The Many Forms of Griffins

Most people have at least heard the name Griffin, they may not know what it is really, but most do have some idea of the creature. The name alone gives a sense of strength, which rightly fits the majestic mythological creature. Griffins actually have found many different forms over the years, some closer to the original idea than others. Though before we get into that I should state that a Griffin is a mythological Greek creature that has remained strong in stories to this day.

The apparent original idea for the creature was that it had the wings and head of an eagle combined with the body of a lion. The thought being to take the two most majestic of creatures; lion, king of the beasts; and the eagle, king of the birds and make sort of a super king of beasts. However this creature has had a few different things change as time has passed. For example a little bit later it went from having a complete body of a lion to having its front legs as eagle legs.

Griffins have represented several different things over the years and were almost always considered sacred creatures. For quite a while the griffin was a very important symbol in Christianity, as it was a creature representing the marriage between creatures of heaven and earth. This idea came from the belief that Christians are the Bride of Christ and will one day be reunited with Him in marriage after the world has ended. For the Christians the griffin also represented Jesus Christ, who was both heavenly and yet completely of the Earth as as man just as the griffin is part creature from the heavens and Earth.

Outside of Christianity the griffin was also highly revered by those who worshiped Zeus and the other Greek gods. They were considered the "Hounds of Zeus" and also represented many favorable things as well, such as wealth and power. The griffin also represented wisdom and strength. Their feathers were also said to give sight to the blind by one of their feathers.