Neptune's Dolphins

 

Unlike most members of the Cat Family, the lion is social. He lives in a pride and forms coalitions with his male friends. In his pride, the lionesses work together to hunt and chase off predators. Meanwhile with his male partners, the lion defends their territory against intruders. With his coalition, the lion rules the pride for a few years until a new coalition arises. Then he and his male partners leave.

 

When lions hunt, they form a cooperative group. Whether they are killing seals on a beach or cape buffalos on the savannah, the pride forms a plan of action. Some lionesses wait downwind while their sisters herd the animals towards them. Other lionesses travel around the prey to close off avenues of escape. Suddenly, a lioness shows herself, causing panic among the prey. The animals rush headlong into the pride’s ambush.

 

Because the lion is yellow, and loves sleeping in the sun, he has been the symbol of the Sun for many cultures. People so admired the lion, that they thought he possessed spiritual powers equal to his physical attitudes. As “King of the Beasts,” Lion was wise and just.

 

Killing a lion was a symbol of manhood. In Africa, young men were initiated through lion combat. The Zulu and Masai were expected to defeat a lion to become a man among their peoples. In Ethiopia, the Emperor awarded the bravest warriors with a lion mane headdress.

 

Legends of White Lions (Children of the Sun God) exist in various oral traditions, in the Timbavati Region of Africa, from the time of Queen Numbi, who ruled about four hundred years ago. Tradition holds that once every century a White Lion appears. (Note 3) A gift from God, White Lions represent the good in all creatures. In Botswana and Kenya, they are symbols of leadership and pride.

 

In Ancient Egypt, the lion was the symbol of the pharaoh. This Big Cat represented his divinity and right of rule. To symbolize his power and authority, the pharaoh wore the Lion Headdress (the Nemes crown (Note 4)). Meanwhile, the Lion God, Maahes, guarded the Pharaoh as he went about his affairs.

 

In China, the lion is a mythic creature, a symbol of nobility and dignity. Guardian Lions (Foo Dogs) protect buildings from harmful spirits. The left Lion is a female with her Cub, representing Yin. Meanwhile, the right Lion is a male with a ball, representing Yang. These Lions of Order are balancing equal and opposing forces, while the Cub is Chaos. These statues, always in pairs, are at entrances or the north or northwest parts of the buildings.

 

Lion Dancing, which has a very long tradition, is an essential part of Chinese festivals. The Lion Dance brings good luck, prosperity, and happiness to the people at the festival. The two styles of the Chinese Lion Dance are the Southern which originated in Guangdong and the Northern, which was the original. Meanwhile, various peoples in Asia have their version of the Lion Dance. In Japan, the dance is performed during New Years for good luck and to drive away evil. In Korea, the Lion Dance is used for exorcism. In Tibet, they conduct the Snow Lion Dance, their Emblem of power and strength.

 

Meanwhile, Christianity had complex relations with the lion. While Mark, the Evangelist is represented by the lion, Christ treads on the lion as the enemy of God. However, the Lion represents Christ as coming from the tribe of Judah. (Note 5)

 

While humans celebrate the male lion as “King,” the lions themselves live in coalitions. They teach constructive group dynamics. When hunting, everyone contributes to bringing down the prey. Working together patiently makes for a successful hunt. Even though lions have strong personalities, they cooperate successfully. Learn from the lion how to accomplish much in your group.

 

Notes:

Note 1. Cats are traditionally divided into two groups – Big and Small Cats. Big Cats (Pantherinae) differ from Small Cats (Felinae) in several ways. They roar instead of purr, with their roars being very loud and resonant. Unlike Small Cats, Big Cats attack animals larger than themselves. They suffocate the prey with a strangle hold on the neck or by covering the prey’s snout with their jaws. Messy eaters, Big Cats do not groom themselves as meticulously as Small Cats.

 

The Cat Subfamilies: Felinae includes the puma, ocelot, jaguarundi, and margay cat. Pantherinae includes the bobcat, jaguar, lion, leopard (panther), lynx, and the tiger.

 

Note 2. The Asian Lion (Panthera leo leo) ranged from Turkey to India.

 

Note 3. In the 1970s, White Lions were found again in the Timbavati Region in South Africa, and are now protected.

 

Note 4. The Nemes is the striped head cloth with two large flaps hanging behind the ears and in the front of the shoulders.

 

Note 5. Lion Christian Symbols:

Lion: Christ

With Cross-Shaped Nimbus: Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Carrying a Book: Christ as the Teacher

Sleeping: Christ, the Divine Watcher

Winged: St. Mark, the Evangelist