Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 136, April 2016, pp. 1-35. | Page 16

16
testified by numerous examples at Persepolis, showing bas-reliefs of a lion
attacking a bull, and by lion headed stone capitals. The Sassanian kings
visualized themselves in rock reliefs as fighting with the lion. The lion motif has
been one of the most persistent in Iranian art and religion, albeit with changing
connotations (Tanavoli, 1985; Khalaf-von Jaffa, 2006).
In literature, art, stories, and the social life of the Iranians, lions have always been
thought of as a symbol of power, courage and greatness. Kings and noblemen
have demonstrated their greatness and glory through illustrations of lions on
coins and swords (Khalaf-von Jaffa, 2006).
The symbol of the old flag of Iran (Shahanshah time), is a lion holding a sword in
his hand and with a half of the sun behind him.
It is interesting to know that the Iranian series of Chieftain Tanks built by the UK
during the 1970s for the Imperial Iranian Army was named: "Shire-Iran" (Iranian
lion) (Khalaf-von Jaffa, 2006).
Lion was in the game category for royalty or they were just hunted for pleasure;
and that's one of the main extinction reasons of this animal. Many miniatures
show Kings going in lion-hunt trips, alone or with troops. As late as the 19th
century, lion hunting was one of the favorite pastimes of the Iranian nomad
Khans too (Khalaf-von Jaffa, 2006).
The Persian lion, once lived in the valley of Dasht-e Arzhan (57 km west of
Shiraz), as well as the "Kam-Firuze" and "Gourab" hunting ground, south of
Hamedan (in the late 1800s). It used to roam the oak forests of the Zagros
Mountains and the riverine areas of Khuzistan (Khalaf-von Jaffa, 2006).

References and Internet Websites :
Al-Dumairi, Al-„Alama Al-Sheikh Kamal Al-Deen Mohammed bin Mousa bin
„Issa bin Ali (born in 1341 [742 H.] in Cairo and died in 1405 [808 H.] in Cairo,
Egypt). Hayat Al-Haywan Al-Kubra (The Great Animal Life). Two Parts.
Muasaset Al-A‟lami Lilmatbua‟t, Beirut, Lebanon, 2003, 1424 H. Part 1: pp. 464;
Part 2: pp. 512. (in Arabic).
Al-Jahez, Abi „Othman Amr bin Bahar Al-Basri (born ca. 776 [160 H.] in Basra
and died in 869 [255 H.] in Basra, Iraq). Kitab Al-Haywan (The Animal Book).
Eight Parts. Explained by Abd Al-Salam Muhammed Haroun. Dar Al-Jeel,
Beirut, Lebanon, 1996, 1416 H. Part1: 428; Part2: 383; Part 3: 548; Part 4: 503; Part
5: 611; Part 6: 515; Part 7: 516; Part 8: 331. (in Arabic).
Al-Qazwini, Al-Imam Zakariya bin Mohammed bin Mahmoud (born in 1203 [600
H.] in Qazwin, Persia and died in 1283 [682 H.]). „Ajae‟b Al-Makhluqat wa
Gharae‟b Al-Mawjudat (Marvels of Things Created and Miraculous Aspects of
Things Existing). Introduced by Farouq Saad. Dar Al-Afaq Al-Jadida, Beirut,
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 136 – April 2016