图中的狮子是18世纪炼金术相关插画本《Alchemical and Rosicrucian compendium》中的Leo Viribis(Leo是狮子的意思,而Viribis很有可能是来自拉丁单词vīs,意思为力量/暴力),其在中世纪炼金术中象征着“转化”;
The alchemical "green lion" devouring the sun relates to the experience of consciousness being overwhelmed by violent, frustrated desires (often masked by depression) (Fabricius 1976, p. 105).
心理学家玛丽-路易丝·弗兰丝(Marie-Louise von Franz)从心理学的角度把这只“吞噬太阳的绿色狮子“描述为“意识(太阳)被暴力与绝望(绿色狮子)所淹没”;