Guanyins

Guanyins refers to the various forms of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion in Mahayana Buddhism, who is especially revered in East Asia. The Chinese name Guanyin means “Perceiving the Sounds (or Cries) of the World” and is the local form of the Sanskrit Avalokiteshvara. While Avalokiteshvara is often depicted as male in Indian sources, in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese Buddhism the figure is commonly portrayed as female or androgynous, embodying mercy and nurturing compassion.

Iconography and forms: Guanyin appears in a wide range of depictions. The archetypal image shows a serene female figure, sometimes holding a willow branch or a vase of pure water. Other popular forms include the thousand-armed Guanyin, symbolizing the ability to aid beings in all directions, and variations that emphasize accessibility to lay practitioners. Regionally significant manifestations include Nanhai Guanyin (Guanyin of the Southern Seas) and Xiwang Guanyin (Guanyin of the Western Pure Land) in China. In Japan, the same figure is known as Kannon and has numerous forms reflecting different aspects of compassion.

Cultural role: Guanyin is among the most widely venerated bodhisattvas in East Asian Buddhism. Temples, shrines, and households honor Guanyin as a merciful protector and helper in times of distress, travel, or danger. Devotional practices often involve recitation of sutras and mantras, devotional offerings, and image veneration. Guanyin's influence extends across Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese Buddhist art, literature, and popular religion.