What Does the Lion Symbolize?

What Does the Lion Symbolize?

The lion is one of the most famous top-of-mind animals, a majestic creature that fascinates and captures the imagination. From childhood years rooting for Simba in The Lion King to being a prominent figure in all sorts of designs and artwork, the lion is a constant fixture in our periphery. But why do people love this animal so much? What does the lion symbolize, and what can we learn from it?

Read on to learn ideas that the lion can represent.

The Meaning Behind the Lion

1. Nobility

Even though its natural habitats are grasslands, savannas, and plains, the lion is popularly referred to as “the king of the jungle,” a notion propagated in pop culture by famous tales.  The lion is a common figure in heraldry, particularly in crests and coat of arms to represent esteemed positions, further enforcing its association to nobility.

For example, the shield in the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom contains four lions in total — three lions of England in the first and fourth quadrants, and the lion of Scotland in the second quadrant. The shield is also supported on the left by the English lion (across the Scottish unicorn on the right).

You don’t have to be blue-blooded to embody a sense of nobility. Let the lion inspire you to conduct yourself with grace and composure befitting royalty. For days when you need a little push to hold your chin high, don an elegant silver lion pendant. This can be added as a charm to a bracelet or slipped onto a slim chain necklace to help you embrace your nobleness.

2. Family

Lions are the only felines that cohabitate in a group or family unit called a “pride.” It can consist of a mere two lions up to 40 lions. A large pride is typically comprised of three to four male lions, approximately a dozen females, and the cubs. The young lions are usually raised together by the female lions until they are two to three years old.

Whether it’s biological or found family, let the lion serve as a token of those you hold most dear. Wear a lion emblem regularly to remind yourself of whom you want to protect and who you work hard for so that you can stay motivated through challenging situations.

lioness and cubs

3. Courage and Strength

Lions are the second-largest cat in the world. True to lions’ roles as hunters and defenders, they can run up to 50 miles per hour in short intervals, leap up to 36 feet high, and have vision that’s approximately six times more sensitive to light than humans.

Symbolically, the lion can represent a valiant warrior and good soldier. Indeed, “lionheart” is a term commonly used to refer to someone brave, such as King Richard the Lionheart and the 1990 film starring Van Damme.

Modern-day life may not require the type of bravery that lions need in the wild, but even everyday acts of courage make a difference. It’s not always easy to feel strong and brave, so sometimes, you have to fake it ‘til you make it. A curated outfit can go a long way in giving your self-confidence a boost. Leave a strong impression by pairing a power suit with a lion bracelet to show that you are an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.

4. Equality

Male and female lions have different but equally important roles in the pride. Male lions are the protectors. They mark their pride’s territory, scare off potential intruders, and defend their area from animals who enter their turf.

On the other hand, female lions are the leaders and hunters. They are typically smaller and more agile than male lions, so they work together to capture prey. The food is then divided and shared by the group according to a pecking order.

Take your cue from lions and bring out your inner power. It’s not about dominance or who is better than whom. Just as a lion’s pride operates smoothly through equal responsibility and cooperation, acknowledge and leverage individual strengths to contribute to the greater good.

lions

5. Patience

Female lions have perfected a sophisticated strategy when hunting prey, leveraging on their strength in numbers and the element of surprise. Instead of taking prey by sheer force, they patiently wait to ambush them. The lionesses fan out to form a semicircle and herd their target in the center.

On days when you’re itching with a need for speed, be grounded in the lion’s patience. Add a touch of lion to your attire to remind you that good things take time, and faster isn’t always better.

6. Intelligence

Aside from their strategy in cornering their prey, lions are also able to communicate with each other in a variety of ways. Auditory communication via roars, growls, grunts, and moans can mean different things.

For example, a male lion’s roar is audible up to five miles away and can serve as a warning to predators and intruders. Olfactory communication is exemplified by male lions claiming the pride’s territory through scent marking, and the group bonding by rubbing their heads on one another to share the “family scent.”

Lion accessories can be a fashionable way to promote communication and levelheadedness. Accentuate your office attire with a lion pendant to help you feel ready to face those tough decisions and complex challenges.

7. Independence

Young male lions eventually leave the pride and set out to establish their own group. Furthermore, while female lions usually hunt as a group, they can also hunt alone when the opportunity arises.

Striking out on your own, doing things alone, or solely carrying the burden of major decisions on your shoulders can be daunting, exhausting, and downright terrifying. Use the symbol of the lion to motivate yourself to embrace your independence. Along with the courage, strength, intelligence, and patience that the lion inspires, believe that you can overcome any challenge that life throws your way. 

For lion-inspired jewelry, and other eco-friendly, hand-crafted pieces, build your style and check out Himalaya Jewelry’s collections today.