What animal is on the emblem of Great Britain?

The animal commonly shown on the emblem and heraldic symbols of Great Britain is the lion. The lion has long represented royal power, courage, and sovereignty across British heraldry, especially through the arms associated with England and the British monarchy.

The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom includes three gold lions, traditionally described heraldically as “lions passant guardant,” in the quarters representing England. Scotland is represented by a red lion, while the arms also include symbols associated with Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom. The lion is therefore strongly linked with Britain, although the exact emblem depends on which national or royal symbol is meant.

A common mix-up is the unicorn, which appears as the Scottish supporter on the Royal Coat of Arms. Another is the bulldog, a later popular symbol of British national character. In standard trivia usage, however, “lion” is the canonical answer to this question.