Chinese altar (illuminated, size: 40X47 cm, height 65 cm) with a Kuan-Yin statue, the Chinese representation of the 1000 armed bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (in silver plated brass, height: 31 cm) Kuan-Yin manifests itself in all conceivable forms, everywhere a living being requires help, above all when someone is threatened by water, demons, fire and sword. Kuan-Yin usually holds a lotus blossom (purity) in it’s hand and a vessel with the “heavenly dew” of immortality.  Originally, Kuan-Yin was masculine, however, since the 10th century the holy statues were represented as hermaphroditic, since Chinese Buddhism became ever more steeped in elements of Tantric teachings. Factors of enlightenment, compassion wisdom, are symbolized through feminine and masculine aspects.  In this way the appearance/phenotype of Kuan-Yin has arisen today: a masculine body with a female face and clothes!