Kwan Yin

Goddess of Compassion

Kwan Yin/Guan Yin/Quan Yin is a common Chinese name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, embodying ultimate compassion, mercy, and maternal love, known as "She Who Hears the Cries of the World".  Kwan Yin has been an important symbol to me for more than half of my life. I have no background in Buddhism but this beautiful Bodhisattva has become syncretized as a Goddess of compassion, mercy, peace and enlightenment in my personal spirituality.

Sensitivity to Cultural Appropriation

I am in no way trying to relegate Kwan Yin in some over simplified neo-pagan way but trying to convey personal experience and practice. While I acknowledge the issues that arise with cultural appropriation, I approach my relationship with her out of respect and honor as an outsider. I realize that her image is often used superficially or for aesthetic reasons which is disrespectful to her cultural significance and spiritual nature. The image of her lends itself to contemporary appropriation as so much iconography has been assimilated into spiritual movements outside of her original culture from India to Tibet, China, Japan and so on. I imagine she will continue to evolve and change.

Modern Culture and Syncretization

As an interesting example of syncretism, I have heard some groups in the Afro-Caribbean religion, Regla de Ocha (Santeria) call Kwan Yin the “Chinese Oshun” who is the Orisha representing love, beauty, fertility, and fresh water.

Wood carving of Guanyin c. 1025

Cultural Evolution

Originally regarded as male in Indian Buddhism, Kwan Yin has been more commonly depicted as female in China and most of East Asia since about the 12th century. I can understand how people that are trans could see this Goddess of Compassion as a deity that they could identify with.

Icon

Twenty plus years ago I was visiting an Elder in my witch lineage’s home and I noticed this incredible Kwan Yin statue. I mentioned how beautiful I found her and she pointed out this statue had a removable/movable hand (I suspected that is because she is said to turn the wheels of Dharma). The person who gave it to her told her to turn the hand depending on whether you are offering something to her or asking for help. So, for instance, if you were offering incense or water, you would have her palm facing up but if you were asking for healing her palm would face down.

I have found that other people say according to Chinese tradition, Kwan Yin will literally "lend a hand" to those in dire need, which is why the statue's hand is removable. The owner of the statue would pray to Kwan Yin and make a request for healing, etc. and would then carry Kwan Yin's hand until the prayer is granted and then return the hand back to the icon.

Collection of Kwan Yin statues with missing hands.

In yet another version, Kwan Yin's hand is removed and hidden somewhere in the home and as long as Kwan Yin looked for her hand there would be good luck in the home, so clearly, it's not unusual to see a porcelain Kwan Yin statue with a missing hand or the hand is obviously glued into the statue.

Anyhow, it’s a real treasure to find these statues that have the movable hand so keep your eyes open when visiting second hand/antique stores.

Mantra

Buddhists chant “Om Mani Padme Hum” which translates to English as "praise to the jewel in the lotus". The mantra symbolizes transformation and enlightenment. It is chanted to cultivate wisdom, compassion and peace.

Today

In a time that feels so tumultuous and divided I believe one of the things we can learn from Kwan Yin is the deep need for peace, compassion and mercy while acknowledging that change requires strength in adversity through resilience.

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ABOUT SI MANDRAGORA

Si is a Gardnerian High Priest and Minos in the Minoan Brotherhood operating in Flagler County, FL. A practitioner of various kinds of witchcraft since adolescence, he now runs Mandragora Magika, creates occult art, grows all kinds of plants but mostly in love with the poisonous variety. Si holds a degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute.