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The griffin, griffon, or gryphon (Ancient Greek: γρύψ, romanized: grýps; Classical Latin: grȳps or grȳpus; Late and Medieval Latin: gryphes, grypho etc.; Old French: griffon) is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion, and the head and wings of an eagle with its talons on the front legs.
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Learn about the griffin, a composite creature with a lion's body and an eagle's head, that originated in the ancient Middle East and spread to Greece. Find out its meaning, facts, and decorative motif in art and culture.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- What Is A Griffin?
- Characteristics
- Cultural Representation
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A griffin (or gryphon) is a chimeric creature, part eagle and part lion. With incredible strength, unfailing protective instincts, and a zero-tolerance policy against evil, it is the superhero of mythological creatures. No villain can mess with the griffin!
Physical Description
Griffins combined the best traits from the eagle (“king of the birds”) and the lion (“king of the beasts”). Their heads come from the eagle; they are coated in glossy feathers, usually brown or golden, and have dangerous, curved beaks. Two tufts of feathers spring up from their heads, representing a lion’s ears. At their shoulders, a pair of powerful, feathered wings emerge. Behind the wings, the feathers fade into tawny fur, and the lion’s body takes over. These beasts are usually drawn with...
Personality
The griffin is hailed as “the king of all creatures,” and it is has the right personality for its title: noble, fearsome, and above all else, protective. It will fight to the death to keep evil and corruption out of its territory. In some cases, the griffin’s “territory” might be a precious object, or even a living creature, rather than a piece of land. They are well-known for guarding treasures, sacred sites, and royal families. Their loyalty can also be seen in their mating habits; they cho...
Special Abilities
As you can probably imagine, the griffin is a terrible enemy in a fight. It has all the strength of a lion, and it can launch aerial attacks! Ancient historians claimed that this creature preyed on elephants and giraffes—so it made short work of human intruders. The griffin’s mighty body has magical properties as well. Alchemists and early physicians prized the beast’s claws and feathers, which could restore sight to the blind. Griffin eggs were also valuable. They were made into goblets and...
Origin
The first griffins crop up as sculptures in ancient Egypt and Iran, around 3000 BC. Much later, the “king of all creatures” melded into Greek culture. Frescos from the 1400 BC show the beast guarding Greek palaces. Later, Greek natural historians, including Pliny the Elder, attempted to describe the griffin’s form, habitat, and behavior. Eventually, the Greeks passed the griffin along to the Romans, who spread its legend throughout Europe. Meanwhile, the eastern cultures who first dreamt up t...
Medieval Lore
No medieval bestiary was complete without the griffin, king of all creatures. It was highly popular, both as a symbol and as a real creature, who could contribute to scientific advancement. Both Christians and Muslims seized upon the griffin as a religious symbol. Christians used the bird to reinforce Christ’s mandate against marriage, since the noble bird was said to mate for life. Griffins were often carved into churches, and in Dante’s Divine Comedygriffins were stationed at the entrance t...
Modern Appearances
Today, the griffin has been surrendered to the realm of fantasy, but it is still a popular figure there! The Percy JacksonI series, the Spiderwick Chronicles, and the Harry Potter series all welcome griffins into their cast of characters. Games like World of Warcraft and Dungeons and Dragonsalso allow players to test their skills against the mighty griffin!
A griffin is a chimeric creature, part eagle and part lion, with incredible strength, protective instincts, and a zero-tolerance policy against evil. Learn about its characteristics, personality, special abilities, cultural representation, and modern appearances in mythology, fantasy, and science.
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Jul 11, 2023 · Learn about the history, origins and symbolism of the griffin, a mythical creature with an eagle's head and a lion's body. Discover how the griffin was used in different cultures and art forms as a symbol of strength, power, authority, wealth and protection.
Mar 22, 2023 · Learn about the griffin, a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. Discover its etymology, appearance, abilities, and role in Greek and Indian mythology.
Dec 10, 2023 · Learn about the ancient origins, symbolism, and legacy of griffins, mythical creatures with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. Discover how griffins were portrayed in Greek art, literature, and Christian allegory, and how they differ from other hybrid beings.
Learn about the origins, symbolism, and depictions of griffins, mythical creatures with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. Griffins are associated with strength, courage, and wisdom, and have been featured in art, literature, and heraldry for centuries.
