In his excellent article, Lee Irvin notes that female deities have always played a significant role in the Chinese religious pantheon. Three of Chinas great goddess – Xiwangmu (the Taoist Queen Mother of the West), the Buddhist bodhisattva Guanyin and Matsu (The Empress of Heaven) – all share the feminine principles of compassion, receptive nature and association with water and darkness, and all are imperially sanctioned divinities. Revered by all sectors of Chinese society from the endorsed government and religious sectors to the masses who embrace Popular Folk Religion and Taoism as well as Buddhism, their roles expanded from divine personages to also mortals with human expressions, emotions and needs. Each epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors and grant health, long life and safety to all devotees regardless of their rank or status. In doing so, they are viewed as interconnected and collectively provide devotees the will and spiritual means to oppose controlling dominant male religious and political forces. All three have popular small local shrines scattered through rural areas as well as large temples and monasteries dedicated to them: the Queen mother in Taoist and Popular Religion places of worship and Guanyin and Matsu in Buddhist and Popular Religion sanctuaries. Guanyin and the Queen Mother are uniquely linked in their roles as guides to a serene death. Guanyin in Pure Land Mahayana belief leads deceased souls to their rebirth in the Western Paradise, which is similar to the Taoist realm into which the Queen Mother guides the deceased.
Source:
Lee Irwin, “Divinity and Salvation: The Great Goddesses of China,” in Asian Folklore Studies, Indiana University, Vol. 49, 1990, pp 53-68.
Showing 13–24 of 37 results
Temples for “Heavenly Empress” Mazu in southern China coastal regions protect sea faring peoples. This motherly home altar statue reflects that although childless, she protects her children – her devotees – as a mother. Seated on lucite base.
Small consecrated home altar provincial Mazu, finely carved on armless back chair dressed modestly in peasant robes with a phoenix in her hat, she is motherly figure who protects her devotees as her children.
Small mage of Queen Mother carved by provisional artisan depicts her as humble and matronly with iconic phoenix on headdress for placement on a home altar. Cavity with original sealed bung indicates it was consecrated.
Large provincial Guanyin is natural and modest rather than idealized in relaxed lalitsana pose. Remarkable oversized crown centered with rustic Amitabha on a lotus with pointed aureole. This personalized depiction is a charming, innocent portrayal of a spiritual subject.
Mazu, protector of sea, is portrayed as the imperially sanctioned “Empress of Heaven” on an elaborate, horseshoe shaped dragon throne, holding a hu tablet, with elegant dragon robes, official’s girdle, Empress headdress and small feet on gilt fu lion foot rest.
Provincial Nanhai Guanyin palms at heart in anjali mudra, a mudra of offering rarely used for Nanhai Guanyin. On lotus throne at Tidal Cave on Putuo under a craggy rock outcrop with pierced openwork.
Rare provincial white hooded Nanhai Guanyin in Cave below openwork draped moss and barbed rocks holding precious scrolls, with vial and parrot. Open lotuses symbolize her purity and enlightenment, closed lotuses potential for enlightenment of others.
Carved from one piece of wood, triad depicts Nanhai Guanyin and 2 acolytes (one deteriorated) , crown centered with Amitabha Buddha in meditation bordered by flames of Buddhism.
Elegant Guanyin in meditation, gilt covered with five-lobed crown. Sacred vial on her right and parrot on left. Guanyins statues with symbols in this condition are rare and impart a feeling of serenity to the environment around them.
Nanhai Guanyin in her Cave in lalitsana, below draped moss arch holding a scrolls, next to vial of humanity’s tears and parrot, her constant companion. Small Nanhai images with these symbols are very rare.
Provincial carving with iconic phoenix headdress, hands in karana mudra to cast out demons, negative energy and purify spaces. Image was on home altar and consecrated with a sealed cover.
Rare Queen Mother on horseback symbolize harmony with nature, magnificent headdress with phoenix, holds elixir of immortality cup granting eternal life.
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