Quan Yin 观音

Quan Yin is one of the most frequently seen deities on Chinese altars. In Sanskrit, she is called “Born of the Lotus” in which lotus represents purity, peace and harmony. Unlike other Buddhist Gods, Quan Yin is loved instead of feared and is also the model of Chinese beauty.Although Quan Yin is often portrayed as a beautiful women, many Buddhists believe that Quan Yin was originally a male called Avalokitesvara who was transformed into a female upon her introduction into China, when she became famous.
Avalokitesvara was an Indian Boddhisatvara, “The Merciful Lord of Enlightenment”, who chose to remain on Earth to relieve the suffering of others instead of enjoying the ecstasies of Nirvana. It is also believed that Quan Yin was a Buddhist, who through love and sacrifice, had the opportunity to enter Nirvana. However, while standing at the gates of paradise, she heard the cries of anguish from Earth below.

She then decided to go back to Earth, renouncing her reward of bliss eternal, and instead finding her place in the hearts of the suffering. She vowed to help all other living things complete their enlightenment and be free from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Quan Yin is the only figure in the Chinese pantheon that appears in a great variety of images.There is said to be thousands of different reincarnations and manifestations of her.However, Quan Yin is most commonly portrayed as a barefoot, gracious lady dressed in a beautiful, white flowing robe. A white hood is gracefully draped over her head as she carries a small, upturned vase of holy dew. White symbolizes her purity while the dew represents compassion and wisdom. In other cases, she is also seen wearing necklaces of Chinese or Indian royalty and a crown that depicts the image of Amitabha Buddha.