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Kwan Yin statues or figurine.
Kuan Yin, also know as Kwan Yin or Guan Yin, Goddess of mercy or compassion, is the most celebrated goddess in Asia. Regarded as a brilliant light illuminating the darkness of the world, Kwan Yin is an all-encompassing, nurturing mother figure. The five major virtues of the goddess Kwan Yin are said to be mercy, modesty, courage, justice and wisdom. She is also closely associated with the earth, fertility and birth and typically holds a vase filled with the tears of compassion.
About Kwan Yin Statues
In Asian countries
Kuan Yin statues can be found in many of the Buddhist temples may it be in front of or on the grounds. Kuan Yin can be seen in various forms and sizes. She always appears cloaked in white as the color of purity and her gowns are long and flowing. She often be seen holding a rosary in one hand as a sign of her devotion to Buddhism. She can also have a book known as The Lotus Sutra, which points back to her origins, or a vase which represents her outpouring compassion or mercy on to the world.
Often Kwan Yin statues are shown holding a willow branch, which symbolizes of being able to adapt or stand but not break. The willow is also used in rituals and has medicinal purposes. Often, she will be seen holding a child as a reminder of her role as the patron saint of barren women. She can also be seen seated or standing on lotus blossom, main symbols of Buddhist purity. It is a beautiful flower that grows out of mud which means that our hearts should be pure like the lotus flower even though our lives are surrounded by impurities.
The most commonly known appearance or form of Kuan Yin statues is the one having thousand arms, with eyes in the palms or holding different kinds of objects. The thousand arms allow her to help stop the suffering of the people around the world while the thousand eyes help her see the people who are in need of help.
She was considered as enlightenment to the darkness of the world and encircling, cultivating mother figure. Beloved as a mother figure and divine mediatory who is very close to the daily affairs of her worshippers, Kwan Yin's role as Buddhist Madonna has been compared to that of Mary the mother of Jesus in the West.
There are a lot of other forms of Kuan Yin all throughout Asia; In Japan there are 33 different manifestations. You will find shrines dedicated to her not only in China, but in Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Her images can also be seen in Taoist and Confucian temples not just in Buddhist temples.
