Goddess of Compassion

Did you ever wish there was someone listening to you? That is me, the Goddess of Compassion.

In Sanskrit, my name Avalokiteshvara means "The one who looks down".

The Chinese name Kuan Yin and Japanese Kannon or Kanzeon means "Observing the cries of the world"

I am a Boddhisattva, one who attained a high level of sprirituality but made a vow to help others.I will not go on to Nirvana without helping all others attain enlightenment.

So why in some art am I a man and in some art am I a woman?
I started off as a male.By the time the Jesuits arrived in China, I was widely worshipped there.Do you know what Marketing is? That's when you try to find out what people want so you can sell them something.The Jesuits wanted everyone to like the Virgin Mary. The Chinese responded by making a female version of Kuan Yin.Buddhism is very accepting that way. So now I'm a female.

You can find statues of me with 1,000 arms. Well, sometimes there are only a few hundred symbolic arms.The picture above from Toshodaiji has more than 900 arms. And I am holding the following charms: lotus, sword, wheel of karma, bell, rosary, jewel, mirror, axe, vajra, trident, lasso, bow, arrow, and other things I can use to help people.

In Tibet I am called Chenrezig. Tradition there has evolved. I have severl forms, such as the "horse head" form. I am the protector of animals (and humans reborn as animals). I look mad because I attack ignorance and evil passion.

Goddess of beauty

Do you know why I am so beautiful? Because I'm eclectic.

I keep getting more beautiful as time goes by. Why? Because I'm never out of fashion. In fact, I am fashion.

In the Hindu tradition, I am called Lakshmi. I am beauty, grace, charm and good luck. I am wife of Vishnu. Not bad! Because I am multifaceted and organic, I am also compared to a lotus flower.

In Buddhism, I was renamed Kichijoten and borrowed, along with my full wardrobe. This gave me a chance to try on new clothes. In the painting above from the 700s, I am wearing the same gown as a Chinese Empress. I am one of the 7 gods of fortune.

In Tokyo, Japan there is a neighborhood called Kichijoji. You can go to my temple, and then you can go shopping all day. So much beauty, so little time!

Yemaya, the mother

I am Yemaya, a goddess of West Africa.
I protect children. If you’re pregnant, you should talk to me. I am ready to help all women.
I am the mother of 15 other gods. You might call me “the” mother.
I am the ocean, too. Fishermen love me, and offer me fish. My name means She whose children are like fish. When you pick up a conch shell on the sea shore and put it to your ear, you hear me.
My favorite colors are blue, silver and white. My favorite stone is blue chalcedony. I also like watermelon, and pearls, and shiny pennies.

I am also goddess of the New Year.

Artwork courtesy of Mia Hernandez

Goddess of honey, sexiness, dance, fertility, water, money, and more

I have two sides.
I am water. I am attraction.
My name is Oshun and I am a goddess of West Africa. My presence is also felt by people who came from Africa to Cuba, Brazil, etc.
I am seductive, a lover of many men, a giver of good things. I love myself and want to share life with others. I am all the best parts of being female. I am honey.
I am seen and felt where there is sweet, fresh water.
Women pray to me especially at waterfalls and I help barren women, pregnant women, and those dealing with infertility, miscarriages and difficult pregnancies. I know that inside every woman is a goddess.
Once, when there was a drought, I became a peacock and flew up to the sun. I talked with the powers that be and brought back the rains.
I am the goddess of money. In Cuba I am called Our Lady of the Caridad del Cobre, because of the association with copper money. My color is also yellow.
Don’t make me angry! It’s really hard to do, but I can be fierce.
I love to dance. When you dance, you are honoring me.