Griffin-D'Apollonio

//__**Greek Mythology:**__////__**The Griffin**__// toc

__**Intro:**__
The Griffin can be found in numerous places in the past and present. It is a very common Greek mythological character and for the most part, can be easily identified by most people. The Griffin, also known as the Gryphon or Gryphus in Latin, has made its appearance in many movies and pieces of literature. In the following paragraphs, you will learn about the Griffin's appearance, where it originated, some myths the Griffin appears in, how it is used symbolically, and much more.

__**What Does the Griffin Look Like?:**__
The Griffin is most commonly shown with the head of an eagle, the body of a lion, eagle like talons, and the tail of a serpent. In some cases, the Griffin is drawn with equine like ears near the back of its head. Some specialists have concluded that only the females had wings while the males did not. The males have been referred to as keythongs in old English literatures. The Griffin closely resembles the Hippogryph, although the Hippogryph has more equine features then the Griffins. The two are said to be cousins even though they were mortal enemies. Below are a few depictions of the Griffin.



__**Where Did the Griffin Come From?**__
The Griffin is said to have originated in the mountains of India. The griffins would go into the mountains and find gold. The gold was used to build nest that would later contain its offspring. The value of the golden nests attracted many hunters to the breeding grounds of the Griffin. To protect its young, the Griffin would kill any intruders and their horses. One advantage of the environment was the abundance of food. The Griffin would hunt in the surrounding forests, scavenging for little animals. When the prey was spotted, they would swoop down and catch it in their talons; much like the modern day hawk or eagle.

Another theory is that the Griffin lived near the ocean. It would build its nests in large trees that lined the coast and use the ocean as a resource for food. Certain accounts in old texts and myths have said the Griffin would dive down under the water to retrieve large fish. The Griffin would then take its catch and feed their young. The hunting and living habits are very similar to that of a seagull or oceanic bird.



**__Popular Myths:__**
The Griffin only shows up in a few myths and stories. The most popular one is about Alexander the Great. According to this story, Alexander captured a pair of griffins and starved them for three days. He hitched them to his throne and teasing them with chunks of roast beef. Alexander held the meat above their heads on lances and flew heavenward for seven days. Alexander would have stolen a peek at God if an angel had not asked him why he wanted to see the things of heaven when he did not yet understand the things of earth. Chastised for his presumptuousness, Alexander flew back to earth. Representations of Alexander's ascension were placed in French and Italian cathedrals during the 12th century. Below is a cup representing this story.



__**What Does the Griffin Symbolize?:**__
The Griffin was well respected for its heroic virtues. They are known for their speed, ability to fly and having eyes like an eagle. Similar to a lion, they are also a symbol of strength and wisdom. In hieroglyphics, griffins represent heat and summer. In Roman art, griffins are often pulling the chariot of Nemesis (goddess of justice and revenge). Overall, the Griffin was a pretty powerful figure and was used in many paintings and on pieces of art, such as a pottery.



__**Modern References:**__
There are many modern references of the Griffin. Pherhaps the most popular one is the famous scene of Buckbeak and Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban. Below is a video of this scene: media type="youtube" key="OZyo9RGbTsA" height="219" width="294" align="center"

Other references are evident all over the world! In London, their crest contains a Griffin with a dragon. There is also a roller coaster in Busch Gardens called the Griffon, this is not uncommon. A movie was a made a few years back called the Griffin, it told a tale about a magical creature (the Griffin) helping a couple find love. Apart from the media, the Griffin shows up in modern day art and even in jewelry. It has really left its mark in history!

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