Kwan Yin

Kwan Yin

Kwan Yin by Ilene Satala

Her name is Kwan Yin. Kwan literally means ‘Earth’ and Yin means “Energy.’ So her name means that she is the Energy of the Earth. She is in a female form and is known to everyone throughout Asia as a living and active spiritual deity accessible to all who call upon her. 

I used the color blue in this painting to depict serenity and calm. The color blue in ancient traditions is also representative of creativity, and is symbolic of speaking and creating words of wisdom. Blue then adds to the effect of serenity that can fill us with peace as we gaze upon her image.

I depicted Kwan Yin with butterfly wings so she can travel to wherever she needs to go to reach us in seconds, bringing with her the transformative power of her mercy and compassion. 

The hands are in the position known as a mudra. This mudra is saying: Teach only Love. The gesture is sending compassion into the world and into us. She holds a flame on her fingertips to ignite compassion in our heart with her touch. 

Kwan Yin is our emissary on Earth to bring us kindness, mercy and compassion. She shows us that we can live in the energy of her wisdom. We only have to look at her image and her power of grace is awakened with us.