In China, Kuan Yin is the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion and is also the Protectress of Children.

Here she is represented as standing on a Lotus petal, on a crest of waves and Lotus blossoms. From this wave rises a Dragon, ready to drink from her vase which holds the nectar of her compassion. The Dragon symbolizes the creative strength of Heaven (Yang) and Kuan Yin represents the earth (Yin). When Kuan Yin is full of her compassion, she nurtures her opposite, the Dragon.

When shown arising from water, the lotus symbolizes the physical existence firmly established against the sea of possibility. Lotuses also represent purity and divine birth.
She holds a prayer mala in her left hand and is shown with a gem or a dot at her third eye, which is a symbol of enlightenment.