It is one of the oldest and most powerful symbols in Jewish tradition: the Lion of Judah. An emblem of royalty that spans more than three millennia — and now even adorns the coat of arms of Jerusalem.

The Origin: Jacob's Blessing

It all starts with a verse. On his deathbed, Jacob blessed his twelve sons, and to Judah he said: "Judah is a lion's cub" (Gur aryeh Yehudah, Genesis 49:9). The rest of the blessing announced that "the scepter will not depart from Judah": the kingship of Israel would come from this tribe. The lion thus became the emblem of Judah — and by extension, of the entire Jewish royalty.

From King David to Jerusalem

The promise was fulfilled with King David, who descended from the tribe of Judah, and whose dynasty reigned in Jerusalem. Three thousand years later, the lion still appears on the official emblem of the city of Jerusalem — a rare example of a biblical symbol becoming a municipal logo. Even the words have traveled: the names Arié, Leib, Leon all carry this lion as a heritage.

What the Lion Teaches

In tradition, the lion is not a symbol of brutality but of quiet strength. Pirkei Avot asks: "Who is strong? He who conquers his evil inclination" (Avot 4:1). The true lion does not roar to frighten — it commands respect by its very bearing. It is an inner royalty: mastering oneself before seeking to master anything else.

The Lion at EMETH

This is exactly the lion we draw: crowned, golden, calm. You will find it in the Lion of Judah collection and the Kingdom Collection — notably on the Lion Plastron, worn over the heart, and the Lion Heavyweight. For the meaning of the number that often accompanies it, read The 613 Mitzvot.

Verified sources: Genesis 49:9-10; Pirkei Avot 4:1.