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Guanyin, Bodhisattva of Compassion is a Mahayana Buddhist deity and one of the three Great Chinese Goddesses in China. She sits meditation (dhyana mudra) hands in the lap and feet crossed in padmasana, also called the lotus position, with bare soles of the feet turned upward on a lotus throne atop a two-tiered footed stand….
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…
During the Ming and early Qing dynasties small wood statues of Guanyin were carved by provincial artisans to be placed on a home altar along with other Taoist, Popular Religion and Buddhist statues venerated by rural and less affluent families, especially female devotees. Made of wood, they were modest and reflected the purity of nature….
Nanhai Guanyin of the South Seas images were especially popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties in both the imperially sanctioned and provincial rural traditions; this image reflects both traditions. Carved by a provincial artisan, she is a serene and majestic mature woman with a radiantly warm smile, rounded face and half-closed almond shaped eyes. …
This standing Guanyin reflects the Mahayana Buddhism Pure Land tradition popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties which holds the belief that Guanyin guides devotees upon their death to Amitabha Buddha’s Western Paradise where they may be reborn until ready for enlightenment. This carving is a provincial folk art representation that was placed on home…
Burmese carvings are known for fine craftsmanship, masterful decoration, and functional items including carved heddle pulleys used in strip-weaving. Used in pairs at the top of the loom, heddle pulleys are functional and aesthetic and usually decorated with auspicious images symbolizing figures or animals protecting the weaver, assuring good quality weaving, and pleasing the gods…
Mazu is the Goddess of the Sea who protects seafaring populations and coastal populations and a tutelary deity venerated as the “Protector of the Sea.” A syncretic deity, she embraced by all Chinese peoples, in written traditions of the imperial Chinese hierarchy who officially deified her and built sanctioned monuments and temples to her since…
Stoneware teapots like this were commonly used in Chinese villages as domestic wares, often accompanied by a a set of cups. This hexagonal pot is finely designed with deep crevices at the joint of each facet, a small curved spout and small round lid with fitted stopper, and a yoked rounded handle with spiral decorations…
Hand bells are used in daily puja (rituals), placed on a home altar, and rung to call the devoted to worship and ask the gods to grace their devotees with their presence. Their sound creates a spiritual atmosphere and increases the intensity of the Hindu religious experience, and bells are an important part of Hinduism…
Oil lamps (diya) are used daily by Hindus throughout India for prayer rituals (puja) performed on a home altar or in temples for devotional worship. Hindus believe that diyas are essential, as light itself is the absence of darkness and where evil forces dwell. Light and the act of lighting a lamp signify purity, virtuosity,…
After her death at age 28, Mazu was immortalized as a cult figure and worshipped as a one of the tutelary Taoist deities as “the Protector at Sea” among seafarers in coastal China and was worshipped especially by older women. In oral legends, she was the daughter of a Buddhist fisherman, revered for her filial…
As a syncretic Taoist deity, the Queen Mother of the West has a huge cult following among Taoist, Buddhist and folk religion devotees revered for her powers to control life and death and to determine the life span of all living beings. Irvin calls her one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially…
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