Seated Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Guanyin Pusa), One from a Pair of Bodhisattvas, Probably from an Amitabha Triad

A bodhisattva is a divine being who has vowed to achieve enlightenment in the future but remains in the world to help all sentient beings attain the same goal. Early artists depicted bodhisattvas in the guise of royalty. They wear silken dhotis — essentially, loose skirts — and scarves, along with abundant jewelry, including earrings, armlets, bracelets, and anklets. Their long hair is typically arranged in a high topknot, with individual strands sometimes falling over the shoulders; a crown often encircles the topknot.