I got a halo 'round me...
February 27, 2011 11:16 AM Subscribe
A quick one for a friend: which goddess is this?
My friend just picked up this picture and is trying to figure out who's in it. I think it's Indian and/or Hindu, but honestly have no idea. Thanks, hive mind!
My friend just picked up this picture and is trying to figure out who's in it. I think it's Indian and/or Hindu, but honestly have no idea. Thanks, hive mind!
Best answer: Looks like Kuan Yin, aka Kannon, Guanyin, 觀音. Not really a goddess, or even a diety, but a bodhisattva or "enlightened being with a wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings."
No idea where the print is from, but it could be from China. It looks like a stylized reproduction you might buy in a shop in the funky part of town that sells Tibetan goods and Guatemalan shirts.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:34 AM on February 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
No idea where the print is from, but it could be from China. It looks like a stylized reproduction you might buy in a shop in the funky part of town that sells Tibetan goods and Guatemalan shirts.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:34 AM on February 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I think it is Guanyin, because she sits on a lotus.
posted by Houstonian at 11:37 AM on February 27, 2011
posted by Houstonian at 11:37 AM on February 27, 2011
Response by poster: KokuRyu, I'd wager that that's exactly where my friend got it. T'ain't an antique.
On reflection, I only guessed Hindu because the halo of fire looks reminiscent of the one around Shiva/Nataraja.
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 11:40 AM on February 27, 2011
On reflection, I only guessed Hindu because the halo of fire looks reminiscent of the one around Shiva/Nataraja.
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 11:40 AM on February 27, 2011
I think it's red tara, a Buddhist goddess. Associated with attracting good things.
A close-ish image? Is it just me?
http://www.google.com/m/search?oe=UTF-8&client=safari&q=red+tara&hl=en&site=images&ei=qadqTdjZHtGotgeAyp2AAw&ved=0CBUQ7AkwAA#i=1
Sorry for the long link, am typing on a phone.
posted by crankyrogalsky at 11:42 AM on February 27, 2011
A close-ish image? Is it just me?
http://www.google.com/m/search?oe=UTF-8&client=safari&q=red+tara&hl=en&site=images&ei=qadqTdjZHtGotgeAyp2AAw&ved=0CBUQ7AkwAA#i=1
Sorry for the long link, am typing on a phone.
posted by crankyrogalsky at 11:42 AM on February 27, 2011
On reflection, I only guessed Hindu because the halo of fire looks reminiscent of the one around Shiva/Nataraja.
A lot of Buddhist iconography has its roots in Hinduism. Being a syncretic religion, Buddhism also incorporates a lot of local customs and practices, etc.
posted by KokuRyu at 12:04 PM on February 27, 2011
A lot of Buddhist iconography has its roots in Hinduism. Being a syncretic religion, Buddhism also incorporates a lot of local customs and practices, etc.
posted by KokuRyu at 12:04 PM on February 27, 2011
The figure appears to be in the royal ease posture, which does suggest a boddhisatva, along with the lotus throne. Posting a better picture would help narrow it down- there are attributes (particular mudras, items) that signpost which bodhisattva is being depicted. (For instance, what's the left hand doing?)
posted by zamboni at 12:36 PM on February 27, 2011
posted by zamboni at 12:36 PM on February 27, 2011
Response by poster: Here's a better picture in case anybody's still playing.
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 1:23 PM on February 27, 2011
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 1:23 PM on February 27, 2011
Thirding that it's probably the bodhisattva Guanyin (or Kuan Yin). Here's a very similar sculpture.
posted by devotion+doubt at 4:17 PM on March 2, 2011
posted by devotion+doubt at 4:17 PM on March 2, 2011
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posted by vidur at 11:29 AM on February 27, 2011