Sign of Lion in Mamlūkid heraldry system

One of the most famous visual manifestations of Mamlūkid administration system is the symbolic use of motifs of animals, plants and everyday life tools as heraldry signs (rank; pl. Runūk) in various forms, among which the symbol of lion was used widely for the sultans, emirs and high rank officials. Historical evidences, conceptual framework, cultural context and developments of such uses of symbol of lion in Mamlūkid heraldry system are investigated in the present article. The author also suggests that it may be possible (or at least it is worth for studying) that some of uses of this symbol could be based on supposed talismanic power of this ancient symbol.