In the Royal Presence

White fur, blue eyes whose depth touches the heart… the power of the present moment. Sacred, breathtaking. A truly royal encounter. That is what the first – and in fact every – meeting with white lions in the wild bush feels like. For me, it is always an experience filled with reverence, love, and a pure childlike wonder.

The role of lions – and predators in general – in the landscape is irreplaceable. As apex predators, they keep herds healthy and ecosystems in balance by hunting the weak and the sick.

The white lion (just like other white animals – the white bison, elephant, wolf, or spirit bear) adds yet another dimension to this story. For many cultures, it is a symbol of the bond between humans and nature, of harmony and unity. A reminder that strength and justice can walk hand in hand with beauty and dignity.

Any lion is a magnificent and majestic creature, a symbol of power and an embodiment of the values of the heart. The white lion, however, is seen as a symbol of the stars and of star ancestors. Because of their white coats they are often mistaken for albinos, yet in reality they represent a rare genetic variation. Their snow-white fur is caused by leucism – a rare genetic trait that limits the deposition of pigment. Their eyes remain naturally colored (green, blue, or amber), and their nose and paw pads are dark. Albinism, on the other hand, is a complete absence of melanin throughout the body, usually visible in the pink to reddish hue of the eyes.

It is said that wherever the white lion leaves a footprint, a trace of balance remains. For the indigenous peoples of Africa, white lions are a sacred sign. They are a symbol of the bond between humans and nature, a message of harmony and unity. For the Zulu, Tsonga, and Xhosa tribes they embody the ancestors, star messengers, or a divine gift. According to traditional African teachings, they descended from the stars to remind humans of the importance of remembering their light essence – to step down from the head (EGO) into the heart (ECO).

Lions – like all of nature and all animals – are a mirror in which we can recognize our own values: courage, strength, and the ability to live in balance. The gaze of a white lion reminds us of what is at stake. Because of their uniqueness, they have been – and still are – hunted, kept in captivity, and exploited in the entertainment industry. In the wild today, their numbers are so few they could be counted on the fingers of hands. This is a metaphor for our relationship with the world: if we treat nature only as a resource to exploit, we lose what is most precious – relationship, balance… and a place to live.

The good news? Change begins with each of us. It’s not about perfection, but about direction. It starts with a single habit. One sustainable choice that replaces a piece of wasteful consumption can, when multiplied, have a tremendous impact.

Can we go further? Yes. We can share the story of the white lions, support the protection of their habitat, learn to see nature with greater reverence, and live in harmony with her. By protecting nature, we are protecting the story of unity between humanity and the Earth.