"The search begins"
Lion - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
Jalebi
The sweet Indian pastry, jalebi, symbolizes Saroo's suppressed childhood memories and the catalyst for his search. It represents a direct, sensory link to his past, his brother Guddu, and a life he had forgotten.
During a party with Indian friends in Melbourne, the sight and taste of jalebi trigger a powerful flashback, reawakening his dormant memories and initiating his obsessive quest to find his home. It's the moment his past breaks through into his present.
The Train
Trains are a dual symbol of both tragic separation and eventual connection. Initially, the train is the terrifying vessel that rips a young Saroo from his home and family, representing the uncontrollable forces that alter his life's trajectory. Later, his search involves meticulously tracing train lines on Google Earth, turning the symbol of his trauma into the map that leads him back home.
As a five-year-old, Saroo falls asleep on a decommissioned train that carries him to Calcutta, symbolizing his descent into being lost. As an adult, he spends countless hours on Google Earth following thousands of kilometers of railway tracks radiating from Calcutta, using the very thing that took him away to find his way back.
Google Earth
Google Earth symbolizes hope, the power of modern technology to connect humanity, and the relentless pursuit of memory. It represents the near-impossible made possible, a digital key to unlocking a forgotten past and bridging immense geographical and emotional distances.
After his friends suggest it, Saroo uses Google Earth as his primary tool. The film depicts his obsessive, painstaking virtual journey, scrolling across the vast Indian landscape for years, showcasing his determination and the technology's ability to facilitate a modern-day odyssey.
Butterflies
The yellow butterflies represent memory, transformation, and a beacon of hope. They are a specific, beautiful memory that helps Saroo pinpoint his home and symbolize his own metamorphosis from a lost boy to a man who has integrated both his past and present.
At the beginning of the film, young Saroo is shown in a field surrounded by a swarm of yellow butterflies. This vivid memory becomes a crucial landmark in his adult search, helping him locate his village on the map.
Lion
The title itself symbolizes Saroo's true identity and inner strength. It represents bravery, resilience, and the dignity he maintained even as a lost child. The discovery of his name's meaning is the final piece of his identity puzzle.
The significance is revealed at the very end of the film. After reuniting with his mother, Saroo learns that he had been mispronouncing his own name; his real name is "Sheru," which means "Lion." This revelation brings his journey of self-discovery to a powerful and fitting conclusion.
Philosophical Questions
What defines 'family' and 'home'?
The film constantly explores whether family is defined by blood (nature) or by upbringing and love (nurture). Saroo has two distinct families and homes. His journey is not about choosing one over the other, but about integrating both. The film's conclusion—that he can love both his biological and adoptive mothers without conflict—suggests that home is not a single place, but a complex emotional landscape built from both origin and experience.
Can one ever truly overcome the trauma of their past?
"Lion" suggests that while the past can be suppressed, it can never be erased. Saroo's seemingly happy and well-adjusted life in Australia is built on a foundation of unresolved trauma that eventually surfaces and demands to be addressed. His emotional turmoil during his search shows that confronting the past is painful but necessary for healing. The film proposes that overcoming trauma is not about forgetting, but about understanding and integrating one's history into their present identity to achieve wholeness.
How does technology reshape our relationship with memory and geography?
The film positions Google Earth as a revolutionary tool that changes the human experience of searching and remembering. Before such technology, Saroo's quest would have been impossible. The film shows technology acting as an extension of human memory, allowing Saroo to visually traverse the landscape of his mind and match it to the real world. It raises questions about how digital tools can help us reclaim lost histories and redefine our connection to places we can no longer physically access.
Core Meaning
At its core, "Lion" is a profound exploration of identity, the enduring power of hope, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Director Garth Davis crafts a narrative that questions the very definition of 'home'—is it the place of one's birth and blood ties, or the place where one is nurtured and loved? The film suggests that both are integral parts of a person's identity and can coexist. It powerfully conveys the message that one cannot escape their origins and that reconnecting with one's past is essential for achieving a sense of spiritual wholeness and resolving inner conflict. Furthermore, "Lion" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the extraordinary love between mothers and their children, transcending continents and decades of separation.