ROOTS, REGGAE, REBELLION History behind the rastafarian flag The symbol of the lion is connected to Haile Selassie, an emperor of of Ethiopia which symbolise who the Rastafarians worship as they leader, Rastafarians believe that Selassie’s heredity can be traced back to the Tribe of Judah, which itself used the lion as a symbol that's why the Rastafari's refer to him as the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The Lion of Judah was represented on the flag of Ethiopia from 1897 to 1974. Due to its association with Selassie, it continues to be an important symbol alongside members of the Rastafari movement. The current Rastafarian flag happens to be the old Ethiopian flag, that was used from 1897 to 1974, on which the symbol of the Lion of Judah proudly appears. This version of the Ethiopian flag is red, gold, green, and sometimes black, with the symbol of a crowned lion. · The color red is represented of the blood spilt in the name of freedom