Tiger

In Hindu mythology, a tiger or lion is the
animal vehicle of the powerful forms of
the Goddess, such as Durga. Modern
iconography shows both lions and tigers
with no apparent difference between
them, perhaps reflecting the fact that
the Hindi word sher can refer to either
animal. In either case, the fact that the
Goddess rides such a dangerous animal
is clearly a symbol of her power and
capacity, because in her mythology
these animals are often described as her
allies, doing battle on her part in
response to her command.