8 of the Holiest Animals of the World’s Religions (4 of 5)

6. Lion (Buddhism, Christianity)

The symbol of the lion holds special religious significance for both Buddhists and Christians, however, for distinct reasons. In Buddhist tradition, the lion is responsible for protecting Buddha. This is why if you ever get a chance to visit Buddhist temples in China, you will undoubtedly encounter lion statues guarding the entrance. Westerners often confuse them for Chow Chows.

In Christianity, lions are symbols that are meant to be simultaneously admired and feared. For instance, Jesus is called “the lion of the tribe of Judah,” a nod to his royal ancestry, and yet the devil is described as a “roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Quite the paradox indeed!

7. Jackal (Ancient Egypt)

Ancient Egypt had a problem. More specifically, a jackal problem. Ancient Egyptians thought the body had to be preserved for the afterlife, so they must have been horrified when jackals dug up decomposing bodies in cemeteries. The remedy was to create a loophole around this rule. They began worshipping the jackal-headed god Anubis, who would make sure the dead were properly escorted to the afterlife before their bodies could be dug up.