The Happy Squirrel
Just bought this deck purely for the artwork. WOW.
At first glance this looks far more Tibetan or Mongolian than something I'd associate with Kuan Yin who is most commonly (though not always) depicted on a dragon (or fierce creature) and surrounded by water. The images here while lovely are more those I'd associate with the dakinis or sky dancers.
There are too many yaks in this deck for me. Good if you like yaks, though.
Anyone have this deck yet? I preordered on Amazon but it already says "temporarily out of stock".
Yep. My initial reaction was "Kuan Yin?"
Kuan Yin is often described as the female counterpart to one of the principal Tibetan deities, Avalokiteshvara also known as Chenreizig. As such she's got an association with Tara who was born from a tear that sprang from Chenrezig's eye. Tara could be seen as the Tibetan counterpart to Mary in many ways, an embodiment of the divine Mother. Perhaps the creator felt Kuan Yin was more familiar to western ears than Chenreizig hence the title of the deck?
I took another look at this deck and, title aside, I feel a wonderful sense of life energy and joy in it. The preponderance of yaks might have to do with the fact that before the Snow Lion became the national symbol of Tibet it used to be the Yak. On prayer flags today the Four Dignities appear in the cardinal directions, wind horse, garuda, tiger and snow lion. The Yak has been instrumental in survival for the Tibetans providing milk, butter, cheese, clothing, jewelry, transport and the relationship is an ancient one. From a symbolic standpoint the yak is the body, loyally and patiently bearing the soul throughout the world, carrying the burdens we place upon it and from that standpoint I love the presence of the yaks in this deck. If I were to buy it I might re-name it for my own purposes but it sounds like it's hard to come by.
Given the nature of the pre existing paintings used and the closer Tara association that can be made through the Tibetan imagery I still regret that they didn't choose title more in line with those like 'Oracle of the Sky Dancer'.
What a wonderful description about the Yak madrigal!! You could almost create your own deck with such beautiful writing about the yak!!
Thanks, HS. If I buy this deck I'll be renaming it the Skydancer Oracle, that is just perfect