I did a lot of research on different animals and their symbolism as part of my AS Level Art project last year entitled 'People and Animals' and I thought it would be fun to share some of the stuff I learned. Here is Part 8: Lions. Scroll to the end to get the links to the other parts!
Lions
- In Mesopotamia, the lion was a symbol of kingship
- The lion is a symbol of knightly virtue in Arthurian legend
- The Ancient Egyptian sphinx had the body of a lioness - was the protector of pharohs
- Hercules, who killed the Nemean Lion, wore its pelt as a magic cloak
- Aesop used the lion as a symbol of power and strength
- The Egyptian goddess Sekhmet was presented as a lioness
- The Nubian god Dedun, god of incense, and therefore of luxury and wealth, was depicted as a lion
- In Middle Eastern culture, the lion is a symbol of courage, bravery, royalty and chivalry
Lion Gallery
