The lion is an important symbol or totem for every culture which was familiar with lions. Almost universally, the lion is seen as the embodiment of strength and power. In many cases, lion imagery is used to represent leadership or royalty.

In Ancient Egypt, lions (and lionesses) were key deities. The lion was associated with Ra (the sun) and a thriving lion cult ruled the theocracy of Heliopolis. Sekhmet, the lioness, represented the Pharaoh as a goddess of battle, retribution and war. Sekhmet’s fury illuminated even the darkest corners, destroying all opposition. Another important lion-sun god was Aker, the double lion god. Aker was represented by two lions facing in opposite directions and was the guardian of sunrise and sunset. The Egyptians also adopted the lion gods of the people they conquered. From the Nubians, they assimilated Apedemak, a lion-headed battle god.

Throughout the Middle East, lions often appeared on either sides of doorways and arches as guardian figure. In Babylon, the lions were symbolic protectors of their cities as well as symbols of royalty.

One of the 12 tribes of Israel used a lion as its emblem. The Lion of Judah is also associated with Christ, which is possibly why C.S. Lewis made his Christ figure, Aslan, a huge lion. Aslan of The Narnian Chronicles is a savior to Narnia, but also a ferocious warrior. Other Biblical warriors who are associated with lions are Samson (who slew a lion and posed a riddle) and Daniel (who survived a den of the big cats).

The flag of Ethiopia depicts a lion and their great King, Haile Selassie was known as the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Selassie’s battles were rescuing his nation from the remnants of colonial rule and Italian occupation. He brought Ethiopia worldwide recognition through his diplomatic efforts and brought them into the modern age. The Rastafari venerate Selassie’s memory and use the Lion of Judah as a symbol of ethnic pride and masculine dominance.

Other flags that use the lion as a symbol are the flags of Scotland, Swaziland, Sri Lanka, Singapore (alternate flag), and Iran’s ancient Shir-O-Khorshid. The Iranian flag, bearing an ancient icon of a lion with the sun behind it, was replaced after the 1979 revolution.

The greatest lion-warrior of pre-Islamic Arabia was Antarah ibn-Shaddadal Absi, also known as Antara the lion. Although often compared to Britain’s King Arthur, Antara was a much better documented historical figure. Antara is often referred to as the 'Father of Heroes' and was renowned for his valor, knightly virtues of chivalry, poetry, and for his passionate relationship with his Queen. As a symbol of strength and virility, Ankara was Arabia’s national hero.

Alexander the Great, partly because of his identification with the ancient Persian kings, was particularly keen on lion hunting. In the Middle East, lion hunting was a royal prerogative. Alexander took his closest companions on lion hunts, but was also cruel and once locked one of his companions in a cage with a lion. The companion survived the encounter by ripping the lion’s tongue out! Alexander’s other identification with lions came from his heroic mentor, Hercules. Macedonian coins from 320 BCE depict Alexander wearing a lion skin in emulation of Herakles wearing the Nemean lion.

Hercules is usually depicted in Greek art dressed in a lion skin. One of his labors was to kill the rampaging Nemean lion. The lion’s skin was so hard that no weapon could pierce it. Hercules, not wasting any time, wrestled with the lion and strangled it using his enormous strength. He used the lion's own razor sharp talons to skin the beast. Aside from the obvious (he was strong enough to kill it!), the lion skin may also have represented that he was of the most royal blood: the son of Zeus. To commemorate this feat, Zeus placed the lion in the heavens as the constellation Leo.

The warrior aspects of the lion appear in Indo-Tibetan martial arts. The first incarnation of the Buddha is Shakyamuni, the Lion of Shakyas. When Shakyamuni was born, he stood upright and roared like a lion. The lion-man Buddha is depicted in Tibetan art as a fierce warrior (possibly because lions are also identified with Kali) and lions are used to represent the warrior lineage of families. 'The Lion’s Roar' is an energetic and powerful form in Tibetan Kung Fu as well as the awakening Doctrine of the Buddha. Lions often appear in Buddhist temples as protectors or guardians. Although lions are not native to China, they appear in Chinese artwork as temple guardians.

In Africa, the Maasai have an intimate relationship with the lion. Their homeland was once greatly populated with lions and the Maasai were prey as often as they were hunters. Traditionally, single warriors armed with only a spear and shield would ritually hunt male lions as part of their manhood ceremony. Later on, the Elders urged group hunts because of the embattled lion population. The most important prizes from the lion hunt were the mane, claws, and tail. The tail, surprisingly enough, was the most coveted prize. The warriors would wrestle for the tail, since only the most powerful warrior could possess it. Both tail and mane would be beaded by the women and then presented to the warrior. Other villages instantly recognize a warrior wearing a beaded lion mane as being strong and brave.

In modern times, the lion is still associated with royalty. Despite the fact that the UK’s last native lion was probably the cave lion, lions are reoccurring themes in heraldry. As for the cave lion, some cryptozoologists speculate that the mysterious phantom big cats of the UK may be a surviving species of cave lion. At any rate, the last lion reported in Britain running wild was in the Middle Ages.

One of the most famous British Kings, Richard the Lion-Hearted, flew a standard bearing three lions. A contemporary of Richard, William I of Scotland, flew the famous Rampant Lion standard later used by Robert the Bruce. The Rampant Lion is the secondary flag of Scotland but may be the more popular.

Modern day heroes such as Charles Atlas (R) look to the lion as asymbol of strength. Atlas developed his Dynamic Tension method of bodybuilding by observing lions in the zoo.

Today our children have several lion heroes including Kimba the White Lion, Simba of The Lion King, and Lion-O of the Thundercats. The most famous barbarian of literature, Robert E. Howard’s Conan, is called Amra (the lion) at one point in his adventures. We use lion statues to flank the entrances of libraries, perhaps to guard the knowledge contained within. Leo, the MGM lion, has roared his greeting to us from the big screen for decades. Sports teams such as the Columbia Lions, the British and Irish Lions, and Detroit Lions use the glamour of the King of Beasts to enhance their masculine image and power. The Lions Clubs work heroically to help those in need throughout the world. Even today we associate lions with leadership, aristocracy, strength, power, guardianship, familial ties, and excellence.

Article by Athena Victory

Originally Published in Sabertooth's Pride

Larger Than Life Living in the World Today

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