Griffin

A griffin, also known as a gryphon or griffon is a large creature that has the body, hind legs and tail of a lion, and the head, wings, and forelegs of an eagle. It also had the ears of a lion. Its talons and claws supposedly had healing powers. The lion was considered the ruler of land creatures and the eagle ruler of the skies, this meant that the griffin was the king of both land and sky.
There is evidence of the griffin in Ancient cultures such as the Persian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman mythologies. The Scythians and Sarmatians of Ukraine, Southern Russia, and Kazakhstan also have many tales of griffins. However, griffins became particularly popular in the Medieval times. They were used on family crests and shield emblems, they were considered a pure brave creature. In Christianity it was seen as the perfect being, something which was clearly of God's creation.
Griffins mated for life, if their partner were to die the griffin would live alone for the remainder of its life. The early Christian church used the griffin to express their views on remarriage; something to be frowned upon. Griffins had a love for gold, much like the European dragon. It supposedly dug up gold and hoarded it, protecting it with its life. Because of this however, it eventually became an object of hate and fear. In Christianity it actually came to mean greed, and was often associated with the Devil.
However, many years later the griffin was restored to its former glory by Dante. Another man called Ariosto invented the hippogriff, which was the offspring of a griffin and a horse. These men and others reinstated the claims that the griffin was pure and the protector of the Heavens. Even today there are mixed views as to whether the griffin is good or bad, make up your own mind.
For further information visit the following sites:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin
• http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Griffin