The Sacred Bower
Kwan Yin
| A Goddess of mercy and compassion, Kwan Yin attained nirvana which would have removed her from the cycle of rebirth for a while. She had one foot in heaven when she heard the cries of the earthbound. She chose not to enter heaven but to re-enter the cycle of rebirth that she might help the suffering. Kwan Yin may appear as male, female, androgynous, or even with a thousand arms (to better encircle her charges). It is my humble opinion that Mother Theresa may very well have been Kwan Yin reincarnate. |  |
| ORIGIN: Asia, though most religions contain a similar figure AFFILIATION: Buddhism OTHER NAMES: She Who Hears the Cries of the World, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Avaloketishwara, Avalokisvara, Guanyin, Quan Yin, Kuan Yin |
for the lovely Kwan Yin graphic.
The Green Man
| A lusty forest spirit with leaves for hair, the Green Man is a force of Nature and the male counterpart to the female Earth. Even more accurately, he IS the forest. He is responsible for greening the earth in Spring. This deity represents rebirth, renewal, and the continuity of life. Some scholars evince that he is the Green Knight in the Arthurian tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Having reread Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" recently I'm inclined to believe that Tom Bombadil also represents The Green Man. |
| ORIGIN: Europe, but his archetype is found worldwide AFFILIATION: Paganism OTHER NAMES: The Jack in the Green, Green George, The Face in the Leaves, The May King |
Ganesh
| The Destroyer of all Obstacles, Ganesh is also the Lord of Wisdom, Humor, and Good Fortune. Son of Shiva and Parvati, the four-armed Ganesh is strong, wise, kind, generous, and loving. He travels on the back of a rat (foreground) that some say is a subdued demon and others say symbolizes his gentle humility. |  |
| ORIGIN: India AFFILIATION: Hinduism OTHER NAMES: Ganesha, Genesha, Ganapati |
for the beautiful Ganesh image.
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