[CondorFlight]

While I am a protestant, I will note that some authorities suspect that the Chinese goddess is actually an accretion from early Christianity; and so, in this example, not the reverse.

[ifinnegan]

“While I am a protestant, I will note that some authorities suspect that the Chinese goddess is actually an accretion from early Christianity; and so, in this example, not the reverse.”

Interesting.

I would think it predates Christianity. I don’t know the Hindu analog of Guan Yin and I’d assume that one predates Christ.

[ifinnegan]

“While I am a protestant, I will note that some authorities suspect that the Chinese goddess is actually an accretion from early Christianity; and so, in this example, not the reverse.”

This is my second response to this.

I see what you are saying. It is possible Guan Yin iconography was influenced by Mary iconography.

[RoosterRedux]

While I am a protestant, I will note that some authorities suspect that the Chinese goddess is actually an accretion from early Christianity; and so, in this example, not the reverse.

We know that goddess worship existed in many cultures in the ancient world (much prior to Christianity). From Semiramis to Astarte to Diana to Athena to Isis to Virgo to Virgo Durga to Ishtar (Easter).