Animal Symbolism: The Lion

Often - very often in fact - I think about lions, and more specifically a lion in its symbolical meaning. What is it about the lion that gives such fear, respect and admiration in us humans? It can’t be only the simple fact that the lion is a brutal beast and the king of the jungle, the king of the animals. Or is it in fact this simple?

Personally I’ve often seen myself as a lion, and sometimes I think other people see me as a lion. It just sits there in the shade underneath the tree, it seems so lazy, and a little bored perhaps. But then you walk up to it, it roars, you shit your pants and then it eats you alive. Mess with a lion and you will meet your maker. That’s just fucking cool!

Maybe I’m like that because I’m a Finn, even though I do not think all Finns are, but there is something Finnish about a lion. The essence, the true, pure essence of a Finn is very much lion-like. The lion traditionally symbolizes bravery, valour, strength and royalty and you can not tell me the Finnish people are not brave, heroic and strong! Finland’s coat of arms and national symbol is a lion and that is just perfect. The lion, and the lion spirit is everywhere. We used to have the picture of a lion on our coins (before the fucking Euro), the state flag of the republic of Finland has a lion on it, our national hockey team are called Leijonat (The Lions) etc.

I know the lion as a heraldic symbol is used a lot around Europe, but I can’t really see the lion fitting more perfectly in another place, state and mindset than right here in Finland (yes I’m biased)!

I know this is a bit random, and as always I have trouble focusing my thoughts, but I would like to know what you think about this. Drop me a comment.

~ by Dankku on May 15, 2008.