Griffin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Griffin

Restored griffin fresco. —In the Throne Room, Palace of Knossos, Crete, original from Bronze Age
Grouping	Mythical creature
Other name(s)	Axex, Opinici, Keythong

The griffin is a famous legendary creature from ancient stories. It has the strong body, tail, and back legs of a lion. Its head and wings are like those of a powerful eagle, and its front legs have sharp eagle talons.

Discovering the Majestic Griffin

Falcon-headed feline predator or "griffin" from ancient Egypt, around 3000 BC.

People have always seen the griffin as a very powerful and grand creature. This is because the lion is known as the king of animals, and the eagle is the king of birds. For thousands of years, griffins were famous for guarding valuable treasures and important items.

Ancient Greek and Roman writers often connected griffins with gold mines in Central Asia. Early stories from writers like Herodotus (around 450 BC) mentioned griffins. Some thought they might not have wings, calling them "silent hounds of Zeus."

Later, Pliny the Elder (in the 1st century AD) clearly described griffins as having wings and long ears. Another writer, Apollonius of Tyana, thought they had webbed feet for short flights, not true bird wings. An interesting idea that came later was that griffins placed agate stones in their nests with their eggs.

Ancient writers placed griffins in different faraway lands, like Ethiopia and India. Some scholars believe that stories about "gold-digging ants" in India might have mixed with griffin legends. In later times, a writer named Isidore of Seville (around 600 AD) said that griffins were big enemies of horses. This idea might have come from tales of people on horseback trying to steal the griffins' gold.

Understanding the Griffin's Name

Where the Name "Griffin" Comes From

Griffin on an ancient silver coin from Abdera, Thrace (around 450-430 BC).

The exact origin of the word "griffin" is a bit of a mystery. It might come from the Greek word grypos, which means 'curved' or 'hooked'. This could refer to the griffin's hooked beak. Some think it might even be linked to an ancient word from a Semitic language, similar to the Hebrew word for a Cherub.

Persian Names for the Griffin

A griffin (Shirdal) on an ancient silver cup from Iran.

In modern Persian language, the griffin is often called šērdāl, which means 'lion-eagle'. This name perfectly describes the creature's mix of a lion and an eagle. Ancient Iranian names for similar creatures, like Sēnmurw, might also be related to the griffin. This Sēnmurw is thought to be an ancestor of the famous simurgh, a mythical bird in later Persian stories.

Ancient Egyptian Names for the Griffin

In ancient Egypt, griffins were given descriptive names. One name was tesh-tesh, meaning "Tearer[-in-pieces]," found on a griffin image in a tomb. Another name was sfr or srf, meaning "fiery one." These names show how people saw the griffin as a fierce and powerful beast.

What a Griffin Looks Like

A bronze griffin statue from the Roman period (50–270 AD).

Most statues and drawings of griffins show them with the front legs and sharp talons of a bird, like an eagle. However, some older pictures show them with the front legs of a lion. They always have the strong back body of a lion. The griffin's eagle head usually has noticeable ears, which are sometimes long and feathered, like a horse's ears.

Griffins in Ancient Art

Griffin seal impression from Susa, Iran (4th millennium BC).

Griffins have appeared in art for thousands of years, across many ancient cultures.

Mesopotamian Griffin Art

Griffin-like creatures were carved on cylinder seals in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BC. These early images sometimes showed winged lions with beaks. Later, in the Akkadian Empire, lion-griffins were shown pulling chariots for gods and even breathing fire! Bronze artworks from Luristan in Iran also feature both bird-headed and lion-headed griffins.

Egyptian Griffin Art

The oldest known picture of a griffin-like animal in Ancient Egyptian art is a carving from before 3000 BC. It appears on a cosmetic palette from Hierakonpolis, showing these creatures were important in early Egyptian culture.

Greek Griffin Art

A Minoan ring with a female figure and a griffin from Crete (1700–1450 BC).

A bronze griffin head fragment from Olympia, Greece (7th century BC).

Griffin-like animals were seen in the art of ancient Crete around 1650 BC. Famous examples include frescoes in the Throne Room of the Palace of Knossos. The griffin became very popular in Greek art around 700 BC, often appearing on bronze cauldrons.

