Small bronze Guanyin figurine

Guanyin is the Chinese version of the bodhisattva also known under the names of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, one of the most well-known and most highly regarded figures in the Buddhist group of "Eight Boddhisattva's".

In the iconography of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig he is mostly depicted as a male being, and also older depictions of Guanyin show him as such, but somewhere between the 8th and 10th century the depiction slowly shifted into her nowadays almost exclusively female version.

A bodhisattva is the name for a buddhist deity who has reached the state of bodhicita, but consciously chooses not yet to take that final step towards becoming a fully enlightened buddha. Instead choosing to stay close to the eartly realms to assist others on their paths, driven to do so out of a great sense of compassion. 

And this characteristic is exactly what Guanyin / Avalokiteshvara embodies; the ultimate, selfless and unconditional compassion of the Buddha. The name 'Guanyin' can be roughly translated as 'the one who perceives all the sounds of the world', refering to the fact that she is said to hear and listen to all the prayers and pleas of mankind, always ready to come to the assistance, bringing comfort and solace.

Next to the more general characteristics that are ascribed to all relatives in the Guanyin - Avalokiteshavara - Chenrezig family, there are also some more specific features associated with Guanyin. For example as a goddess of the sea or as 'Songzi', the 'child-giver';  an aspect in which she is prayed to for blessing families with healthy children and especially male heirs.

This small figurine shows Guanyin in one of her most iconic postures; her left hand holding a bottle that is sometimes said to contain pure water (representing her role as purifier and nurturer) and sometimes to contain amrita, the nectar of life. Her right hand is raised in vitarka mudra; the thumb and index finger touching to form a circle, representing the perfection and continuous flow of knowledge from the teachings of the Buddha.

This figurine is made of bronze. It is approximately 4 centimeters high, with a pedestal size of 17 x 21 millimeters, and weighs 25 grams. It has been recently made, but has a nice vintage feeling due to the dark color of the bronze

Only one available.