A beloved goddess who often graces the altars of Chinese temples, Kuan Yin (also: Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Guan Yin) is regarded as the goddess of mercy . Buddhist mythology suggests she was a bodhisattva (enlightened being) who renounced her right to enter through the Gates of Paradise, when the cries of anguish from those suffering on Earth prompted her to return . Rather than accepting her gift of never-ending happiness, she instead became the compassionate protector of man. Kuan Yin was initially depicted as a man, an Indian bodhisattva very similar to Avalokiteshvara whose story is identical.
The image of Quan Yin as a woman started around the 12th century . Many scholars believe this is the influence of the Lotus Sutra which suggested that Avalokiteshvara was a shape shifter who could take on any guise required to end suffering and anguish. He also possessed the power to grant children to couples. This very likely caused artists of the time to depict the bodhisattva as a “mother goddess.” Her role as patron of women and bringer of comfort to the sick and suffering, further solidified the female imagery . Chinese Buddhists fully embraced this concept of the female Kuan Yin, though some cultures believe Kuan Yin to be both a man and a woman, or simply a spiritual being.
Kwan Yin is known by many different names . From the great mercy, great pity to salvation from anguish to thousand arms and thousand eyes they names to describe her deep compassion are endless. She is also known as one of the Three Great Beings influence the realm of nature and beast. Kuan Yin statues and sculptures in China portray the mother goddess as the pinnacle of beauty in white flowing robes. She is usually seen with a white hood over her head and carrying a vase of “holy dew.” Other popular portrayals include statues of Kuan Yin holding a child, Kuan Yin standing on dragon or Quan Yin clutching a rosary.
Over time her popularity has increased and she has come to be seen as a protector of sailors, farmers and travelers. Especially popular in South China, she is worshipped at temples with the belief that she has the power to grant a family a son or beautiful daughter . She is viewed as a standard of beauty in the Chinese culture and those wishing to pay compliment to the parents of a young girl might refer to her as a “Kuan Yin.”
Like Buddhists, Taoists also incorporated Kuan Yin into their religion. Additionally, some modern new age movements have included Kuan Yin in their teachings. As compassionate, female religious icons, Kuan Yin and the Virgin Mary have many similarities. During a time in Japanese history when Christianity was for bid in, Japanese Christians used Quan Yin as a stand-in for the Virgin Mary. She continues to be a popular figure around the world as a symbol of compassion and caring.