Central Asian Griffin Art

In Central Asia, griffin images were part of Scythian art from the 6th to 4th centuries BC. These artworks often show griffins attacking horses, deer, and goats. Ancient stories say that nomads would try to steal gold guarded by griffins in these regions.

Similar Mythical Creatures

Many ancient myths feature creatures similar to the griffin:

• The Lamassu from ancient Assyria was a protective spirit with a bull or lion's body, eagle's wings, and a human head.
• In Sumerian stories, the demon Anzu was half-man, half-bird, linked to storms and thunder.
• Jewish mythology has the Ziz, a giant bird similar to Anzu and the Greek Phoenix. The Bible mentions the Ziz.
• The Minoan Genius in ancient Crete was another creature similar to the griffin.
• In Hinduism, Garuda is a large, bird-like creature that serves as the mount for the god Vishnu.

Ancient Stories of Griffins

Greek Tales of the Gryphon

The Greek writer Aristeas (7th century BC) traveled to Central Asia and gathered local stories about the gryps, or griffin. His tales were later shared by Herodotus and Aeschylus. They described griffins as living north of the one-eyed Arimaspi people, who tried to steal the griffins' gold. The Arimaspians would ride horses to take the gold, and the griffins would chase them. Aeschylus even called griffins "silent hounds of Zeus," which made some people wonder if they were wingless.

Griffins in India and Gold-Digging Ants

Another writer, Ctesias, placed griffins in India and clearly described them as four-legged birds with beaks. Interestingly, Herodotus also wrote about "gold-collecting ants" in Kashmir. Some scholars think these stories might have mixed together, influencing later descriptions of griffins.

Pliny the Elder and Later Writers

Pliny the Elder (1st century AD) was the first to clearly state that griffins had wings and long ears. He also said they laid eggs in burrows, and these nests contained gold nuggets. Another writer, Apollonius of Tyana, had a different idea, saying griffins were lion-sized with webbed feet for short flights, not true wings. Later writers, like Aelian, added details such as griffins having black feathers on their backs, red chests, and white wings. A unique idea that appeared later was that griffins laid "agate eggs."

Griffins and Ancient Gods

Griffins were often linked to various gods in Greek myths. They were especially connected to Apollo, the god of music and light. It was believed that Apollo rode a griffin to a mythical land called Hyperborea every winter. Griffins were also sometimes shown pulling the chariot of Dionysus, the god of wine.

Griffins in the Middle Ages

A soldier fighting a griffin in a medieval book (1284).

Stone carvings of griffins from Serbia (11th-12th century).

A medieval tapestry from Basel, Switzerland (around 1450 AD), featuring a griffin.

During the Middle Ages, the griffin continued to be a popular and powerful symbol. Isidore of Seville (around 600 AD) described griffins as fierce, winged four-legged beasts that were enemies of horses and could tear men to pieces. He placed them in the Hyperborean Mountains. The idea that griffins hated horses might have come from the old stories of horse-riding people trying to steal their gold.

Christian Symbolism of Griffins

In Christianity, the griffin became a symbol of Jesus. This was because the griffin combines an eagle (a creature of the sky) and a lion (a creature of the earth), representing Jesus being both divine (godly) and human. Many churches even have griffin sculptures.

Mysterious Griffin Relics

People in the Middle Ages believed that griffin claws, eggs, and feathers had special powers. However, these "relics" were usually from other exotic animals. For example, "griffin eggs" were often ostrich eggs or even dinosaur fossils! "Griffin claws" were sometimes made from Alpine ibex horns and turned into drinking cups. These items were highly valued and often decorated.

Medieval Art and Griffins

Byzantine silk with griffins from the 11th century, now in Sion, Switzerland.

By the 12th century, the griffin's appearance in art was quite clear: it had a lion's body and an eagle's wings and head. Griffins appeared on many fancy objects, like textiles, across different cultures, including Byzantine, Western European, and Islamic art.

Griffin Folklore

According to old stories, a griffin's claw was thought to have healing powers. It was also believed that one of its feathers could restore sight to the blind. This idea appears in some Italian folktales, where a griffin's feather helps someone who cannot see.

Griffins in Heraldry

A heraldic griffin passant of the Bevan family crest.

Griffin wearing the mural crown of Perugia, Italy (13th century).

