The Nittany Lion is the official mascot and one of the most recognized symbols of Penn State University.
Where the Name Comes From
The name comes from Mount Nittany, a landmark that overlooks the State College area, and from the mountain lions (also called cougars) that once roamed central Pennsylvania.
History
- In 1904, Penn State student Harrison D. "Joe" Mason is credited with creating the Nittany Lion as Penn State's mascot.
- During a baseball game against Princeton, whose mascot was a Bengal tiger, Mason suggested that Penn State was represented by the stronger "Nittany Mountain Lion."
- The mascot quickly became a lasting symbol of Penn State pride.
The Nittany Lion Shrine
One of Penn State's most famous landmarks is the Nittany Lion Shrine, located on the University Park campus.
- Sculpted by Heinz Warneke in 1942.
- Considered one of the most photographed spots on campus.
- Students, alumni, and visitors often take graduation and family photos there.
The Mascot Today
- The costumed Nittany Lion appears at athletic events, alumni gatherings, THON, and other university activities.
- Penn State students audition each year for the honor of serving as the mascot.
- The mascot is known for energetic crowd interaction and school spirit.
Fun Facts
- The Nittany Lion mascot frequently ranks among the best college mascots in the United States.
- "We Are... Penn State!" cheers are often led by the Nittany Lion at games and events.
- The lion symbolizes strength, pride, loyalty, and tradition.
As a Penn State World Campus student, I'm part of a university community that shares this symbol with all Penn State campuses across the Commonwealth. 🦁💙🤍
The "dry bones" passage is found in Ezekiel 37:1-14, one of the most vivid and hopeful visions in Scripture.
The Vision
The prophet Ezekiel is taken by God into a valley filled with dry bones. The bones are scattered and completely dried out, symbolizing something long dead and beyond human hope. God asks Ezekiel:
"Son of man, can these bones live?" (Ezekiel 37:3)
Ezekiel wisely answers that only God knows.
God then instructs Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones. As he does, the bones come together, are covered with flesh, and finally receive breath, becoming a vast living army.
What the Bones Represent
God explains the meaning:
"These bones are the whole house of Israel." (Ezekiel 37:11)
At the time, Israel was in exile in Babylon. The people felt abandoned, defeated, and spiritually dead. They said:
"Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost."
The vision was God's promise that He would restore His people, bring them back to their land, and renew them spiritually.
Spiritual Lessons
1. God Brings Life Where There Is No Hope
The bones were not merely injured; they were dead and dry. This demonstrates that God can restore situations that appear completely hopeless.
2. The Word of God Has Power
Ezekiel speaks God's message, and the bones begin to move. God's Word is not merely information; it is life-giving and transformative.
3. The Breath Represents God's Spirit
The Hebrew word ruach can mean wind, breath, or spirit. The vision teaches that true life comes from God's Spirit, not merely outward restoration.
4. Restoration Is Both Physical and Spiritual
Israel would be physically restored to its homeland, but God also promised spiritual renewal. This points forward to the new covenant and God's work of changing hearts.
Christian Application
Many Christians see this passage as illustrating:
- Spiritual revival.
- God's ability to restore broken lives.
- The resurrection power of God.
- A foreshadowing of the final resurrection of believers.
Reflection
Given your interest in faith and Scripture, you might appreciate how this vision speaks to seasons when life feels stagnant or dreams seem lost. The message is not that the bones revived themselves, but that God spoke life into what appeared impossible. The emphasis is on God's power, faithfulness, and Spirit working where human strength has reached its limit.
A key verse is:
"I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live..." (Ezekiel 37:14)
That promise of God's Spirit bringing life remains one of the most encouraging themes in the entire book of Ezekiel.
While Ezekiel 37 is not about cats, cats can serve as a meaningful illustration of the passage's themes of life, restoration, and hope.
Here are a few connections you could make:
1. Cats and the Idea of "Coming Back to Life"
There's a common saying that cats have "nine lives." While not literally true, it reflects how cats sometimes survive situations that seem impossible.
You might say:
Like the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision, a cat rescued from neglect, injury, or abandonment can appear beyond hope. Yet with care and life breathed back into it, it can thrive again. This echoes God's power to restore what seems lost.
2. Rescue Stories as a Picture of Restoration
Many cat owners have stories about stray or sick cats that were transformed through love and care.
The dry bones passage reminds us that:
- God sees value where others see hopelessness.
- What looks beyond repair isn't beyond God's reach.
- Restoration often begins when someone responds to God's call, just as Ezekiel spoke God's word to the bones.
3. Breath and Life
In Ezekiel 37, the bones become living beings when God's breath enters them.
Anyone who has held a sleeping cat and listened to its gentle breathing can appreciate how breath signifies life. The vision highlights that every living creature depends on God's gift of life.
4. A Creative Reflection
If you're writing for your blog, you might use something like:
A pile of dry bones and a purring cat don't seem to have much in common. Yet both remind me that life is a gift from God. Ezekiel saw God bring life where there was none. Every time I watch a rescued cat stretch out in the sunshine, healthy and content, I'm reminded that God delights in restoration. He is still in the business of bringing beauty from brokenness and hope from places that seem dried up.
Because you enjoy weaving faith with everyday observations, a rescued or aging cat could make a gentle, relatable illustration of Ezekiel 37. The focus remains on God's power to restore life, while the cat provides a tangible picture of that restoration. 🐱🦴✨