Why have we
chosen the Lioness?
Lionesses form remarkably
egalitarian societies that are characterized by two key features: symmetrical
relationships and a voluntary system of communal cub-rearing in which all the
qualified females engage in reproduction.
They live in groups of three to thirty individuals, called prides.
Within each pride is a group of closely related females—mothers, daughters,
sisters, and cousins. The number of individual females typically ranges from
two to eighteen, depending mainly on how much prey lives in the surrounding
area or migrates through a pride's territory.
Females do most of the hunting for the members of a pride and
remain with the group for their entire lifetime, which can extend to 18 years.
They mate and give birth to offspring—usually one to three cubs—every two or
three years, unless the cycle is disrupted by the invasion of males from
outside the group.
Considering their tumultuous lifestyle, female lions equally share
the burdens of childbearing and motherhood.
Their innate violent nature, interestingly, serves as a deterrent
to despotic behavior. Potentially lethal claws and teeth pose a significant
risk of what could be mutually assured destruction—a risk that's greater than
in any other social species. As a result, female colleagues in a pride don't
harass one another or assert their dominance in social interactions. But are motivated to work together. “In the multitude of counselors, there is
safety”.
The most important
reason why we have chosen the “Lioness” is: Our Scripture to remember tells us of a
great hope, a hope in the Messiah who is coming for His “Bride”.
Revelation 5:5
...See,
the Lion of the tribe of Judah, ... has triumphed.