

When I start my imac using the option key, I can see my usb external hdd containing os x Lion, but when I select it to start with, I immediately get a prohibitory sign and the machine switching off.

Currently I have installed El Capitan and that is fine with me! However the point is: "Why this powerful machine does not allow me to run os x 10.7.5 residing on an external hdd?". I gathered from the apple customer support and from the internet at large that on my imac late 2012 I can install only Mountain Lion (this is the os x it was shipped with in the first place) of above. Why cant' I install/use os x 10.7.5 (Lion) on a late 2012 imac?
