Temple Guardians

Description

The niô, guardians of sacred sites in Japan, come from a long line of temple guardians.

Their origins go back to Heracles in Greek mythology and pass through India and Buddhism, along the Silk Road in Asia. These two legendary characters, symbols of good and evil, can be found on this luxury Caran d'Ache pen.

The figure of the guardian, from Heracles to the niô

The temple is a sacred place where priests and priestesses are in direct contact with the deities.
Since ancient times, in Greece and Egypt, temple guardians have protected these sanctuaries from the attacks of the people, made up of mere mortals.

The guardians are strong. Their representative is none other than the demigod Heracles, whose figure will follow the Silk Road over the centuries and influence the religion of Asia, Buddhism. In India, the guardians of the door to Buddhist temples are the Vajradhara, or vajra bearers, a white weapon symbolising destructive lightning, represented by the stick or the pike. In Japan, these superhuman guardians of Buddha are called niô.

Niô on a Caran d'Ache silver pen

The niô, double characters of legend, represent good and evil. One opens his mouth, showing his teeth and expressing a furious "A". It is the destructive force. The other has his mouth closed and utters the "UM". This is the wise force. They are the "Alpha and Omega" of Christians, the beginning and the end of everything.