Art

Despite this being a very simple image, it was technically rather problematic due to the grass and lion's mane.  I had to compromise on lighting a bit …

Despite this being a very simple image, it was technically rather problematic due to the grass and lion's mane.  I had to compromise on lighting a bit in order to render it at all; the mane REALLY doesn’t like ray-traced shadows (its a bit of clunky model tp be honest).  After 5 crashes I gave up and have used a deep map instead....

So to the image itself…  Animal strength and passion (the lion) willingly submits to strength of will and character (the woman).  She wears white as a symbol of purity. Traditionally she has a crown and bodice of roses expressing nature and transience; I’ve changed this to jewellery with a red rose motif, as well as the dress' waistband.  

The card usually shows a lemniscate symbol above the woman, as in the Magician, referencing mastery of consciousness.  I’ve turned this into jewellery too, so she wears a pendant with the worm Oroboros, which is also an infinity symbol.

The mountains in the background have similar symbology to that in the Lovers card, of contrast and separation (appropriately, this is Ngoro Ngoro crater, so the lion feels at home!).

DS3, with the mane tweaked in CS2 to avoid the poor lion looking like Donald Trump!