Necklace with a very nicely made wooden pendant with a depiction of the face of Guanyin.
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.
The Guanyin pendants here in our shop have been made in natural wood. The high relief depiction on the front side has further been decorated with a few tiny (faux) coral and turquoise stones. The backside has been engraved with a mantra for universal compassion, which translates roughly as: "May all sentient beings be blessed".
The pendants itself are very nice, but the simple brown nylon cords (with flashy golden accents) on which they have been hung, doesn't do justice to them we think. We would advice to hang them on a somewhat nicer cord or necklace.
Though the depiction is similar on each one, the natural color and grain of the wood makes every pendant still slightly unique in appearance. You can choose your favorite one via the selection-menu.
Size of the pendants is approximately 60 millimeters high and 38 millimeters wide. Multiple ones available, sold per piece.