Coat of arms of Pomerania.

Coat of arms of Szczecin, Poland.

Gryf coat of arms, used since around 1481.

Coat of arms of Crimea.

Heraldry is the study of coats of arms and symbols. In heraldry, griffins are usually shown with a lion's back body, an eagle's head with upright ears, a feathered chest, and an eagle's front legs with claws.

A heraldic griffin often represents "strength, military courage, and leadership." It also became a Christian symbol of divine power and a guardian. Griffins can be shown in different poses. In British heraldry, a griffin is described as segreant when it is standing on one leg with its wings spread, similar to a lion being rampant.

Sometimes, a "male griffin" is shown without wings, covered in spikes, and with a small tusk on its forehead. This type is sometimes called a keythong.

Cities and Families Using the Griffin

Many cities and noble families have used the griffin as their symbol:

• The city of Genoa in Italy, a major seafaring power, used griffins on its coat of arms.
• A red griffin was the coat of arms for the dukes of Pomerania and is still used today in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland.
• The Gryf coat of arms has been a symbol for the Gryfit family since the 15th century.

Different Types of Griffins

Wingless Griffin

Sometimes, a griffin is shown without wings. This wingless eagle-headed lion might be called an alke, a keythong, or a male griffin in heraldry.

Sea-Griffin

The sea-griffin has the head and front legs of a griffin, but the tail of a fish or a mermaid. These appear on the arms of some German noble families.

Opinicus

The opinicus is another type of griffin with an eagle's head and wings, a lion's body and legs, and a camel's tail. It is rarely used in heraldry.

Griffins in Architecture

The Pisa Griffin, in the Pisa Cathedral Museum, 11th century.

Statue of a griffin at St Mark's Basilica, Venice.

The Pisa Griffin is a large bronze sculpture from the 11th century, originally from Islamic Spain. It stood on the roof of Pisa Cathedral in Italy for centuries and is now in the Cathedral Museum. It is the largest known medieval Islamic bronze sculpture.

In buildings, griffins are often used as decorations. They are usually shown as four-footed beasts with wings and an eagle's head, sometimes with horns.

The statues at the entrance to the City of London are often mistaken for griffins. However, they are actually (Tudor) dragons, which are symbols on the city's coat of arms. You can tell them apart because dragons have leathery, membranous wings, not feathered ones like griffins.

Griffins in Fiction

Griffins are very popular in fantasy stories and games.

• In Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, a griffin pulls a chariot in Earthly Paradise.
• Sir John Mandeville wrote about griffins in his 14th-century travel book, saying they were stronger than eight lions and could carry a horse to their nest.
• John Milton mentioned griffins in his epic poem Paradise Lost.
• In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Alice meets a Gryphon.
• Griffins appear in the Harry Potter series, with Albus Dumbledore having a griffin-shaped door knocker.
• They are also found in games like Warhammer Fantasy Battle, Warcraft, and Heroes of Might and Magic.
• In My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, griffins are a featured species.
• The The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros features griffins as mounts for fliers.

Theories About Griffin Origins

Possible Influence by Dinosaurs

Early stories of the gryphon describe the area of the Dzungarian Gate, where Protoceratops and Psittacosaurus skeletons are common.

Some experts, like folklorist Adrienne Mayor, suggest that ancient Greeks might have imagined griffins after seeing fossils of beaked dinosaurs. These fossils, like those of Protoceratops and Psittacosaurus, are common in Central Asia, where ancient Scythian gold prospectors traveled.

The theory is that these ancient travelers saw dinosaur skeletons with beaks and nests with eggs. They might have described these strange finds to the Greeks. The bony frill on a Protoceratops skull might have been mistaken for large ears, and the beak would suggest a bird-like creature. This could have led to artists adding wings to match the bird-like features.

However, other paleontologists, like Mark P. Witton, disagree. They point out that hybrid creatures with bird heads and mammal bodies appeared in art long before the Greeks knew about these fossils. They also argue that griffin descriptions are based on living animals like lions and eagles, and that ancient accounts describe griffins as living creatures, not old bones.

