Is the gender of Jade Guanyin a mystery? You can tell whether it is a boy or a girl at a glance!

The same is true of the Jade Guanyin statue. Whether it is the facial features or the clothing, the female image is very consistent with the classical aesthetic. However, some people say that Guanyin was originally a male . What is going on?

Male Guanyin

The Avatamsaka Sutra says: "Avalokitesvara, the brave and mighty man." It can be seen that according to the popular interpretation of "brave" and "man", Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva himself was indeed originally a male.

▲ Dunhuang murals: Water Moon Guanyin

Therefore, when Buddhism was introduced from India to the Central Plains via the Western Regions, Guanyin had a beard . For example, in the Dunhuang murals or ancient gilded Buddha statues, statues of Guanyin Bodhisattva with two small mustaches on their lips are often seen.

▲ Male Guanyin statue

The beard is a more obvious feature of the male image of Guanyin. It is curly in shape, called a mustache. At the same time, he wears a headband with his hair loose, and has a regular appearance. This is very different from the female image of Guanyin , who has her hair tied up in a bun, wears a crown on her head, and has a graceful figure.

Female Avalokitesvara

The female form of Guanyin appeared during the Sui and Tang dynasties, which was related to the political factors during the reign of Wu Zetian. In the Treasure Rain Sutra, the Buddha told the Eastern Moonlight Emperor that you are in China "in fact a bodhisattva, so you appear in a female form, and are the master of freedom."

▲ Tang Dynasty: Two Guanyin Bodhisattvas

Descriptions of Guanyin's feminine characteristics can be found everywhere in Tang Dynasty literary works. Among them, even the male Guanyin has feminine characteristics in his hairstyle and clothing.

▲ Song Dynasty Guanyin statue

During the Song and Yuan dynasties, when market life was more important, the image of Guanyin mostly appeared in a simple and realistic manner , with a bit more of the flavor of market life. Although she still has a beard, the statue of Guanyin looks friendly, simple and natural, just like a girl next door.

Picture｜Qing Guanyin statue

After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, influenced by Tibetan Buddhism , Guanyin became more feminine and was endowed with many divine powers, so there were 33 subsequent forms of Guanyin Bodhisattva. The male Guanyin is an alternative work and is relatively rare.

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