South China Sea Guanyin Stone Carvings

South China Sea Guanyin Stone Carvings

Guanyin Statue

Guanyin Statue

Guanyin Bodhisattva is one of the four great bodhisattvas in Chinese Buddhism. According to legend, his birthday is on the 19th day of the second lunar month, the day of enlightenment is on the 19th day of the sixth lunar month, and the day of Nirvana is on the 19th day of the ninth lunar month. It is said that the Taoist temple is Mount Putuo. The belief in Guanyin has had a profound influence in China, leading to various folk legends about Guanyin Bodhisattva, such as the widely circulated belief that Guanyin is Princess Miaoshan, the third princess of King Miaozhuang of Xinglin Kingdom. This kind of female Guanyin legend can first be seen in Zhu Ben's "Qu Yu Jiuwen" during the Song Dynasty. Afterwards, Guan Daosheng's biography "Biography of Guanyin Bodhisattva" became a complete biography during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties.
Purple Bamboo Guanyin in Anyue Grottoes

Purple Bamboo Guanyin in Anyue Grottoes

The Purple Bamboo Guanyin in the Anyue Grottoes is known as the "Oriental Venus" and is an outstanding representative of Buddhist art during the Northern Song Dynasty. Carved in Pilu Cave on Tazi Mountain in Shiyang Town, Anyue County, Sichuan Province. Wearing exquisite gold-plated flower crowns and a thin robe, the posture is elegant. Sitting on a lotus leaf with a sideways stance, the right foot is lightly raised and the left foot lightly steps on the lotus flower, showcasing an extraordinary and humanistic beauty full of warmth. Exquisite carving skills, smooth lines, and exquisite detail processing, especially the technique of hollow carving, make the statue both three-dimensional and delicate. Not only is it a symbol of religious belief, but it is also a crystallization of the wisdom and artistic creativity of ancient craftsmen.
Chinese Song Dynasty Wooden Carving of Water Moon Guanyin Statue

Chinese Song Dynasty Wooden Carving of Water Moon Guanyin Statue

Shuiyue Guanyin, also known as the "Bent Leg Guanyin", is a non-traditional expression of Guanyin Bodhisattva. This image of Guanyin Bodhisattva involves lifting one foot and sitting cross legged, presenting a more casual and relaxed posture. Unlike the traditional solemn and dignified image of Guanyin, the crossed legged Water Moon Guanyin conveys a more intimate and unrestrained atmosphere, reflecting the infinite compassion and tolerance of Guanyin Bodhisattva towards sentient beings in Buddhism. This form of manifestation of Guanyin Bodhisattva is usually depicted as sitting or floating on the surface of water, often accompanied by bright moonlight in the background, symbolizing wisdom and purity.
The Guanyin Bodhisattva stone carving gifted by the Qingtian County Government in Zhejiang Province

The Guanyin Bodhisattva stone carving gifted by the Qingtian County Government in Zhejiang Province

Minneapolis Art Museum Plaster Statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva of the Northern Song Dynasty

Minneapolis Art Museum Plaster Statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva of the Northern Song Dynasty

3D model of Guanyin Buddha in pure gold

3D model of Guanyin Buddha in pure gold