Unlike most constellations in the Zodiac, the Leo, with the scythe (the inverted question mark) drawing a large head, can represent itself as its namesake which is a seated lion, similar to the Egyptian sphinx. Babylonians and other cultures in Southeast Asia associated the Lion with the Sun, because the summer solstice happened when he was in this part of the sky.
 
 It is of very ancient origin, having been identified as a lion by several ancestral cultures, and is therefore present in the mythology of different peoples throughout history. According to the most famous legend today, which comes from the Greco-Roman culture, it represents the Lion of Nemea, one of the mythical monsters killed by Hercules in his 12 works.
 
 Having a very resistant skin, which made him immune to any weapon, the mythological Lion was only defeated after several days of hand-to-hand combat, while Heracles choked him to death. Later, the hero started to use the animal's skin, as protection in the combat against other mythical creatures.