Griffin
Revered in various mythologies, this legendary creature boasts the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. It is known for guarding treasures and symbolizes strength and vigilance.
At a glance
- Kind
- Griffin lineage
- Trait family
- The Fore-Knowing
- Kin
- Hippogriff (derived from this figure)
Kinship
Lines of descent added by hand and approved one at a time.
- Hippogriff derived from this figure
why
The Hippogriff was introduced by Ludovico Ariosto in his epic Orlando Furioso as the offspring of a griffin and a mare, a deliberate play on the old proverb, going back to Virgil, that crossing griffins with horses was the very image of impossibility.
Near this figure
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Eagle bears image-domain The eagle denotes sovereign ascent and solar majesty, flying highest of birds, messenger of heaven and emblem of empire, renewing itself in fire and sun.
why
Revered in various mythologies, this legendary creature boasts the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.
- Lion bears The lion is ambivalent: solar majesty, courage, justice, guardianship, and resurrection coexist with lunar maternity, cruelty, war, destructive heat, and death.
why
Revered in various mythologies, this legendary creature boasts the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Lion eagle composite
why
With the body of a lion, symbolizing strength and courage, and the head and wings of an eagle, representing keen vision and freedom, the Griffin embodies the best qualities of both the king of beasts and the king of birds.
- Hybrid of multiple animals
why
With the body of a lion, symbolizing strength and courage, and the head and wings of an eagle
Behaviour
- Treasure guardian
why
In various mythologies, the Griffin is revered as a guardian of treasures, both material and spiritual.
- Messenger between mortal and divine realms
why
Its ability to traverse both the earthly realm (as a lion) and the heavenly domain (as an eagle) makes it a powerful mediator between the mortal and divine worlds.
Emblems
- Heraldic badge beast
why
This unique position has led to the Griffin being associated with wisdom, justice, and nobility, often appearing in heraldry and as a symbol of royalty or religious authority.
Utility powers
- Keen eyesight
why
Its vigilance is unmatched, with its eagle eyes capable of spotting the slightest movement from great distances, while its powerful lion's body provides the strength to ward off any would-be thieves or intruders.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Earth meets
3 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Griffin."
- Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, A Complete Guide to Heraldry, p. 318.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Griffin."
- Hero meets
3 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Griffin."
- Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, A Complete Guide to Heraldry, p. 318.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Griffin."