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“Below this scene, amid waving palms, a lion raises itself towards a group of white-robed monks standing on a loggia in their convent. The point may be to show that the order could withstand the assaults of the enemies of the faith, symbolized here by the lion. In the latin rule hunting is forbidden to the templars as being a frivolous occupation; the one exception is the lion since 'he goes around seeking whom he can devour' and 'his hand is against all, and the hand of all is against him.” — Malcolm Barber
Below this scene, amid waving palms, a lion raises itself towards a group of white-robed monks standing on a loggia in their convent. The point may be to show that the order could withstand the assaults of the enemies of the faith, symbolized here by the lion. In the latin rule hunting is forbidden to the templars as being a frivolous occupation; the one exception is the lion since 'he goes around seeking whom he can devour' and 'his hand is against all, and the hand of all is against him.