Lions

Lions usually represent the animal *Panthera leo* and fictional creatures based off of them. Due to conservation failures, most English-speakers think or used to think of lions as solely African animals. However in the past they ranged across the Eurasian continent and Africa. By around 900 AD they were fully extinct from Europe and the Cacausus region. Though it is their previous range, it has caused confusion to some modern people. That is to say, "how could Hercules fight a lion if they're from Africa?" or "why do Chinese people celebrate lions so when they aren't even around?". Lions existed in some areas of Asia, and as recently as the 1940s they were still in the Middle East, though exceptionally rare. However now Asiatic lions only exist in one national park in India, and are overpopulated and trapped there.

Lions are famous worldwide. They are featured in many extinct and modern religions in places they once reigned, and they were not forgotten. They continue to be celebrated in festivals dedicated to them and in art. They are often characters or referenced in literature and electronic media throughout the world. Lions are one of the most commonly depicted animals. They also have many starring roles in television.

## King of the Jungle

Lions are often portrayed as noble animals. They are deemed as powerful predators that command respect. The phrase "king of the jungle" is used to refer to them. However, most Americans nowadays know that they don't live there, and feel that it is a misnomer as there have been attempts to correct this. Though in fact Asian ones do live in jungles. However African ones tend to stick to savannahs. The "king of the savannah" never caught on, though I've heard "king of the serengeti" a couple times, but it's still quite rare.

Lions are not just called the kings of the jungle, but are also portrayed as such. Male lions are depicted as amazing, handsome, and often just. They represent regality and supreme power. They are often found in leadership positions in their portrayals. Those without a traditional pride are seen as a leader of animals or in other powerful roles. The concept of a male lion being a ruler is found in history. The Panshatantra was published at an unknown date, but one of its earliest translation was at 550 AD, making the book published that year or older. It tells of a story of a lion who ruled over a predator kingdom. In modern times lions we have the Lion King, in which a king rules over his pride and his territory which consists of other animals, though how much they rule over prey and other non-competitors is not detailed. In Zootopia the mayor is a lion.

Lions, when not royal themselves, were associated with royalty. They were often found on heraldic symbols in European cultures. In ancient Egypt several gods depicted as partially lions were protectors of the land or of the pharaohs themselves. In ancient Mesopotamia it was the symbol of the king of Babylon and was associated with the goddess Ishtar.

## References

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History\_of\_lions\_in\_Europe&oldid=1059508834
2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asiatic\_lion&oldid=1102755185
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lion&oldid=1103909556
4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Panchatantra&oldid=1087890374
5. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cultural\_depictions\_of\_lions&oldid=1087916425
6. ↑ https://www.learnreligions.com/the-goddess-bast-2561793