Quan Yin
Quan Yin is the East Asian bodhisattva of compassion, the Chinese and Japanese form of Avalokiteshvara, who hears every cry in the world and delays her own liberation until all beings are free. She is usually shown in female form in East Asia, holding a vase of pure water and a willow branch.
Avalokiteshvara is male in the Indian and Tibetan traditions; the feminine Quan Yin/Guanyin is a Chinese development. The standard romanisation is Guanyin/Kuan Yin.
Correspondences
- Planetary Correspondence
- Moon
Offerings
- Offerings
- IncenseFlowersFruitWaterVegetarian food
Sacred timing
- Sacred Timing
Symbols and forms
- Alternate Names
- GuanyinKannonAvalokiteshvaraKwannon
- Gender Expression
- Feminine
- Titles
- Hearer of CriesLady of CompassionBodhisattva of Mercy
- Symbols
- LotusVase of waterWillow branchThousand arms
Practice
- Invocation Approach
- ToneGentle boundlessAddressQuan YinHearer of CriesLady of CompassionRelationshipMother who hears every cryWarningShe hears the cry you are not admittingResonanceThe suffering caregivers those who grieve
- Modern Practice
Quan Yin is called on in illness, in grief, at sea, and wherever someone is caring for a person who cannot be cured. Her practice is simple: sit, breathe, and listen. She is not asked for victory but for the strength to stay.
Nature and meaning
- Domain
- CompassionMercyHealingChildrenSeafarersProtectionSuffering
- Mythology Summary
Quan Yin is the East Asian bodhisattva of compassion, the Chinese and Japanese form of Avalokiteshvara, who hears every cry in the world and delays her own liberation until all beings are free. She is usually shown in female form in East Asia, holding a vase of pure water and a willow branch.
- Related Deities
- Buddha
Details
- Correspondences
- ColorsWhiteJade greenPinkScentsSandalwoodJasmineLotusMetalsSilverGoldAnimalsDragonCraneTurtleFish
One of 3,120 entries in the Grimoire — the whole library, every cross-reference, is free to take. Take the whole thing Is it wrong somewhere?
Referenced by 24
Every entry that names Quan Yin, grouped by the system it comes from.
☥ Deities 11
- Buddha Related Deities
- Jade Emperor Related Deities
- Xi Wangmu Related Deities
- Mazu Related Deities
- Amitabha Related Deities
- Avalokiteshvara Related Deities
- Green Tara Related Deities
- Ksitigarbha Related Deities
- Mahakala Related Deities
- Benzaiten Related Deities
- Doumu Related Deities
☯ Archetypes 2
- The Caregiver Deities
- The Healer Deities
🜔 Elements 1
- Water Goddesses
✧ Directions 1
- West Deities
⚒ Ritual tools 1
- Chalice Associated Deities
☉ Planets 1
- Moon Deities Associated
🕛 Planetary hours 1
- Hour of the Moon Deities Enhanced
🜂 Incense & resins 1
- Sandalwood (White) Deities
More in Deities
The entries either side of this one in the same catalogue.
All of Deities →New entries, when they land
Occasional notes when a section of the grimoire is added or revised. No account, no tracking across sites, and one line to leave.