Lion Jainism Symbols Pendant Dangle Charm

The lion symbolizes Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of the present time cycle. Mahavira was born in ancient India in the early 6th century BCE to a noble Kshatriya Jain family. His mother's name was Trishala, and his father's name was Siddhartha. At around the age of 30, Mahavira gave up all worldly things and left home in search of spiritual enlightenment, becoming an ascetic. Mahavira obtained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) after twelve and a half years of rigorous meditation and severe austerities. For spiritual emancipation, Mahavira taught that the vows of ahimsa (nonviolence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity), and Aparigraha (non-attachment) must be observed. Mahavira is typically represented in a contemplative sitting (or standing) stance, with a lion sign underneath him.