In East Asian Buddhism, Guanyin is typically also associated with vegetarianism.
This reflects her compassion to all sentient beings. She does not favor killing any living being.
The various stories about Guanyin illustrate her use of skillful means, or doing whatever is necessary to save others from suffering.
Guanyin also exemplifies the Mahayana principle that both males and females can become Buddhas, since Guanyin in either gender is already able to become a Buddha (which she delays in order to help others).