supernatural beings research

Griffins

Griffin, also spelled griffon or gryphon, composite mythological creature with a lion's body (winged or wingless) and a bird's head, usually that of an eagle. The griffin was a favourite decorative motif in the ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean lands. Probably originating in the Levant in the 2nd millennium BCE, the griffin had spread throughout western Asia and into Greece by the 14th century BCE. The Asiatic griffin had a crested head, whereas the Minoan and Greek griffin usually had a mane of spiral curls. It was shown either recumbent or seated on its haunches, often paired with the sphinx; its function may have been protective.

In the Iron Age the griffin was again prominent in both Asia and Greece. Greek metalworkers evolved a handsome stylized rendering, the beak open to show a curling tongue and the head provided with horses' ears and a large knob on top. Apparently the griffin was in some sense sacred, appearing frequently in sanctuary and tomb furnishings. Its precise nature or its place in cult and legend remains unknown.

Throughout the centuries, the most common description of a griffin has been that of a creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. But additional and sometimes conflicting depictions abound. Griffins might have the head of a hawk or falcon, instead of an eagle. They might, in some cases, be wingless. Sometimes they were depicted with lion's body, forelimbs, and hindquarters, but other times they were assigned the front legs and talons of an eagle. Most had elongated ears which stood upright, like those of a horse, but sometimes these ears were feathered or even rounded and floppy. On its neck and chest, the griffin might bear either feathers or the mane of a lion, but in either instance fur covered its body, often brown or black in color, while wings and feathers might be mottled, white, or even blue. Their tails most often appeared akin to a lion's, but occasionally a feathered or serpentine appendage might show up. All these elements, coupled with fiery eyes and massive size (one claw of a griffin was said to be the size of a cow's horn), made the griffin intimidating in appearance.

As with many mythic creatures, certain parts of the griffin were believed to possess medicinal qualities—the claw would detect poison and change color thereby protecting the bearer from illness or death, the feather would heal blindness. Because of the belief in the powers of these objects, antelope horns were sold as griffin claws, ostrich eggs as griffin eggs, and so forth, all commanding a princely price. For the most part, legends portray the griffin as a uniquely powerful and majestic creature, and it symbolized courage, boldness, and intelligence. As a blending of the king of the earthly beasts and the king of the aerial creatures, many accounts talk of the griffin having dominion over earth and sky. Such allusion also ties into the symbolism that became prevalent during the medieval era—the griffin as a representation of Christ (the lion representing the man and the eagle, the divine). Though such an analogy falls short, due to it, griffins found their place decorating churches of the era.

Quick facts:

Unswerving dedication to their mates ran so strong in griffins, that if one died, the remaining griffin would never take another mate.

Due to their attraction to gold, griffins became legendary as guards of hidden treasure.

Some legends claim only female griffins have wings.

Griffins appear in the artwork of the Babylonians, Assyrians, and other ancient cultures. In addition, though none claimed eyewitness accounts, many historic records discussed griffins, though they suggest different origins (India, Ethiopia, or mountainous regions in Asia). They also make a showing in Greek and Roman mythology. Some theories suggest they were created due to a natural association between eagles and lions (both regal and powerful in their own realms), but regardless of who first invented the creatures, their origins are ancient and their appearances in hundreds of years of history, oral tradition, and literature frequent. Drawing closer to modern day, they make a showing in some of Grimm's Fairy Tales, such as The Griffin, in which the griffin portrayed is hostile to humans, but wise, possessing answers to the most obscure questions, and in The Singing, Springing Lark, where a griffin provides a ride to a woman in search of her husband, as well as numerous novels.

By nearly all accounts the griffin was a majestic, and sometimes terrifying, creature. Even when depicted as smaller (approximately the size of a normal lion), their strength exceeded that of a natural animal many times over. Their friendliness to humans was questionable, and their size and strength great enough to easily carry off a grown man as prey. Due to their association with gold and hidden treasure, they were sought after by humans, despite the danger...and some claim, made extinct by this hunting, or chased into obscure mountain regions where they could live in peace. Though now regulated to the realm of myth and legend, they have proved one of the more enduring mythic creatures and still capture people's interest to this day.