Lion of Judea Tattoo and Its Religious Background

Posted on October 20, 2009
Filed Under Tattoo History

Lion of Judea Tattoo and Its Religious Background The lion of Judea tattoo has a broad religious background. It is connected with the two widespread world religions: Judaism and Christianity.

The Biblical Judah (or in Hebrew: Yehuda) is the original name of the Tribe of Judah, the Lion itself being an emblem of that Israelite tribe in Old Testament in the Book of Genesis. It was also mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

The winged Lion of Judea tattoo in is symbol of the South. Jews understand the lion as a symbol of power and cruelty. Lion is an emblem of the generation of Jehuda and the regal house of David, and it is also a zodiac sigh of a summer month of av, that carries an exceptional meaning to the fate of Hebrew people.

In Christian tradition, the Lion of Judah symbolizes Jesus. The lion of Judah is used as an emblem or even a name of many Christian ministries and organizations.

In Christianity the symbolism of the Lion is ambivalent: on the one hand it means the regal origin of King of Judea, on the other hand is signifies the ability of the Christ to rescue the Christians from the jaws of a roaring lion that is the devil. The lion is believed to sleep with open eyes and show vigilant surveillance, spiritual watchfulness and strength. The Lion acts as a sentry who maintains the principles of the Church.

Moreover, it is considered that lion cubs are born dead and its parents breathe life in it, that’s why lion also stands for Resurrection.

In addition, the lion of Judea has a close connection to the Rastafarian Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia who was crowned Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Rastas consider Selassie to be a direct descendant of the Israelite Tribe of Judah I mentioned above. They believe that he belongs to King David and Solomon lineage.