The Lizard King

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The Lizard King is a mythologic figure conceived of by Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors, placing himself as the central figure of the metaphor.

James Douglas Morrison, or Jim Morrison as he is most commonly referred to, was deeply interested by the metaphysical as interpreted in both modern and ancient times. He was both a Jungian, and deeply interested in Native American mysticism. Often, his words and actions were meant to provoke a sub-conscious reaction, believing the sub-conscious reacts to certain images and patterns. Onstage at his rock-and-roll concerts, he would imitate a Shaman, screaching, making animal sounds, taking mind-expanding drugs, and keeling over and either getting up laughing or playing dead before he awakes slowly, smiling wryly. Most Shamans became fascinated with one deity, often in Native American Shamanism a real animal, like the bear, crow or magpie. Jim Morrison was fascinated by the lizard. Morrison believed that the lizard embodied and symbolized a powerful force the sub-conscious mind, epitomizing all fear and longing in the psyche. His conception of the Lizard King has been interpreted by some as a recognition of a profound and transcendent spiritual reality, such as the achievement of nirvana by Buddha. But buddha-consciousness exists, the Lizard King doesn't exist. The Lizard King is meant allegorically. The symbol represents something dormant in all human beings and that which can be awoken by inward experience. The Lizard King isn't out there, it's within. It's beyond the metaphors of the world which we percieve through the archetypes of the sub-conscious mind. The Lizard King agitates like a Trickster Hero, but it's the Trickster Hero who is always the most cunning, and wise.

Seminal Morrison quote:

"I am the Lizard King, I can do anything!"