Quan Yin "She Who Hears the Cries of the World"

Quan Yin is a shortened form of a name that means One Who Sees and Hears the Cries from the Human World. Her Chinese title signifies, "She who always observes or pays attention to sounds," i.e., she who hears prayers. Sometimes possessing eleven heads, Quan Yin is surnamed Sung-Tzu-Niang-Niang, "lady who brings children." She is a goddess of fecundity as well as of mercy. 




Worshipped especially by women, Quan Yin comforts the troubled, the sick, the lost, the senile and the unfortunate. Quan Yin’s popularity has grown such through the centuries that she is also regarded as the protector of seafarers, farmers and travelers.

Quan Yin cares for souls in the underworld, and is invoked during post-burial rituals to free the soul of the deceased from the torments of purgatory. There are temples all over China dedicated to this goddess. 

To see a Kuan-Yin with Baby statue click on image: 
Small Kuan-Yin with Baby Statue, Stone, 6.25"H

Quan Yin "Born of the Lotus"

One of the most frequently seen deities on altars in China's temples is Quan Yin. In Sanskrit, her name is Padma-pâni, or "Born of the Lotus." Quan Yin, alone among Buddhist gods is loved rather than feared and is the model of Chinese beauty. She was originally male until the early part of the 12th century and has evolved since that time from her prototype, Avalokiteshvara, "the merciful lord of utter enlightment," an Indian bodhisattva who chose to remain on earth to bring relief to the suffering rather than enjoy for himself the ecstasies of Nirvana.

One of the several stories surrounding Quan Yin is that she was a Buddhist who through great love and sacrifice during her life had earned the right to enter Nirvana after death. However, like Avlokiteshvara, while standing before the gates of Paradise she heard a cry of anguish from the earth below. Turning back to earth, Quan Yin renounced her reward of eternal bliss and in its place found immortality in the hearts of the suffering. 

To see Quan Yin Tapestry click on image: 
Quan Yin Bridge Tapestry Wall Hanging

Quan Yin Goddess of Compassion

Quan Yin means "one who hears the cries of the world" and personifies the compassion of the Buddha for all who need her assistance. She is the embodiment of the yin principle and is usually represented as a young female deity. Quan Yin has the power to assume whichever form necessary to carry out her vow, which is to lead beings out of suffering. She is often shown holding a vase containing the waters of compassion, the lotus flower of enlightenment or the jewel of three treasures. Quan Yin is also seen with dragons, symbols of fertility, goodness, strength and authority. Dragons are also known as protectors of the faith, keeping watch over temples and even Heaven itself.

To see a Quan Yin Porcelain Drip Fountain statue click on image: 
Beautiful Drip Fountain Porcelain Standing Quan Yin Statues with Dragons.

Quan Yin of a Thousand Arms

In one of many legends of Quan Yin, it is said she was the daughter of a sovereign of the Chou dynasty, who strenuously opposed her wish to be a nun and was so irritated by her refusal to marry that he put her to humiliating tasks in the convent. This form of coercion failed and Quan Yin’s father then ordered her to be executed for disobedience to his wishes. The executioner, a man of tender heart and some forethought, brought it about that the sword, which was to descend upon Quan Yin should break into a thousand pieces. Quan Yin’s father then ordered her to be stifled. As the story goes, Quan Yin went to Hell, but upon her arrival the flames were quenched and flowers burst into bloom. Yama, the presiding officer, looked on in dismay at what seemed to be the summary abolition of his post and in order to keep his position he sent Quan Yin back to life again. Carried in the fragrant heart of a lotus flower Quan Yin went to the island of Putuo, near Ningbo.

One day Quan Yin’s father fell ill and according to a Chinese custom, she cut flesh from her arms and made it into medicine. The cure was effective and in his gratitude, Quan Yin’s father ordered her statue to be made "with completely-formed arms and eyes." Due to a misunderstanding of the order, the sculptor carved the statue with many heads and many arms, and so it remains to this day.

To see a Bronze Thousand Arm Quan Yin click on image:
Bronze Thousand Arm Quan Yin