LION OF JUDAH: ORIGIN, MEANING, REPRESENTATIONS, RELIGION - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The Lion of Judah is one of the main symbols of the Hebrew tribe of Judah. The story of this figure stems from the religious story of Jacob with his son Judah. In the book of Genesis, it is told how the father calls his son "lion cub" at the moment of granting him his blessing and taking the symbolism of the lion to relate it to the people of Judah.

Among other meanings, it also appears as a symbol of Jerusalem, the capital of Judaism. From the Christian perspective, the Lion of Judah is the direct reference to Jesus Christ. On the other hand, it is part of the Abrahamic, Rastafarian religion, and was even used as a title by the Solomonic emperors of Ethiopia between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Monument of the Lion of Judah in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada

Origin and meanings of the Lion of Judah

Various traditions have used the symbol of the Lion of Judah as the main element within their flags, insignia and banners. The meanings vary according to the beliefs of the different religious groups that adopted the symbol.

The tribe of Judah

Before the death of Judah, his father Jacob blessed him by calling him a “lion cub”, an event from which the symbol that later would identify the tribe of Judah comes from today.

Jacob, also known as "Israel," was the grandson of Abraham and the father of twelve children. From this descent the history of the twelve tribes of Israel begins.

As a symbol, the lion represents blessing, majesty, and protection. The image was included in 1950 within the emblem of Jerusalem.

Rastafarian movement

It is a religious and political movement that was born in Jamaica during the 30s of the last century. It is the product of a combination of Christian Protestantism, Pan-African politics, and mysticism.

The Lion of Judah is the main figure of the Rastafarian movement and, in this case, represents the figure of Emperor Haile Selassie I. On the flag, the figure of the animal symbolizes African strength, royalty and sovereignty. It should be noted that this is one of the most mentioned animals in the Bible. The emperor was also called with titles like "The conquering lion of Judah."

The practitioners, called Rastas, have their own conception of time. Inside their beliefs affirm that the descendants of Africans that are by the world, but outside the place of origin, are “exiles of Babylon”. For this reason, they consider that they are passing a test imposed by God, whom they call "Jah", through slavery and racial discrimination.

The Rastas are waiting for their freedom to return to Zion (Africa). According to their tradition, Ethiopia is the throne city of Jah and the home of the Africans. There is a tendency to believe, within the Rasta religion, that Emperor Haile Selassie I is the representation of the second coming of Christ.

The lion of Judah in Christianity

According to the biblical text, in Christianity the Lion of the tribe of Judah is related to the image of Jesus. The story starts from Jacob, who fulfills the prophecy that his sons would be the founders of the people of Israel. Judah was the leader of all the brothers whom his father baptized as “the lion's cub”.

From the same lineage as Judah was born King David, who unified and expanded the Israelite lands during his tenure. From the descendants of King David himself was born Jesus, the Messiah, and for this fact he is called the Lion of Judah.

One of the most popular biblical references is found in the book of Revelation, written by John the Apostle. This text refers to the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" as the one that came from the root of David, the only one capable of reading the book of the seven seals.

Representations of the Lion of Judah

The lion of Judah has been used as a symbol in various religious, political and traditional movements. It is in the form of sculptures, flags, and banners.

Imperial Banner of Ethiopia

It was used during the time of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. It is a flag with three horizontal stripes, green, yellow, and red. The lion of Judah is located in the central part within a circle that represents the necklace of the Order of Solomon.

In each of the corners and in the lower central part, there are five insignia of the Order of Solomon, made up of a Star of David with a central cross.

Imperial banner of Haile Selassie I Ethiopia

TRAJAN 117

The necklace of the Order of Solomon is known to be the highest decoration awarded in the Ethiopian Empire.

Monument to the lion of Judah

Today there is a monument to the Lion of Judah located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The sculpture stands on a black granite pedestal. It exhibits the figure of a lion with a banner, which he holds with one leg.

It was made by Georges Gardet in 1930. It was commissioned on the occasion of the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I. It also has reliefs of the portraits of Emperors Menelik II, Zewditu and Haile Selassie I.

This figure was almost removed in the 1970s, however, it was defended as a symbol of Ethiopia and as a figure of the anti-fascist resistance.

The flag of Jerusalem

It is rooted in the Israeli flag as it also has two horizontal, blue stripes. In the center is a yellow shield with the Lion of Judah in blue. The bottom of the shield has traces that draw blocks which represent the sacred Kotel wall or Western Wall.

The sides of the shield are decorated by two olive branches. In the upper part of the central figure the word “Jerusalem” is written in Hebrew letters.

References

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3. What Does the Lion of Judah Represent? Know the Symbolism. Spiritual Ray. Recovered from spiritualray.com
4. Monument to the Lion of Judah. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org
5. Flag of Jerusalem. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org
6. Lion of Judah. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org
7. The great family of Jacob. Jehovah's Witnesses. Recovered from jw.org
8. Who is the "Lion of Judah"? Jesus Christ is the universal lord. Recovered from universal.org.ar