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The lions in The Old Man And The Sea are a symbol of Santiago's youth. For example Santiago only dreams of the lions because he feels they bring back when he was a strong young man in Africa who caught fish. Santiago only dreams about the lions because they are his memories. “He only dreamed of places now and of the lions on the beach." Page 41. The lions are Santiago when he was young, they would hunt like he hunted fish and the lions would play like he played as a boy. He focuses on the lions for his dreams because when he sees them he sees all his memories and all the fish he caught when he was young, they bring him him strength to keep on fighting for the marlin. For Santiago the lions are what keep him fishing as well as baseball. Therefore the lions are a symbol of memories for Santiago to keep him feeling strong and courageous when he goes after the marlin.