This document provides a brief history of lions depicted across various cultures and time periods, including ancient Babylon and Assyria from 605-562 BC, ancient Greek lions from the 4th century BC, Chinese temple guardian lions from the 17th century, Japanese "Shisa" statues from the 14th century on Okinawa, a Flemish painting by Rubens from 1614-1616, a 19th century sculpture on the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, another 19th century sculpture with Emperor Franz Joseph in Vienna, a 20th century landmark in Las Vegas, Disney lions from the 20th century, and a 21st century symbol from World of Warcraft.

1. National Lions

2. 605-562 B.C.
Ancient: Babylon

3. Ancient: Assyria
“The Dying Lioness” (640 B.C.)

4. Ancient Greek Lions (4th Century B.C.)

5. Asia: China
Temple Guardian 17th Century (?)

6. Asia: Japanese Lion (old and new)

7. “Shisa” 14th Century
Asia: Okinawa

8. Europe: Flanders
(Rubens, “Daniel in the Lions’s Den”), 1614-1616

9. Europe: Paris
Hôtel de Ville, 19th Century

10. Vienna: Kunscthistorisches Museum
(with Kaiser Franz Joseph), 19th Century

11. America:Las Vegas
MGM Grand, 20th Century

12. America: Walt Disney
(Kimba and Simba), 20th century

13. America: World of Warcraft Alliance Coat of Arms
Blizzard Entertainment, 21st Century