Lyle’s Golden Syrup lovers have had their hearts broken after noticing a sad and distressing detail on the iconic tin as the brand announced its rebrand.
However, with news that the company, which has been a staple in supermarkets and British homes since 1885, is giving the packaging a makeover for the first time in over a century, fans are beginning to realise something about the logo.
Many people thought the lion in the white circle was sleeping, but it turns out he’s actually dead.
Back in 2018, a Reddit user asked: “Did anyone else know that the logo on Lyle’s Golden Syrup is an image of a lion carcass being used by bees to make honey?”
Turns out, they weren’t alone in their surprise as one person responded: “This is the most depressing thing I’ve learnt since I found out that the little piggy who went to market was not going on a shopping trip.”
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Another user added: “I did not know this. That’s pretty dark.” Yet another said: “I didn’t need to know this.”
Some people thought the lion on the syrup tin was alive, but surrounded by flies.
One person said: “Always thought they were flies, which was disturbing. This is slightly better and makes far more sense.”
But there’s no need to be sad, because the picture on the tin design is actually based on a well-known story from the Bible.
The man who made the syrup, Abram Lyle, chose the story of the Lion and the Bees from the Bible for his tin. In that story, Samson fights a lion with his hands.
Later, when he comes back to the lion, he sees bees have made a home in it and takes some honey and gives it to his family.
When they ask where he got it, he tells them: “Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.”
But the lion on the tin will change to just a bee soon, to match the Bible story, with Lyle’s revealing that the new look will start to appear this month on all their big bottles, little bottles, dessert sauces, and golden syrup tubs.
James Whiteley, who helps run Lyle’s Golden Syrup, shared: “We’re excited to unveil a fresh redesign for the Lyle’s Golden Syrup brand.
“For a century and a half, Lyle’s has added flavour and fun to the breakfast table and in foods that the whole family love, bringing a delicious dose of absolutely golden magic to any moment.”
