The lion doesn't earn the crown—it takes it. Doesn't request respect—commands it. Every culture that understood power carved lions into thrones, stamped them on shields, painted them above gates. Solar symbol. Divine kingship. The kind of authority that doesn't need to justify itself.
You don't follow a lion. You either lead beside it or get out of its way.
You wear the lion when you're done waiting to be chosen. When you're ready to claim what's yours and defend it without apology. When you understand that sovereignty isn't granted—it's seized by those strong enough to hold it.
