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 29 results
Rare depiction of Queen Mother of the West puppet head wearing elaborate headdress with outstretched tortoise legs atop a phoenix, reflecting early shamanism rites of turtle shell divination. Mounted on acrylic base.
Magnificent fine provincial Tantric Buddhist statue, probably Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha. Carved in the round with delicate incised leaves and leaf motifs The high pointed crown has the Five Tantric Dhyani Buddhas, rare in Chineses provincial Buddhist statues.
Rare provincial carving of Guanyin in lalitsana clasping a rosary on a mythical Hǒu that symbolizes righteousness, morality and ushers in peace and prosperity. Small yet powerful, consecrated and mounted on Acrylic base.
Delicate white robed Guanyin in meditation on radiating lotus throne. Provincial humble, modest, relatable, yet beautiful matronly figure.
Rare and beautiful provincial Songzi Guanyin is modest, compassionate and humble with lotus leaf crown, unadorned robe and pedestal with simple leaves. Her baby resembles the infant Buddha. Was probably in a temple setting or on a home altar of wealthy couple desiring a (male) baby.
White Clad Guanyin sits in royal ease her hands in karana mudra on her lap to expel evil, remove problems and rid sickness or other negativities. This powerful mudra is rarely used for Guanyin images. The cavity Consecrated for home altar use.
Consecrated red lacquer and gilt home altar provincial Guanyin, elaborate 5-lobed crown centered with radiating bars symbolizing Amitabha Buddha and his aureole that represent the flames of Buddhism.
Rare provincial image of Guanyin tenderly holding a young child’s hand is a rare representation of Songzi “Child-Giving Guanyin”. Consecrated with vibrant gilt and red surface in front and back.
Rare provincial consecrated carving of Nanhai Guanyin on a lotus, representing purity of the mind, above a fish symbolizing her power to help beings sail through sea of suffering separating mortal world from the Western Paradise. Consecrated by a monk for placement on a home altar. Mounted on a lucite stand.
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.
Rare provincial home altar consecrated Guanyin sits in meditation on lotus throne wearing five-lobed crown symbolically representing the 5 Dyhani Buddhas in the Vajrayana Tantric tradition. Rare sealed consecration cavity, it is mounted on a lucite base.
This remarkable figurine is Guanyin on her mythical mount, the Hǒu, guardian master of the universe and model for righteousness and morality who symbolizes bringing forth peace and prosperity.The round orb in its mouth representing a pearl can be rubbed for good luck. It is one of our most unique and favorite Buddhist statues, mounted on a frosted Acrylic stand.
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