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Lions

© Vickie Ferguson

Lions have played a role throughout history and their name alone can evoke many images. They are synonymous with courage, strength, and power and have an air of confidence matched by none.

They've worn the famous title of "king of beasts" easily. They have had their own advertising icon with MGM studios as Leo the lion. They have had documentaries tracking their life in Africa like the very famous lioness, Elsa. They've soared to stardom in the animated movie, "The Lion King", is one of the 13 constellations and had their species paired with the name of a king as in Richard the Lion-Hearted.

Their profiles and likenesses have been carved and sculpted and can be found in Roman, Egyptian and Greek architecture and history.

They've been depicted as the symbol of the Egyptian God, Aker, guardian of sunrise and sunset. Were worshipped by the pharaohs and a recent discovery of a tomb in the Nile valley found the complete skeleton of a full-grown male lion. See the story here.

They have their own history in Chinese culture. In Grenada Spain at the Palace Alhambra in the courtyard of the lions. In France at the Fountain with the Lions at Nubie. In Greece, this 6 BC sculpture from the terrace of the lions. The frescos of the Tomb of the Painted Lions, Caere. The Corcoran Lions at the White House in Washington , D.C. were modeled on those that were originally created to guard the tomb of Pope Clement in Rome by Antonio Canova. Scroll down a bit to see the tomb flanked by the lions.

In mythology, the Nemean lion, Leo, was the first of 12 labors that Hercules had to complete. This entry page to The Lion Research Center shows drawings found in France and is one of the oldest cave drawings dated at 35,000 years old.

As you can see, lions have played a significant role in many cultures throughout history. Today, the lion is still the king of beasts and strives to survive in a world where their habitat and way of life is threatened by hunting, exotic trade and depletion of adequate territory.

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