A lion represents strength, power, and royalty. Many rulers over many centuries have used lions as an animal of pride. Babylon was an especially good kingdom that used them and even used them in executions to make the people fear them. A lion is a predator and so it makes the kingdom seem strong willed and dangerous as well as somehow holy. England used the lion as a symbol of Christ and just like the Greeks put Medusas' head on their soldiers' shields, England put the lion on the coat of arms as a symbol of protection, might, and yet again, royalty and a symbol of fear to a warring country.
Connotation is an idea or feeling that a word evokes. If something has a positive connotation, it will evoke warm feelings. Meanwhile, something with a negative connotation will make someone feel less than pleasant.
