Mythological lions

A sphinx ( ; , ; or sphinges ) is a mythical creature with the head of a human, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle.

fifth astrological sign in the zodiac

mythical or fictional animal with parts taken from various animals

the lion killed by Hercules

thumb|Atalanta surrounded by three Erotes, Attic white-ground [[lekythos, c. 500–470 BC]]

thumb|Manticore or "Martigora" ― Johannes Jonston (1652), Historiae NaturalisCopperplate engraving by Matthäus Merian.

The Merlion () is the official mascot of Singapore. It is depicted as a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. Being of prominent symbolic nature to Singapore and Singaporeans in general, it is widely used to represent both the city state and its people in sports teams, advertising, branding, tourism and as a national personification.

national and cultural symbol

symbol of Mark the Evangelist

The name Hippomenes may also refer to the father of Leimone. thumb|Marble statue of Hippomenes by Guillaume Coustou. Louvre museum in Paris, France

The pixiu (; ) is a Chinese mythical hybrid creature. Pixiu are considered powerful protectors of the souls of the dead, xian, and feng shui practitioners, and resemble strong, winged lions. A Pixiu is an earth and sea variation, particularly an influential and auspicious creature for wealth, and is said to have a voracious appetite exclusively for gold, silver, and jewels. Therefore, traditionally to the Chinese, Pixiu have always been regarded as auspicious creatures that possessed mystical powers capable of drawing from all directions, and according to the Chinese zodiac, it is especially h

an element in Iran's national flag

Indonesian lion-like creature and character in the mythology of Java and Bali

1st century statue at Plamyra, Syria

mythical creature

thumb|260px|A pair of komainu, the "a" on the right, the "um" on the left

mythical creature found in Indian architecture and fables

thumb|right|Tomori shisa is a traditional Ryukyuan cultural artifact and decoration derived from Chinese guardian lions, often seen in similar pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawan mythology. Shisa are wards, believed to protect from some evils. People place pairs of shisa on their rooftops or flanking the gates to their houses, with the left shisa traditionally having a closed mouth, the right one an open mouth. The open mouth shisa traditionally wards off evil spirits, and the closed mouth shisa keeps good spirits in.

A nian beast () is a beast in Chinese mythology. According to Chinese mythology, the nian lives under the sea or in the mountains. The Chinese character nian more usually means "year" or "new year". The earliest written sources that refer to the nian as a creature date to the early 20th century. As a result, it is unclear whether the nian creature is an authentic part of traditional folk mythology, or a part of a local oral tradition that was recorded in the early 20th century. Nian is one of the key characters in the Chinese New Year. Scholars cite it as the reason behind several practices du

mythical lion of Boeotia

The hieracosphinx () is a mythical beast found in Egyptian sculpture and European heraldry. The god Haroeris ("Horus the Elder") was usually depicted as one. The name Hieracosphinx comes from the Greek , itself from (hierax "hawk") + ("sphinx").

medieval bronze sculpture in Brunswick, Germany

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mythical son of Amphidamas

thumb|Durga upon her lion mount, Dawon

ancient Babylonian symbol

thumb|175px|right|A sea-lion, illustrated in A Complete Guide to Heraldry (1909). In heraldry, the term sea-lion (sometimes called a morse) refers to a legendary creature that has the head and upper body of a lion, but with webbed forelimbs and a fish tail. These occur most frequently as supporters, but also occur as crests and occasionally as charges. Sea-lions are frequently found in "sejant" or "sejant-erect" (sitting upright) attitudes, but may also be found "naiant" (horizontally, as if swimming) or "assurgeant" (issuing from the waves of the sea).

thumb|260px|Fierce lion-headed dakini Simhamukha crowned with Padmasambhava In Tibetan Buddhism, Siṃhamukhā (Tib. Senge Dongma) or Siṃhavaktra, also known as the Lion Face Dakini or Lion-headed Dakini, is a wisdom dakini of the Dzogchen tradition. She is represented as a fierce dakini with the head of a snow lion. Her mouth is depicted with a roar, symbolizing untamed fury and jubilant laughter. Her roar disperses discursive thoughts. She is naked, symbolizing that she herself is completely free of discursive thought.