Nio-A
From FFXIclopedia, the free Final Fantasy XI encyclopedia
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Job: Warrior Notorious Monster |
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Zone |
Level |
Drops |
Steal |
Spawns |
Notes | ||||||
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70 |
1 |
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Notes:
- Spawned by Mission: Lightbringer
- Uses Mighty Strikes
Historical Background
In Japanese Buddhist belief, the Nio were 2 guardians of the Buddha. They are usually depicted as terrifying, muscular statues standing beside the entrance of Buddhist temples. One was named Agyo or Shukongoshin, who embodies manifest power or strength. He is depicted wielding a rod and is showing his teeth. The other was named Ungyo or Kongorikishi, who embodies latent power or strength. He is shown wielding a sword (or having no weapon) and has his mouth shut. Their names and mouths have symbolism: Agyo implies "ah", meaning "birth" and Ungyo implies "un"/"um", meaning "death". Their scary appearance was meant to ward off evil spirits, thieves, and demons. Their role is security, to protect the faith and the visitors to the temples (practitioners of the faith), and thus lack the calm, serene expressions of figures seeking enlightenment. Nio is Japanese for "two kings".
It is not clear what the A and Hum parts of their name indicate. Nio-A may be a rough translation of Nio-Ah, linking with Agyo, while Nio-Hum may be a rough translayion of Nio-Om, linking with Ungyo.

