G is for Guan Yin (Fantastic Female)

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”

About Luoyang River in China:

The Luoyang River is in the Quanzhou, Fujian province, China and flows southernly. While many bridges can be found in China, a stone bridge of the Quanzhou Bay is considered one of the four ancient bridges of China. Fish and oysters are sought after in the estuary…perhaps where the River Dragon King liked to create big waves as featured in the story below.

50-word-or-less summary

River Dragon King dunked people from boats on Luoyang River. Goddess of Compassion asked  Dragon to stop. No! Goddess disguised as beautiful fishmonger. Anyone who got most coins in basket could marry her. Coins that missed would go toward building bridge. All coins missed! Bridge built. Sad dragon. Happy people.

Finding the Story: 

Book – “The Fish-Basket Goddess” in Chinese Children’s Favorite Stories – here

Guan Yin (can also be Quan Yin) – Legend of Quan Yin, the goddess of mercy – here

Guan Yin, Guan Yim, Kuan Yim, Kuan Yin (many spellings) – here

Finding the “Fantastic”:

Guan Yin chose to persuade in a kind and gentle way when realizing that the River Dragon King purposely created big waves to dunk people from their boats into the water. When that way did not work, she chose to use her intelligence. As Guan Yin was a Goddess, it would have been easy for her to simply fight the dragon. Yet, she was looking for a way to help the people and not harm the dragon.

When disguising as the beautiful fishmonger, she created a fundraiser for a bridge. Of course, the incentive was to marry her…but those coins did not make it in the basket despite the large size of that basket. Her goddess powers certainly came in handy.

What a fantastic female to find the funds to have a bridge built. The River Dragon King can splash the water all he wants but people will be safe from him.

Recommended Article:

Due to Guan Yin’s approach with kindness (and intelligence), enjoy this article entitled “Kindness Isn’t Weakness (and We Need It to Survive)” written by Jess Stuart.

Thoughts?

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As for our past A to Z Challenges…

Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival

Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.