Identify car emblem lions by focusing on silhouette, posture, and specific brand characteristics. Here's a breakdown:
I. Heraldic Standing Lions (Common)
- Peugeot: The most prevalent. Features a stylized, heraldic lion standing upright on its hind legs (lion rampant). Profile faces left. Modern emblems are minimalist, chrome silhouettes. Appears on models across their range (e.g., 208, 308, 3008).
- Lion-Peugeot (Historic): Predecessor to Peugeot. Shows a lion walking horizontally (lion passant), often within a shield or facing right. Found only on vintage vehicles.
II. Leaping/Springing Lions (Less Common)
- Holden (Historic - Australia): Depicted a lion standing over a stone, paw resting on it. Distinctive posture different from Peugeot's rampant lion. Used until the brand's discontinuation.
- Certain Chinese Manufacturers: Some Chinese brands use lion-inspired emblems, often resembling a crouching or roaring lion face. These vary significantly and require brand-specific knowledge.
Key Identification Features
- Silhouette: Is the lion standing upright (Peugeot), walking horizontally (Historic Lion-Peugeot), or in a crouched posture?
- Leg Position: Rampant = upright hind legs (Peugeot). Passant = walking with one front paw raised (Historic Lion-Peugeot).
- Direction: Which direction is the profile facing? Modern Peugeot faces left.
- Detail Level: Modern Peugeot uses a simple chrome outline. Vintage/historical emblems often featured more detailed art or relief.
Important Considerations
- Peugeot Dominance: If you see a modern car with a lion emblem, especially upright, facing left, it's overwhelmingly likely a Peugeot.
- Holden: Only relevant for pre-2021 Australian/New Zealand vehicles.
- Aftermarket/Imitation: Non-factory badges often exist. Check emblem fitment quality and compare to known manufacturer designs.
In summary: For modern vehicles, an upright lion facing left signifies Peugeot. A walking lion (passant) indicates a historic Lion-Peugeot. The distinctive leaping Holden lion is defunct. Beware of variations in aftermarket or niche manufacturers.
