Flags With Cats, Tigers, Leopards and Other Felids Around the World

My Beloved cats: Shiro (left), Allen (Center) Orange (right). | Source

This article showcases flags from around the world that feature species of carnivorous mammals belonging to the family Felidae, also known as the felid or the cat family. This includes big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as small species like the caracal, lynx, house cats and serval. The Felidae family consists of more than 40 species, some of which are mentioned above.

In this article, I will highlight flags that feature felids. These include national flags, state or provincial flags, city flags, and even flags or banners of various organizations. In the entire world, the lions and leopards are the only member of the Felidae family featured on national flags. Four countries display lions on their national flags: Fiji, Montenegro, Sri Lanka, and Spain; while one country features leopards on its flag: Croatia. I will begin by presenting some facts about these flags and the meaning of lions and leopards on them, followed by a look at other flags from around the world that feature cats and other felids.

Flags From Around the World That Featured Felids

National Flags With Leopard:

Croatia

The flag of Croatia comprises of equal size of red, white, and blue horizontal stripes with a coat of arms in the center. The coat of arms consists of a red and white checkerboard shield, crowned by five smaller shields. These five shields represent the historical coat of arms of historical regions of Croatia during the medieval period. The shields are colored in alternating light and dark blue, and each one features unique symbol elements.

The central shield of the crown defaced with three crowned golden leopard heads. It represents the Kingdom of Dalmatia (now a Croatian region). In that kingdom, leopards were popular symbols in heraldry. The three heads symbolize strength, courage, and vigilance—qualities often attributed to leopards and considered noble traits for rulers and warriors.

National Flags With Lions:

Countries that have lions on their flags are listed below:

Sri Lanka
Montenegro
Fiji
Spain

Banner of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka | Source

1. Sri Lanka

The national flag of Sri Lanka consists of vertical green and orange bands on the hoist side, representing the Muslim and Tamil ethnic groups. The fly end features a maroon field with four Bo leaves in each corner, symbolizing the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism. In the center of the maroon, there is a golden lion holding a sword. The entire flag is bordered with gold.

The lion represents Sinhabahu, a mythical figure believed to be the ancestor of the Sinhalese people, symbolizing their noble heritage. The sword it's holding signifies courage and the commitment of people to defend sovereignty and justice.

Banner of Republic of Montenegro | Source

2. Montenegro

The flag of Montenegro features a red field with a golden border. At the center, a golden coat of arms displays a crowned two-headed eagle holding a golden orb and scepter, with a shield bearing a lion in front.

The lion symbolizes Orthodox Christianity, the most prominent religion in the country, with its Biblical significance as Jesus is referred to as the Lion of Judah. It also represents Saint George, the patron saint of Montenegro. According to Montenegrin legend, Saint George slain a dragon, a symbol of the triumph of good over evil. He embodies strength, courage, and nobility, much like the lion. The lion resonates Montenegro’s religious and cultural traditions.

3. Fiji

Fiji is a small archipelagic nation located in the Pacific Ocean. Its flag has a light blue field with the flag of the United Kingdom in the upper left corner and the shield-shaped Fijian coat of arms on the right side.

The lion on this flag is found in the upper section of the coat of arms. The lion is golden in color and holds a white cacao pod, depicted against a red background. The represents strength, courage, and noble character. It holds a cacao pod to symbolize Fiji’s agricultural sector. Many elements in the Fijian flag reflect its history as a former British colony, which is why it also features the United Kingdom flag. While lions are not native to Fiji, their portrayal in the flag is another clear representation of British influence.

4. Spain

The Spanish flag consists of three horizontal stripes: red at the top and bottom, with yellow in the center. Toward the left side of the yellow stripe, the Spanish coat-of arms is featured. It comprises of various elements, including a shield, a crown, and two pillars wrapped with a ribbon that inscribed with "PLUS ULTRA," the Spanish for "Further Beyond."

The lion on the flag is found in the upper right corner of the shield. It is pink or purple in color and is depicted on a white background. The reason why it is depicted in pink or purple is unclear. Along with the lion, the shield also includes a castle on a red field; alternating vertical stripes of yellow and red; a chain; and a pomegranate. These five elements represent the flags of the five kingdoms that comprised Medieval Spain: the Kingdom of Castile, the Kingdom of León, the Kingdom of Aragón, the Kingdom of Navarre, and the Kingdom of Granada. The lion represents the Kingdom of León which is literally translateed to Kingdom of Lions. It did not refer to the number of lions that roamed the kingdom, but rather to the use of the lion in the kingdom's heraldry, mostly in the royal coat of arms, where the animal is often depicted. The lions symbolized strength, courage, and royal authority in the kingdom.

Don’t forget the sixth element in the center of the five kingdoms. It is a fleur-de-lis, a French symbol. It symbolizes the historical connections of Spain and France.