Niō literally means two kings and refer to the two large guardians either side of Buddhist temple gates. A holds a lightning bolt and Un wields a large sword. Iconographically the pair are thought to represent two sides of one deity name Misshaki Kongō, although there are competing views as to their original identities.
When facing temples gates, the (camera) right hand figure is known as “A” and the left figure is “Un”, which refers to the open mouthed “ah” and closed mouthed “mmm” facial expressions. The two figures, their facial expressions and by extension their names represent inhalation and exhalation, yin and yang, eternal balance, the beginning and end of all things.
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