A padmapitha is a Buddhist and Hindu pedestal, throne or altar, upon which the image of a deity sits. The seat is in the form of a single or double lotus each with sixteen petals, an auspicious number. It symbolizes the mother’s lap, the origin of all life. It is one of the more frequently used Buddhist thrones, especially for calm or peaceful deities such as Guanyin. It also has auspicious references, depending different lotus parts, that symbolize fertility, the birth of sons, longevity, high rank, wealth, honor and peace.
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Carved wood Guanyin images were enormously popular in China’s provincial regions created by local artisans who did not follow proscribed court artistic rules or iconography and integrated elements from Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Folk Religion traditions into a syncretic blend as one of the Great Chinese Goddesses (Irwin). She sits on a raised lotus rising…
This delicate Mahayana Pure Land Buddhism Guanyin sits in meditation (dhyana mudra) representing concentration and peace hands in lap and legs crossed in lotus position (padmasana). Guanyin’s (Sanskrit Padmapani meaning “born of the lotus”) close association with the lotus is seen on her complex two-part throne. Resting on a footed base, the lotus throne is…
This charming antique Guanyin carving sits in meditation (dhyana mudra), legs in padmasana soles of her upturned feet visible, hands in lap with thumbs lightly touching. Created by provincial artisan as a folk rather than imperial carving to be placed on a personal home altar she has softer and modest facial features and is more…
Guanyin, the most beloved deity in the Mahayana Buddhism, embodies compassion and loving-kindness and hears the cries of all beings. During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Guanyin statues were commissioned by provincial artisans for a home altar that were humble and more relatable to the rural devotees as in this statue where she…
Lee Irvin calls Guanyin one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are imperially sanctioned and epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all regardless of their social position. Each has large temples, monasteries and small local shrines dedicated to them. She in the lotus position (padmasana) with…
The close association of the lotus and Guanyin (Sanskrit Padmapani meaning “born of the lotus,”) is depicted in this Guanyin image sitting on a flat, round open yellow lotus padmapitha pedestal held up by a stem flanked by red lotuses facing out in a folk art tradition. As one of the Great Chinese Goddesses (Irvin),…
This small antique carving is Nanhai Guanyin (Guanyin of the Southern Seas) who became a syncretic cult figure during the late Ming and Qing dynasties in rural provincial regions, especially Southern China. She is worshiped in Mahayana Pure Land Buddhism, Taoism and Popular Religion. The local artisan took liberties in the iconography, portrayal and attributes…
This Nanhai Guanyin sits in her cave home on the island of Putuo represented by pierced openwork, craggy surfaces and open area at the cave top. Guanyin’s image almost fills the cave’s opening seated in dhyana (meditation), thumbs forming a triangle symbolizing the triratna, the Three Gems of Buddhism (the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings)…
This Tibetan Repoussé image presents various symbols of the Enlightenment of the Shakyamuni-Buddha. He sits within a trefoil arch on a lotus base (padmapitha) under the bodhi tree in bhumisparsha mudra (earth witnessing or hand touching position) symbolizing the moment of his enlightenment legs bent in (padmasana). The detailed trefoil arch surrounding the Buddha’s head…
Guanyin means “she who observes the sounds or cries of the world” and in Sanskrit she is named Padmapani or “born of the lotus.” She is one of the Three Great Chinese Goddesses (Irwin). During the Late Ming and Qing Dynasties in rural provincial regions and especially Southern China, Guanyin became a syncretic cult figure…
This lovely 20th century Thai bronze statue is Guanyin, Goddess of Infinite Mercy and Compassion who hears the cries of the oppressed. She sits in meditation (dhyana mudra) hands in the lap holding her sacred vase containing amitra the sacred dew of compassion, healing and immortality that represents humanities’ tears and her the never ending…
Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion in Mahayana and Pure Land Buddhism has 33 manifestations, each who hears the cries of humanity and delivers them from suffering or desire through her compassion, wisdom and skill. Her images are always gentle, calm and sweet, reflecting her compassion, wisdom, serenity and love that calms those who are angry…
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