A lion is a large, powerful wild cat with a golden coat, known for the male’s thick mane and for living in groups called prides. Lions are often called the “king of the jungle,” even though they usually live on grasslands.
“Lion” comes from Old French “lion,” from Latin “leō,” from Greek “leōn,” all referring to the same big cat. The animal has been important in stories and symbols since ancient times.
Despite their fierce image, lions spend most of their day resting—up to 20 hours. The animal that symbolizes courage and nonstop strength is, in reality, a master of energy-saving naps.
In many cultures, ‘lion’ has symbolized courage and leadership, historically coded as masculine, even though lionesses do most of the hunting in prides. Literary and heraldic traditions often use male lions as emblems of kingship and male bravery.
When using ‘lion’ metaphorically for bravery or leadership, avoid assuming the subject is male; you can explicitly reference lionesses or mixed groups when appropriate.
["brave person","leader","protector"]
In actual lion social structures, lionesses play central roles in hunting, territory defense, and raising cubs, challenging the male-centered symbolic use of lions in human culture.
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