The Lion and Tusk was the main logo of the British South Africa Company (BSAC) and later as a state symbol of Rhodesia.

Following the company relinquishing control of Northern and Southern Rhodesia, the symbol fell out of favour with the Rhodesian public.

The Lion and Tusk was adopted as a corporate insignia of the British South Africa Company following it receiving a Royal Charter allowing it to fly its own flag.

[4] Following the announcement of a republic in 1970, the Lion and Tusk was selected as the symbol to replace the Royal St Edward's Crown on Rhodesian insignia.

This came after discussions for the RhAF symbol considered using either the Zimbabwe bird, flame lily or an elephant before deciding overwhelmingly for the Lion and Tusk.