Happy Av!

The Hebrew month of Av started this past weekend. The Hebrew astrological sign for Av is the Lion — here is an example of how the lion is depicted in ancient times.

Of course,  as a symbol, the Lion — one of the most frequently mentioned animals in the Bible — plays a powerful role in Jewish tradition beyond the astrological symbol, and as such it figures frequently in the decoration of synagogues, Jewish gravestones, paper cuts, and other items.

(In the “mainstream” Zodiac, the Lion sign of Leo covers July 23-August 23 — and “World Lion Day” is marked August 10.)