Qing Imperial Palace: Tapestry and Embroidery of Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara

CHINA, Beijing; Qing dynasty

Avalokitesvara wears a five-leaf crown and has a tall jeweled usnisa. Ribbons hang down from either side and turn upward before reaching the shoulders. The Bodhisattva has three eyes and a round face, and the upper body is draped in a transparent stole and decorated with necklaces. The lower body is covered in a heavy dhoti with a decorative belt and ornaments. The figure stands barefoot on a lotus pedestal surrounded by clouds.
The thousand arms of Avalokitesvara are represented by forty-two arms in various positions: joining palms or holding various Dharma instruments. Two arms extend upward and hold a lotus throne with a seated Buddha forming the dhyana (meditation) mudra. The Buddha wears a red robe that covers both shoulders and there is a swastika on the chest. Avalokitesvara has a white nimbus and a mandorla set against a yellow ovoid background, contrasting with the deep blue background. Above, there is a canopy with a flaming jewel in the center.