The Death of a Lion

Frida Bredesen photo

By

Hazel Speed

On one form of social media I came across a photograph which made me sad; it was the death of a lion, which had been stretched out across the feet (rug style), of a rather corpulent man holding rifles, he and his wife posing for the camera with smiles on their faces.

The lion is known as the King of the Jungle, and the symbol which is identified with England in heraldic formats – Landseer designed Admiral Lord Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square with the replications, and metaphorical protection of great lions at its four corners of the base.

Many people living in the UK (and tourists of the world), climb their backs and have photographs taken. These lions are depicted as sitting with outstretched legs and eyes open, their faces with glorious expressions as if they are on duty, which of course, in many ways, they are.

The difference between the gruesome photograph referred to initially herein, and the ones taken with the metaphorical lions shown as if living, is that whereas the former sad image disgusts the viewer, the ones protecting Admiral Lord Nelson fill everyone with pride and we honour the lion and the lion-hearts of England, (King Richard, the Lionheart).

It was positively disgusting when over a hundred years ago, the British would go on their type of safari in Africa, India and elsewhere, and then decorate their homes with ‘shot it themselves’ interiors, but to see that this is still going on in 2017 should be an arrestable offence.

We recall ‘Cecil the lion‘ being killed, then not too long ago, it was reported that one of his sons had met the same fate.

I looked at the face of the real dead lion in the photograph on social media, and I am best not to report my initial thoughts, but this beautiful animal looked as if he were asleep; this sheer magnificent creature had every right to exist, however his obvious beauty was also part of his downfall.

Then I had a repeatable thought as I looked at the lion’s closed eyes, such as ‘I am truly sorry, this was not done in my name’.

If man is so willing to destroy such beauty due to his/her arrogance, then that says all one needs to know about the ‘shooter(s)’ themselves as people.

What right do we have to visit the lion’s home environment in their own country, just to end its existence? (This also includes so many other animals, birds, fishes that are either kidnapped for sale, or become dead trophies, etc).

Then I thought of the dead lion as a metaphor in respect of Brexit – the lion of England is suffering badly right now, but we must not let those who hunt to end its existence (and the Family Constituent Countries of the UK – the Heraldic Unicorn of Scotland, the Griffin of Wales, and Irish Harp/red Hand of Northern Ireland), be successful – we must protect our own beauty herein.

If the lion of England is killed then so too will Albion die, the historic name for England.

I love my Country which is why I felt compelled to write this article, in two respects, firstly to honour one real dead lion, wrongly killed, and to add that I love the lions and all living things, including trees, plants, flowers, butterflies et al – I just cannot understand how others have no heart and just want to kill.

Secondly, to honour the significance of the Lion as a great symbol for England.

Hazel Speed

Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine

Hazel Speed is a Philosopher, Writer, and Artist with various creative projects at differing stages of development. Her flaship project is an animation which has produced a film short: www.thepinkprofessor.com. She has also written an E-novel, ‘Just Suppose…!‘ which is available via the attached link.

Art sites: www.candystoreart.com, www.terrificart.com, www.artbadges.co.uk