I have tried in vain to find some meaning to this. Presumably there is something symbolic about a lion with a key in its mouth, as there is a similar one in Stalybridge. The back of the old five pound notes at one time showed a lion with a key, although the key was attached to its mouth by a chain. Perhaps someone reading this can offer an answer?
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A close-up of the lion can be seen in the photo below.
See Google Street View of this location.
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I'm not sure about the key yet, but the lion as it appears on the pound note is a symbol of Great Britain, it often appears together with Britannia (who was on the front of the note). So I would assume that this is the case for your lion as well. I'll let you know if I find out about the key.
ReplyDeleteIs that a key in his mouth or is he really glad to see you?
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
This is so cool! I love the close-up and I love a mystery. Maybe next year you will have an answer for us all as to why that key is in the lion's mouth!
ReplyDeleteApparently the lion's head holding a key is a Victorian symbol designed to impress wrongdoers with the power and dignity of the law.
ReplyDeleteThis lion doesn't look very friendly ! and what an enormous key !
ReplyDeleteI prefer grilled chicken !
Gattina
ABC Team
I wanted to sign
ReplyDeleteGattina
ABC team
and had forgotten that I had copied this chicken sentence before, lol sorry !
I don't do the ABC posts but I have recently started to show off the beauties of the South Shropshire Hills on My World.There are so many beautiful places in the UK that should be shown.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I don't know Ashton, as for the key: there are many lion door knockers, could it be a symbol for a guardian?
The key is different from the 1980's picture
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tameside.gov.uk/images/jpgl/t01581.jpg
Cool!!!
ReplyDeleteWould imagine the lion symbolizes strength, the key security.none of which would apply these days.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know what the lion with a key on the mouth really means; in my own opinion I think it symbolized something that is deeper than our thoughts or maybe, the strength is the key; sort of I’m just not sure about it.
ReplyDelete