Griffin
creatureA legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, the griffin combined the king of beasts with the king of birds.
The Myth
Griffins were said to guard gold deposits in the mountains of Scythia and the Hyperborean lands. They built nests lined with gold nuggets and fiercely attacked anyone who tried to steal their treasure. The Arimaspians, a one-eyed people of the north, were their perpetual enemies. In Greek art, griffins appear as early as the Minoan period, often flanking thrones or guarding sacred objects. Apollo was said to ride a chariot pulled by griffins to and from Hyperborea. Their dual nature — part predator of the earth, part predator of the sky — made them symbols of divine power and vigilance.
Parents
Unknown — pre-Greek origin
Children
None recorded
Symbols
Fun Fact
Medieval heraldry adopted the griffin as a symbol of courage and boldness — it appears on countless coats of arms across Europe.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth: