Chinese Kwan-Yin Statues

Kwan-Yin statues, also known as Quan Yin statues or Kuan Shih Yin, represent a Buddhist deity of compassion. This bodhisattva, per the Lotus Sutra, brings relief to those who are suffering and is able to transform into many different figures in order to best relate to a person.

Chinese Kwan-Yin statues are typically rendered as a woman holding a willow branch, carrying a vase of water, or with a lotus blossom. The willow branch represents healing of illnesses and the ability to bend but not break, while the water and lotus represent purity. Kwan-Yin is also often wearing or holding beads. These beads represent living beings, and the turning of these beads represent the rebirth of people into nirvana.

While Kwan-Yin appeared in Chinese history as early as 960 B.C., early forms of Kwan-Yin were almost exclusively male. However, during the Ming dynasty, Kwan-Yin took the form of a woman. There were several reasons for this adaptation – one being that compassion was considered a feminine characteristic.

Quick Facts

• While the Chinese refer to this deity as “Kwan-Yin”, the original name in Indian Buddhist culture is Avalokitesavra. The common belief in China is that Kwan-Yin was first born as the male Avalokitesavra and later reformed as a woman, Kwa-Yin
• Kwan-Yin is often referred to as the Asian Madonna as she is seen as a motherly figure to all people
• Kwan-Yin statues are often portrayed with many arms and many heads. This is to represent her desire to bring aid to many people with her many arms, and to see all those who are in need with her many eyes
• <a href=”https://www.invaluable.com/chinese-foo-dog-statues/sc-FNUG5RRYEG/”>Chinese Foo Dog Statues</a> are also of significance to many Chinese households as they guard the door to the home or a specific room in the house.