Lion Coloring Pages
A lion's roar can carry about 8 kilometres (5 miles), so you'd definitely hear one coming! On these coloring pages you'll find fluffy cubs, proud lionesses, detailed designs for grown-ups and lots of lions from myths and stories.
Jump to: Graffiti Art | Adult | Cartoon | Myths and Legends | Lions in Stories
Graffiti Art Lion Coloring Pages
These graffiti-style pages mix realistic and stylized lions with big, bold "Lion" lettering, ready for bright, wild colors.
Lion Adult Coloring Pages
Cartoon Lion Coloring Pages
Lions in Myth and Legend
Lions have stood for strength, courage and royalty for thousands of years, so it's no surprise they turn up in myths, religions and traditions all over the world.
The Nemean Lion (Greek and Roman Mythology)
The Nemean Lion was a monstrous lion whose golden hide couldn't be pierced by any weapon. Slaying it was the first of the Twelve Labors of the Greek hero Herakles (Hercules to the Romans). When his arrows bounced off, Herakles wrestled the lion and strangled it with his bare hands. Since nothing could cut the hide, he used the lion's own claws to skin it, and he wore the pelt as armor from then on. That's why Herakles is almost always shown wearing a lion skin.
Herakles coloring pages Hercules coloring pages
Sekhmet (Egyptian Mythology)
Sekhmet was an Egyptian goddess with the head of a lioness. She was linked with war and destruction, but also with healing, so she had the power both to cause harm and to cure it. She was a protector of the pharaohs and was often shown as a fierce warrior.
Pakhet (Egyptian Mythology)
Pakhet was another lioness goddess, much like Sekhmet but with her own personality. She was a goddess of the desert, and her name means "She Who Scratches," a nod to both her hunting and her protective side. She was believed to guard against desert dangers and guide travelers safely through the wilderness. Her worship was centered around Beni Hasan in Middle Egypt, where she was the protector of the region.
Narasimha and Durga (Hindu Mythology)
Lions are linked with several Hindu deities. Narasimha, an avatar of the god Vishnu, is part man and part lion, and is known for destroying evil and protecting his devotees. The goddess Durga is often shown riding a lion or tiger into battle, a sign of her strength as a warrior.
The Lion Dance (Chinese Tradition)
The Lion Dance is a traditional Chinese performance seen at festivals and celebrations, especially Lunar New Year. Usually two dancers share one lion costume, one working the head and one the tail, and they leap and tumble to the beat of drums, gongs and cymbals. The dance is said to bring good luck and scare away evil spirits.
African Folklore
In many African cultures, lions stand for leadership, strength and courage. They show up in lots of folk tales, sometimes as wise and fair rulers of the animals, and sometimes as proud or greedy characters who learn a lesson by the end of the story.
Daniel in the Lions' Den (the Bible)
Lions are mentioned many times in the Bible. One of the best-known stories is Daniel in the lions' den, where Daniel is thrown in with the lions for praying to God, and his faith keeps him safe until morning.
Leo (Astrology)
Leo, the lion, is the fifth sign of the zodiac, and people born under it are said to be bold, warm-hearted natural leaders. In Greek myth, the constellation Leo is the Nemean Lion, placed among the stars after Herakles defeated it.
Lions in Stories
The Lion and the Mouse (Aesop's Fables)
In this fable, a mighty lion catches a little mouse but lets it go. Later, the lion is caught in a hunter's net, and the mouse remembers his kindness and chews through the ropes to set him free. The lesson: even the smallest friend can be a big help.
Androcles and the Lion (Roman Folklore)
Androcles was a runaway slave who found a lion limping in pain from a thorn in its paw. He pulled the thorn out, and the lion became his friend. Years later, Androcles was captured and thrown to a lion in the arena, but it was the same lion, and instead of attacking, it greeted him like an old friend. The crowd was so amazed that both were set free.
The Cowardly Lion (The Wizard of Oz)
In L. Frank Baum's classic story, the Cowardly Lion joins Dorothy on her journey to see the Wizard, hoping to be given courage. Along the way he keeps doing brave things anyway, and he learns that real courage means facing your fears, not never feeling them.
Aslan (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Aslan is the great lion of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. He's wise, kind and powerful, and he stands for goodness and creation in the stories.
The Lion King
Disney's "The Lion King" follows Simba, a young lion who has to grow up and take his place as king. Along the way he learns about family, friendship and responsibility, and the story has become a favorite for generations.
About Lions
Lions get called the "king of the jungle," but they don't actually live in jungles. They live on open grasslands and savannahs, mostly in Africa, with one small group left in the Gir Forest of India.
Lions are the only cats that live in big family groups called prides. The lionesses team up to do most of the hunting, while the males patrol the pride's territory and roar to warn other lions to keep out. And when they're not busy? They nap. A lot. Lions can sleep up to 20 hours a day, which sounds pretty good to me.
Coloring a Lion
Start with a warm golden tan all over, a bit like dry grass in the sun, and keep the belly, chin and the fur around the mouth lighter and creamier. Lions are the only cats with a tuft of fur on the end of their tail, so color that dark brown or black, along with the backs of the ears.
The mane is where you can really have fun. Some male lions have pale blond manes and others are dark brown, almost black. Many are lighter around the face and darker toward the back. Try layering a few browns and golds and adding streaks so it looks thick and shaggy. Lion eyes are usually amber or golden brown.
Cubs are born with faint spots, so add a few soft brown dots on their legs and tummies. For the background, try a savannah at sunset, with an orange and pink sky, long golden grass and a flat-topped tree. On the cartoon pages, a lion with a rainbow mane would look pretty fabulous.