If you are 'in to' the Rastafari culture, you must have noticed the images of a lion and symbols that represent a lion. In the next couple minutes, you will learn why the lion is the symbol of the Rastafari movement.
For having the best experience, I recommend reading this article with your finest rolled #ganja.
What lions mean for Rastas
Actually, I think, that even if you are not into the Rasta culture, you must have seen this symbol before.
It might be that you didn't pay much attention to why this might be a very important symbol for the Rastafarians, but your brain must have picked it up. I hope that this sentence made a bit sense. Anyway it just is, and I will tell you why Rastas just #love their lions.
I am not sure if I should come immediately to the point or not, as I am #stoned while writing this so the indecisiveness has hit me like a bong on a Sunday morning. ... ... ... Wait, it is Sunday morning. Gotcha
source: Twitter
King of the Jungle
In the wild, lions are seen as the kings of the animal kingdom. They are powerful, strong, and maybe the most important, manly. In the rasta culture, men are the predominant species. Strong, and admired for their leadership and mental and physical capabilities. I am not saying that I think females are the weaker gender, (before I got all the gals on this platform in my neck, and starts shouting #METOO in the comment section below). Let this just be clear.
Ras Tafari aka Heile Selassie
As you know, the emperor, Heile Selassie, the true founder of the Rastafarians, his nickname is: "The Lion of Judah". The Rastas call him: ¨The conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah", which national symbol was, -how did you guessed it, the lion. As Ras Tafari is for all the Rastas the most important 'person' in their belief, the lion got adopted as the symbol of Rastafarianism too. Many believe, that also having dreadlocks, is a symbol of power because you look a bit like a lion. (manes etc)
On this photo you see the monument "The Lion Of Judah" in Addis Ababa which I found on wikipedia
Roots in Ethiopia
So nowadays, you see the Ethiopian flag with an image of a lion on every Reggae themed bar, festival or gathering. Heile Selassie Makonnen, born and raised in Ethiopia and later crowned emperor of the country is a very important person for Rastafarian. Therefore, you will often see a portrait of him on an Ethiopian flag accompanied by the image of a lion.
So, next time, when someone asks: Why is a lion the symbol for the Rastafari? You can give them an answer straight away.
Alternatively, you can also tell them that these animals are an endangered species in the African Savanne and that wildlife programs need your help. "People" kill them for, and I have a hard time saying this, pleasure. Wait let me go vomit.
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wait, I just visualized a beautiful King of the Jungle with a 13mm hole in his chest.
....vomits more...
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Don't do THIS:
Ok, yes you might have had to read that twice, and yes you read it right the first time, but some "people" do kill lions for trophy/fun. If someone of you accidentally shoots these people/criminals, please bring them to a taxidermitologist and I will buy the trophy for a decent stack of crypto.(*)
(*) Don't, this clearly was a joke and I am NOT gonna pay for some SOAB's head on my wall.
