The beneficent, compassionate and gracious Quan Yin is to the Chinese the "Hearer of Prayers".
The golden vase she sometimes holds represents her healing power.
The willow branch represents the spiritual power of the feminine.
The depiction of Quan Yin with children represents her ability to grant offspring.
She is known by similar names in Japan and SE Asia.
Like Mary in the West, she is the most approachable being in an otherwise male-dominated religion.