Griffins in Modern Culture

Popular Fiction

Griffins are very common in fantasy stories. You can find them in:

• Warhammer Fantasy Battle
• Warcraft
• Heroes of Might and Magic
• Dungeons & Dragons
• Ragnarok Online
• Harry Potter
• The Spiderwick Chronicles
• My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
• The Battle for Wesnoth
• Fairy tales like "Jack the Giant Killer" and "The Griffin".
• In the Digimon series, there's a Digimon called Gryphomon.
• In Rick Riordan's The Son of Neptune, griffins attack the main characters.

Modern Art

Gustave Moreau's painting "The Fairy and the Gryphons" (1876).

"Griff" Statue in Budapest, Hungary (2007).

Griffins also appear in modern art. For example, Gustave Moreau's painting "The Fairy and the Gryphons" (1876) shows these creatures. The Philadelphia Museum of Art uses the griffin as its symbol, with bronze statues on its roof.

Logos and Mascots

Company Logos

• The logo for Iran Air features a griffin, based on a statue found in Persepolis.
• Companies like United Paper Mills, Vauxhall Motors, and Scania (and its former partners Saab Group and Saab Automobile) use griffins in their logos.
• Midland Bank (now HSBC) also used a griffin in its logo until the mid-1990s.

School Emblems and Mascots

The Gryphon is the emblem and mascot of the University of Guelph.

Many schools and universities use the griffin as their emblem or mascot:

• Trinity College, Oxford
• VU University Amsterdam
• Reed College
• Sarah Lawrence College
• University of Guelph
• Canisius College
• Raffles Institution
• Purdue University
• College of William and Mary
• Wycliffe College
• St Mary's College
• Glebe Collegiate Institute
• Chestnut Hill College
• Gwynedd Mercy University
• Leadership High School
• Glenlyon Norfolk School

Police and Military

Yellow griffin in the logo of the Estonian Internal Security Service.

Flag of the Utti Jaeger Regiment of the Finnish Army.

Griffins are also used in the emblems of police and military units:

• The Waterloo Police Department (Iowa)
• The Royal Air Force Police
• The Royal New Zealand Air Force Police
• The Greek 15th Infantry Division

Professional Sports

• The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional ice hockey team.
• Suwon Samsung Bluewings, a soccer team, has a griffin mascot named "Aguileon" (meaning "eagle-lion" in Spanish).
• AC Perugia, an Italian soccer club, features a griffin on its crest.

Amusement Parks

• Busch Gardens Williamsburg has a dive coaster called the "Griffon."
• Cedar Point Amusement Park has a roller coaster called "GateKeeper" with a griffin mascot.

Griffins in Film and Television

Griffins have appeared in many movies and TV shows:

• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
• Animated series like My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, World of Quest, Yin Yang Yo!, and Family Guy.
• The 1974 film The Golden Voyage of Sinbad featured a griffin fighting a centaur.
• In the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Dr. Sheldon Cooper jokingly mentions trying to create a griffin.

Griffin Namesakes

Animal Names

Some large species of Old World vultures are called griffins, such as the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus). The scientific name for the Andean condor is Vultur gryphus, which means "griffin-vulture" in Latin.

Vehicles

• The Gripen fighter jet, produced by the Saab Group, is named after the griffin.
• During World War II, the German Heinkel He 177 bomber was named Greif, the German word for "griffin."

Images for kids

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  Griffin in Johann Vogel: Meditationes emblematicae de restaurata pace Germaniae, 1649

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  Heraldic guardian griffin at Kasteel de Haar, Netherlands, 1892–1912

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  Rogue taxidermy griffin, Zoological Museum, Copenhagen

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  A griffin portrayed in a mythical land located south of the world's known continents, from Urbano Monti's map (1587).

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  UPM (company) Finnish forest industry company. Symbol came into use in 1899.

See also

In Spanish: Grifo para niños

• Chimera, Greek mythological hybrid monster
• Duck billed platypus, an egg-producing mammal with a beak
• Hybrid creatures in mythology
• List of hybrid creatures in mythology
• Nue, Japanese legendary creature
• Pegasus, winged stallion in Greek mythology
• Pixiu or Pi Yao, Chinese mythical creature
• Sharabha, Hindu mythology: lion-bird hybrid
• Snow Lion, Tibetan mythological celestial animal
• Yali, Hindu mythological lion-elephant-horse hybrid