Vietnam White Marble Kuan Yin on a Lotus over Ocean Waves, 48in

Kuan Yin of the South Sea

This is Kuan Yin as she is most often pictured in coastal temples and seaside gardens: Nanhai Guanyin, the Kuan Yin of the South Sea. She stands upright on a wide open lotus, and the lotus rises out of rolling ocean waves carved into the base, so the whole figure seems to float above the water she is said to watch over. At 48 inches she is a true standing statue, tall enough to hold her own on a terrace, at the end of a garden path or in a temple courtyard.

How she is shown

Kuan Yin, or Guanyin, is the bodhisattva of compassion, the East Asian form of Avalokiteshvara, the one who hears the cries of the world. Here she wears the details Chinese carvers have given her for centuries. A hooded veil falls from the crown over her shoulders, over long flowing robes whose hems ripple as if caught by a sea breeze. Her crown carries a small seated Amitabha Buddha at the front, the Buddha whose compassion she carries out. Her right hand is raised, palm outward, in blessing. Her left hand holds a slender vase of pure water, the vessel from which she pours the nectar of compassion. Her face is calm and gently downcast, and beads rest across her chest.

The lotus and the waves

The base is what sets this piece apart. Beneath her feet a double ring of broad lotus petals opens wide, and beneath the lotus the stone is carved into curling waves and foam. The lotus is the old image of purity growing out of troubled water; the waves tie her to Putuo Shan, the island in the South Sea that is her traditional home, and to the sailors and fishing families who have prayed to her for safe passage. Together they read clearly from across a garden, which is exactly where a figure this size tends to stand.

Carved in Vietnam white marble

The statue is carved from Vietnam white marble, a bright, fine-grained stone with a clean and slightly cool white, closer to porcelain than to the warm cream of Makrana. That cool tone suits Kuan Yin, who is so often called the White-Robed Guanyin. The figure is given a soft satin polish rather than a mirror shine, so the folds of the veil and robe catch daylight gently, while the deeper recesses of the waves keep a little shadow and stay easy to read.

Where she belongs

Standing Kuan Yin figures of this size are made for open, peaceful places: a seaside or lakeside terrace, a garden facing water, the forecourt of a temple or meditation hall, or the entrance of a resort or retreat where guests are welcomed by her raised hand. Set her on a firm, level plinth so her face sits at or a little above eye level, which lets her lowered gaze meet the people who come to her.

Size and care

The statue stands 48 inches tall including the lotus and wave base, about 18 inches wide and 16 inches deep, and weighs around 180 kg, so plan for a solid foundation and a few hands when she is placed. Each piece is made to order in Jaipur, and the height, the stone and the details of the robes and base can be adjusted on request. Outdoors, keep her clear of standing water and of sprinklers carrying hard water. Clean her with a soft cloth and plain water; avoid acidic cleaners, which dull marble.