DESCRIPTION: | In a feature of lion shamanistic beliefs, the lion is spirit that assist the shaman in his travels through the heavens and the netherworld. The lion was the royal hunting trophy par excellence, and its defeat by the sovereign represented the skill and courage of the ideal ruler and huntsman. It was among the most commonly depicted animals in the Seljuq period, from Mosul the animal may appear with attributes, such as wings, from other creatures or with the heads of dragons or birds at the tips of the lion’s wings or tail, and always clearly identifiable. However, the lion’s projection of royal authority, strength, and protection remained constant. |
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