Kwan Yin Mother of Compassion, Mercy and Peace
Her name "Kwan" means "to inquire or look deeply into", and "Yin" means "cries." So Her name means "One Who Sees and Hears the Cry from the Human World."
Known Throughout Asia
One of the most well-loved goddesses Kwan Yin pronounced "Guanyin" is the Chinese name for the female Celestial Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara god. A Bodhisattva is someone who does spiritual practice with the goal of achieving full enlightenment. An Avalokiteśvara is one who beholds or looks upon. Kwan Yin is the pre-eminent goddess in all of Asia. You find Her in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Burma Thailand and other countries. In China. Kwan Yin is usually depicted as a woman. Additionally, some people believe that Kwan Yin is neither male nor female. In China, Kwan Yin is usually shown in a white flowing robe, and usually wearing necklaces of Indian/Chinese royalty.
In Her right hand is a water jar containing pure water, and in the left She holds a willow branch. She often wears a crown usually depicting the image of a Buddha (spiritual teacher) before She became a Bodhisattva. The definition of inquiring deeply into cries is extremely fitting since She is the goddess of Compassion and Mercy. Today Kwan Yin is worshipped by Taoists as well as Mahayana Buddhists especially in Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Her homeland of China, where the practice of Buddhism had been suppressed by the Communists during the Cultural Revolution (1966-69).
Protector of Children and the Marginalized
She is the Protectress of women, children, sailors, merchants, craftsmen, those under criminal prosecution, and is invoked particularly by those who desiring defense. Beloved as a mother figure and divine mediatrix, She is very close to the daily affairs of Her devotees. Kwan Yin's role as Buddhist Madonna has been compared to that of Mary the mother of Jesus in the West. Kwan Yin is known as the Ascended Lady Master who bears the office and title of "goddess of Mercy" because She embodies the god qualities of the law of mercy, compassion and forgiveness.
The True Enlightened One
Mother of Compassion Goddess of Mercy Sometimes Kwan Yin is represented as a multi-armed figure, with each hand either containing a different cosmic symbol or expressing a specific ritual position, or mudra. This characterizes the goddess as the source and sustenance of all things. Her cupped hands often form the Yoni Mudra, symbolizing the womb as the door for entry to this world, through the universal female principle. Kwan 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 things have completed their own enlightenment and thus become liberated from the pain-filled cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Kwan Yin's Story
The goddess of Mercy is unique among the heavenly hierarchy, in that She is so utterly free from pride or vengefulness and She remains reluctant to punish even those to whom a severe lesson might be appropriate. She was said to be the daughter of a famous sovereign dynasty in China, who sternly opposed Her wish to be a nun, and was irritated by Her refusal to marry. To discourage Her from being a nun Her father put Her through humiliating tasks in a convent. This means of coercion failed, and Her father then ordered Her to be executed for disobedience to his wishes.
Rather than obey him She accepted Her fate. But, instead of ascending into pure energy, after Her death, She chose to have Her spirit available to Her devotees on earth so that She may extend mercy and compassion to all who calls upon Her. Invoke Her name when you are in need of mercy and compassion. This goddess loves the company of dragons and doves, and is often depicted with them. Kwan Yin's favorite element is water and Her favorite flower is the Lotus Blossom.
Kwan Yin's Altar
For the Offering to the goddess Kwan Yin We Lay at Her Feet Her Favorite Flower.