Kuan Yin
Last Update: November 2008

Kuan Yin, revered throughout Asia for thousands of years, is the Chinese goddess of infinite mercy and compassion. Her name means "she who listens to the sounds (suffering) of the world." She is a symbol of the unlimited compassion each of us can have for ourselves. No matter what the situation, it is possible to treat ourselves with mercy and love. She is said to hear every call, and to answer every prayer. She is a sea goddess.

Names: Hearer of Cries, Most Holy Goddess, Holy Mother, Merciful Mother, and Lady of Compassion. Variations of her name include Kwan-Yin, Kuan-Yin, Quan Yin, Kwannon, Guan Yin, Guanyin, and Miao Shan. Avalokitesvara was her name when she was human.

Appearance: Depicted a classic Chinese beauty wearing a white gown and hair pulled up in a headdress. She's seated on a lotus or majestically riding the back of a dragon. Sometimes she is pictured as the the Thousand-Armed Kuan Yin. She carries special emblems such as a willow brand that she uses to dispense flower essences and ambrosia. She also has a porcelain vase, from which she dispenses pure, sweet and healing unguents or tears. She carries scrolls and books of Buddhist prayers and wisdom as well as a crystal rosary used for mediation.

History: In the Buddhist tradition, she is an aspect of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva who sprang from one of the Buddha's tears. A bodhisattva is a human being who has completed all karma and reached Nirvana. She decided to stay her on earth until all suffering ended. She also once took the form of Miao Shan, a woman who was spurned by her father for refusing to marry; later, Miao Shan sacrificed both arms and legs in order to heal her father.

Magical Themes: mercy, compassion, enlightenment, benevolence, protection, spirituality, wisdom, generosity, justice, benevolence, fertility, peace, vegetarianism, and meditation, righteousness, prayerfulness, loving kindness, spiritual insight, nonviolence, ethical conduct, legal matters, love spells, freedom from pain, kindness to animals, protection from physical or spiritual harm. She helps in times of need or when danger threatens. She can also be invoked for childbirth, banishing fear or hardship, learning how to do no harm, improving your karma, guarding temples, granting favors to women, and protecting mothers, seafarers and small children.

Offerings: To invoke Kwan Yin, simply keep repeating her name. Or chant her Mani Om Mani Padme Hum (Oh-m mah'-nee pahd'-may hoom)

Metals, Gems, & Crystals: Jade and pearls

Related Chakra: Heart - green or pink vibration, self-acceptance, air element,

Related Chakra Stones: Rose quartz, pink tourmaline, emerald ,jade, aventurine, moonstone (pink or green stones)

Related Chakra essences: musk, jonquil, orange flowers

Animals: Carp, dragons, and dolphins

Symbols: rosary, willow branch, and lotus

Herbs, Flowers, Plants & Trees: jasmine, lily, water lily, and lotus. The willow is her sacred tree.

Related Goddesses: Green Tara

Holy Days: January 30 or 31, and February 8 are Kwan Yin's feast days. Her nativity is celebrated on March 28.

Why I feel connected to Kuan Yin

I really like that she is associated with dolphins. I have always been fascinated by them and have a large collection for them as well. I ask for Her guidance in helping me to heal old wounds from my childhood, learning to have compassion for myself. I ask Her to help me let go of the things and forgive those that I feel have harmed me. I call upon her help me find peace in my life and be kind to others. I ask her to guide me to be less self absorbed and more in tune with the world around me. I also appeal to Her to help guide me in mediation and spiritual matters.

LINKS & READING:

The Garden: A great site with lot's great info on my Goddesses. I love her section on lessons of the Goddess, this is similar to the format in a Goddess is a Girls Best Friend and is very helpful. She always has a wonderful poem to go with each Goddess that fits them perfectly. Watch out for mass pop-up's though.

Goddess.com: Affirmation, Mantra and Chakra information.

Mentioned in these books: The Book of the Goddesses - Roni Jay, A Goddess is a Girl's Best Friend and The Goddess Path

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Favorite Inspirational Quotes

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. -- Lord Buddha

YOU must be the change you wish to see in the world.

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. ~ - Oprah

Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion. - The Dalai Lama

True spirituality is a mental attitude that you can practice at any time - Dalai Lama