Figure of Kuan Yin, Queen of Heaven

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According to Chinese Buddhism, Kuan Yin (Kwan Yin, Guan Yin) is the Goddess of Mercy and Queen of Heaven, who leads devout Buddhists after death to the Western Paradise to join Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. This figure represents Kuan Yin.

This painted and originally gilt wooden figure shows Quan Yin dressed in a long robe, wearing a crown in the Tibetan style, and standing on a lotus flower. Her left arm is incomplete and she may have been shown holding a container of ambrosia.

Buddhists believe in repeated reincarnation after death. The idea that one could escape from this and go to the 'Western Paradise' with the aid of Kuan Yin became popular in China from the Tang period (AD 618-906). She was originally depicted as a male.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-794-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1926.165
• Date: Probably 15th century
  
• Material: Carved wood
  Figure / goddess / Kuan Yin
  
• Dimensions: 27.00" H
  
• What: Figure / goddess / Kuan Yin
  
• Subject: Figures / wood, carved
  
• Who: Kuan Yin
  
• Where: China
  
• Event:
• Description: Statuette in carved wood of Kuan Yin, goddess of mercy and queen of heaven, wearing robes and a crown and standing on a lotus design base, and originally painted and gilt: China, probably 15th century
  
• References:
  • Sheridan, J A (ed). Heaven and Hell and Other Worlds of the Dead. Edinburgh: National Museum of Scotland, 2000. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: