Lion African Picture Jasper

LION

Lion is the symbol for strength, courage, and assertiveness. It has strong intuition and is a relentless fighter. It is aggressive and relentless. It is a universal symbol of leadership and royalty. It brings devotion and kindness to those who are kind to it or show it mercy in some way.

Lion is a nocturnal keystone or apex predator. It lives in the wild in Africa today, but in ancient times was also seen from Greece to northern India. The American Mountain Lion is related to the African Lion. The Lion usually inhabits grasslands and savannahs. It exists in groups called prides with a few males and a larger number of females. The female lionesses hunt in groups. Lion has been a subject of literature, art, and culture in general throughout history and pre-history. Depictions of Lion can be seen on the walls in the Lascaux and Chauvet caves in France. These depictions are around 32,000 years old. Depictions of Lion go back 3500 years in Egypt. Ancient Egyptians worshipped Lion in the form of the goddess Sekhmet. The Nubian gods of war and luxury were symbolized by Lion. The Egyptians included Lion in much of their architecture as a protection of the pharaohs and the people. The body of the magical Sphinx is the body of a Lion that protects the pharaohs in the afterlife. In the Middle East, the Lion was a symbol of the gods, goddesses, and rulers. The god Ishtar’s chariot was drawn by a Lion. The goddess Inanna was depicted standing on the heads of two Lions. In Babylon, the Lion was a symbol of the king of kings. The Bible used the Lion as a symbol of great strength. The Gnostics worshipped a lion-headed figure that devoured souls after death.  In both Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism, the Lion protects humans from ghosts and demons.  In Greece, the Lion was used as a symbol of power. Lions flank Gorgon. The great Heracles killed the Nemean Lion and made its hide into a magical cloak. Aesop used the Lion in his fables. The North American Mountain Lion symbolizes leadership, cunning, nobility, and courage in many Native American tribes. The Hopis consider it a sacred guardian of the tribe. The Navajos also consider it a great protector.

The Lion totem will always face a challenge without fear. It brings strength and vitality.  It has great endurance. It is adept at dealing with uncooperative people. It has the courage to make necessary changes and to do whatever is necessary to protect the pride. It brings dominance and great leadership ability. It can be angry or aggressive when its family and friends are threatened.

A Lion dream or vision may be a warning of a threat. Being chased by a Lion in a dream is a warning of a struggle to come. Being bitten by a Lion may be a sign that you are feeling overwhelmed.