Nio

• nio

From Japanese 仁王 (Niō), from Chinese 仁王 (Rénwáng, “Benevolent or Humane King[s]”).

• (General American) IPA^(key): /niːoʊ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /niːəʊ/

Nio

1. (Buddhism, especially Japanese contexts) A pair of door gods at the main gates of Buddhist temples.
   • 2014, John H. Martin & al., Kyoto: 29 Walks in Japan's Ancient Capital, p. 43:

     Two Deva Kings (Nio) stand guard, as do two koma-inu (Korean lion-dogs), to protect the temple from the entry of evil forces... The 12 foot (3.6 m) tall Nio on the right has his mouth open to pronounce the Sanskrit "A" while the one on the left has his lips closed so as to pronounce the "Om" sound, these two sounds being the alpha and omega of Buddhist lore, symbolizing the all inclusiveness of Buddhist teachings.

   • 2018, Joan D. Stamm, A Pilgrimage in Japan, p. 114:

     The guardian at the right, with mouth open, represents birth; the guardian on the left, with mouth closed, represents death. The space between them represents the Absolute, or all that is contained between birth and death. At Iwamadera, the Nio, a distinctive ebony and shiny as lacquer, enhanced their ferocious, don't-mess-with-me muscular stance.

• Vajrapani; Renwang (Chinese contexts)

Nio

1. a male given name, equivalent to English Leo