Quan Yin

Quan Yin is a bodhisattva, one who is qualified to enter nirvana, but chooses to remain on earth to bring all to enlightenment.

"Quan Yin" is usually translated as "one who hears the cries of the world." She is also known as the Goddess of Compassion.

The five major virtues of Quan Yin are said to be mercy, modesty, courage, justice and wisdom. She is closely associated with the earth, fertility and birth. Quan Yin guards the souls of the newborn; from her hands flows the heavenly dew, the beneficient stream of living water.