Kuan Yin

Widely worshipped in Buddhist East Asia, Guanyin is a Bodhisattva embodying compassion. Her original name Kuan-shi Yin is a Chinese translation of the Sanskrit Avalokitesvara, meaning “[the one who] perceives the sounds of the world”. Both Bodhisattvas constantly hear the world’s lamentations and are always ready to rescue the ones crying for help. A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being who, having earned to leave the world of suffering, forgoes the bliss of Nirvana for the sake of the liberation of all sentient beings.
Guan Yin’s veneration was introduced to China in the 1st century AD, but prior to the Song Dynasty all of her representations were masculine. Later images show both female and male attributes: according to the Lotus Sutra a Bodhisattva can transform their body in any form required to relieve suffering. In the modern period Guan Yin is depicted as a beautiful woman sitting or standing on a lotus flower, wearing a white flowing robe symbolizing purity and holding a pure water jar symbolizing good fortune, compassion and wisdom. Often she holds a willow branch that she uses to sprinkle divine nectar upon the devotees. In some legends Guan Yin appears with a thousand arms and a thousand eyes to reach all the ones in need, in others she turns herself into modest characters to rescue criminals, fishermen and monks.

High quality print on aquarel cardboard 300g. The rough surface has an irregular, somewhat course texture that gives the print a tangible, vivid appearance.