Kwan Yin means "one who hears the cries of the world". Her five major virtues are mercy, modesty, courage, justice, and wisdom. She is also known as the Goddess of Compassion. In Buddhist tradition she is a bodhisattva. This is a soul who is fully realized and no longer needs to reincarnate, but chooses to do so in order to enlighten others. It is said that when Kwan Yin was ascending into spirit, she heard the cries of suffering humans and chose to re-enter physical existence. The downcast eyes express his inward meditative character, a symbol of unexpected good fortune. Hand carved in wood with great attention to detail. Please allow slight variance for each piece.