanted to buy the fish. Soon a bidding war began and Shan Tsai was outbid.

Shan Tsai begged the seller to spare the life of the fish. The crowd became angry someone so daring would make this plea to save this fish. Quan Yin projected her voice from far away saying, "A life should definitely belong to one who tries to save it, not one who tries to take it."

The crowd, realizing their shameful actions and desire, dispersed. Shan Tsai brought the fish to Quan Yin, who promptly returned it to the sea. There the fish transformed back into a dragon and returned home. 

To see Kuan Yin standing on Dragon click on image: 
 Bronze Kuan Quan Kwan Guan Yin Guanyin on Dragon Buddha Statue 14" Tall

Quan Yin and Shan Tsai

Legend has it that Shan Tsai (also called Sudhana in Sanskrit) was a disabled boy from India who was very interested in studying the Buddha Dharma. When he heard there was a Buddhist teacher on the rocky island of Putuo he went there immediately to learn. Upon arriving on the island, Shan Tsai managed to find Bodhisattva Quan Yin despite his severe disability.

Quan Yin, after having a discussion with Shan Tsai, decided to test the boy's determination to fully study the Buddhist teachings. She conjured the illusion of three sword-wielding pirates running up the hill to attack her. Quan Yin took off and dashed to the edge of a cliff, the three illusions were still chasing her.

Shan Tsai, seeing that his teacher was in danger, hobbled uphill. Quan Yin then jumped over the edge of the cliff and soon after the three pirates followed. Shan Tsai, still wanting to save his teacher, managed to crawl his way over the cliff edge.

Shan Tsai fell off the cliff and was halted in midair by Quan Yin, who asked him to walk. Shan Tsai found he could walk normally and he was no longer crippled. When Shan Tsai looked into a pool of water he also discovered he had a very handsome face. From that day forth, Quan Yin taught Shan Tsai the entire Buddha Dharma.

To see a Moonstone "Destiny" Bracelet with Quan Yin click on the image:
 Moonstone "Destiny" Bracelet with Quan Yin Pendant - 7 1/2"

Quan Yin and Mythical Animals

Quan Yin is frequently depicted as riding a mythological animal known as the Hou, which somewhat resembles a Buddhist lion, and symbolizes the divine supremacy exercised by Quan Yin over the forces of nature.

Quan Yin may be seated on an elephant, standing on a fish, nursing a baby, holding a basket, having six arms or a thousand and one or eight heads, one atop the next and four, eighteen or forty hands, in-which she strives to alleviate the sufferings of the world.

Quan Yin’s bare feet are the consistent quality. On public altars, Quan Yin is frequently flanked by two acolytes, to her right a barefoot, shirtless youth with his hands clasped in prayer known as Shan-ts'ai (Golden Youth), and on her left a maid demurely holding her hands together inside her sleeves known as Lung-nü (Jade Maiden). 

To see a Tibetan Wood Gilt Quan Yin click on image: 
 Tibetan Wood Gilt Quan Yin on Dragon Throne

Quan Yin, An Enlightened One

Sometimes Quan Yin is represented as a four armed figure, with each hand either containing a different cosmic symbol or expressing a specific ritual position or mudra. This characterizes the Goddess of Compassion and Mercy as the source and sustenance of all things. Quan Yin’s cupped hands often form the Yoni Mudra, the symbol of the womb, which is the doorway into this world through the universal female principle.

Quan Yin, as a true Enlightened One or Bodhisattva, vowed to remain in the earthly realms and not enter the Heavenly Worlds until all other living beings have completed their own enlightenment and thus become liberated from the pain-filled cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

There are numerous legends that recount the miracles Quan Yin performs to assist those who call on Her. She is a virgin Goddess who protects women, offers them a religious life as an alternative to marriage and grants children to those who desire them.

To see a Quan Yin Bronze Bust click on image: 
 Bronze Statue Quan Yin Bust

Quan Yin the Healer

Quan Yin wears a Violet Robe of Compassion and many turn to her when they are looking for healing or to have children in their lives. If they are in some way unhappy, they will call to Quan Yin.

Often Quan Yin is depicted pouring the nectar of life from a bottle or flask while in Her other hand She holds a mudra (a position) for manifestation, thus evoking health or eternal youth. Sometimes She holds a willow branch for healing, or a lotus for love and purity, and is often seen with a child or children. In truth Quan Yin will hear the call of any heart.

To see a Lavender Jade Guan Yin pendant here: 
 Sterling Silver Lavender Jade "Guan Yin, Goddess of Mercy" Pendant on Chain, 18"

Quan Yin, Miao Shan

According to one ancient legend Quan Yin’s name was Miao Shan, and she was the daughter of an Indian Prince. Youthful and serene, Quan Yin chose to follow a path of self-sacrifice and virtue and became a pious follower of Buddha, therefore attaining the right to budddhahood, but remaining on earth to assist humankind.

To convert Quan Yin’s blind father to Buddhism, she visited him transfigured as a stranger and informed him if he were to swallow an eye of one of his children, his sight would be restored. His children would not consent to the necessary sacrifice, whereupon the future goddess created an eye, which Quan Yin’s father swallowed and he regained his sight. Quan Yin then persuaded her father to join the Buddhist priesthood by pointing out the folly and vanity of a world in which children would not even sacrifice an eye for the sake of a parent. 

To see a Quan Yin Rose Quartz & Jade Mala click on image: 
Rose Quartz and Jade Mala

Quan Yin "Protector of Humankind"

Quan Yin can protect in sorrow, guide seamen and fishermen and render harmless the spears of an enemy in battle.

Quan Yin’s principal temple is on the island of Putuoshan, in the Chusan Archipelago off the Zhejiang coast near Ningbo, which is a major pilgrimage site sacred to the Buddhists, the worship of Quan Yin being its most prominent feature on account of the fact that she is said to have resided there for nine years, reigning as the Queen of the Southern Seas. This site attracts large numbers of pilgrims, who use rattles and fireworks to emphasize their prayers to attract Quan Yin’s attention. In 847, the first temple of Quan Yin was built on this island. 

To see a Quan Yin Protection Talisman click on image: 
Magic Circle Kwan Yin Quan Tibetan Protection Talisman Necklace

Quan Yin, Goddess of the South Sea

In China Quan Yin has many names and is not only known as "great mercy but also as great pity, salvation from misery, salvation from wretchedness, self-existent, thousand arms and thousand eyes," etc. In addition Quan Yin is often referred to as the Goddess of the Southern Sea or Indian Archipelago and has been compared to the Virgin Mary. 

Quan Yin is one of the Three Great Beings renowned for their power over the animal kingdom and the forces of nature.

Quan Yin is usually depicted as a barefoot, gracious woman dressed in beautiful, white flowing robes with a white hood gracefully draped over the top of her head and carrying a small vase of holy dew (However, in the Lamaistic form, common in bronze from eighteenth-century China and Tibet, she is often entirely naked.) Quan Yin stands tall and slender, a figure of infinite grace, her gently composed features conveying the sublime selflessness and compassion that have made her the favorite of all deities.

To see a White Robe Kuan-Yin Statue click on image: 
WHITE ROBE KUAN-YIN ON LOTUS, Real Bronze Powder Cast Statue 12 1/2-inch