Discussion Groups / English Usage / February 2010

The England soccer shirt has three lions by way of logo. You can see brief
examples in the video you cite.
It's a recurring theme in our football songs. Here's one we made earlier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQu8tk8V0LE

Here's a recent shirt with a close-up of the moggies:
http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/nikeenglandshirt.jpg

It refers to the England national football team.

A shield with three lions is an emblem of England:
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/images/coatofarms.png

The three lions are used in the logo of the English Football
Association:
http://www.irfo.ir/images/logos/fa_the-football-association.jpg
http://www.england-team.com/football/shirts/englandshirt3.jpg

They are also used in the logo of the England cricket team
http://www.cricshop.com/images/productimages/1/ECBSUN09.jpg
http://www.cricshop.com/images/productimages/1/CS613207.jpg

Great! Thank you all!
Bernhard

<quote>
When Richard I came to the throne, so too did his personal coat of
arms.  The 'three lions passant guardant in pale' appeared in gold on a
red background.  Before this point, only two golden lions had adorned a
red crest, following the Norman Conquest of 1066 (the House of
Normandy).  Then following the succession of King Henry II (the House of
Plantagenet) in 1158, it became one golden lion.   Differing stories will
have you believe that Richard's lions were based on the original Normandy
arms, with an extra lion added to represent the ongoing Anglo-Norman
alliance.  Another story will tell us that two leopards were combined
with another from Aquitaine, a region in South-West France, on the
acquisition of more territories to the crown.  But the more cynical will
tell you that it was simply down to an artist being only bothered to
design three lions for England, just as they had designed only two for
Normandy.  The number of lions had no apparent significance, as this was
Heraldic Coats of Arms in its infancy, based on decoration, above any
other reason.  Yet another version could be more simple, King Richard
simply brought together the lions of Normandy and Plantagenet, and
created the new Three Lions.  A simple case of mathematics.  Some things
can be explained simply, instead of complicating matters.

The lions themselves do hold significance.  There are so many Heraldic
Lions, that the very stance of each means something.  These three lions
are, 'lion rampant guardant', a walking lion. The dexter forepaw is
raised, with the other three paws remaining on the ground, and the head
turned to face the spectator.  It is these three lions that make up the
England Coat of Arms.  This Lion of England can only be used when it has
been honourably warranted, that is, Royalty must give its express
permission for its use.  So it is the Royal Monarch of the United Kingdom
that own the three lions, not the Football Association, as we may believe.

</quote>

The British lion has long been a heraldic character
symbolizing the British people (as the black eagle
symbolizes the German people and the rooster
the French.)

The England Rugby Football team.

With best wishes,

Peter.