|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | [[Category:Politics and social sciences]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Anthropology]]
| |
| − | {{Ebapproved}}{{Copyedited}}{{Paid}}{{Approved}}{{Images OK}}{{Submitted}}
| |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Cotta_Greif_1839.jpg|thumb|200 px|The logo of Cottasche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart]]
| |
| − | The '''Griffin''' (sometimes spelled '''gryphon''' or '''griffen''', ''gryphos'' in [[Greek language|Ancient Greek]] or شیردال ''shirdal'' in [[Persian language|Persian]]) is a [[legendary creature]] with the body of a [[lion]] and the head and wings of an [[eagle]]. Seen as guardians of secretly buried wealth, the griffin evolved from a ferocious animal of antiquity to become a [[symbol]] of strength and valor. It is one of the most common mythical creatures to appear in [[heraldry|heraldic]] images, fittingly representing the hoped for nobility of leaders in human society.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Overview==
| |
| − | [[Image:Griffioen,Kasteel de Haar.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Heraldic guardian griffin at Kasteel de Haar, Netherlands]]
| |
| − | Griffins have had a rather consistent [[physiology]] throughout the ages. They are generally depicted with four legs, two wings, and a beak, with [[eagle]]-like talons in place of a [[lion]]'s forelegs and feathered, and [[horse|equine]]-like ears jutting from the skull. Among the few variations are those traditions claiming that only the females had wings and others indicating that the griffin's tails are [[serpent]]-like.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Origins==
| |
| − | One suggested set of associations extends from the rich [[fossil]] beds around the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] across the steppes to the [[Gobi Desert]] and on to the [[myth]]s of griffins, [[centaur]]s, and archaic giants originating in the classical world. Classical [[folklore|folklorist]] Adrienne Mayor draws upon similarities between the skulls of [[Protoceratops]] living millions of years ago in the steppes leading to the Gobi Desert, and the [[legend]]s of the [[gold]]-hoarding griffin told by [[nomad]]ic [[Scythian]]s of the region.<ref>Mayor, Adrienne. 2001. ''Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times''. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691089779</ref>
| |
| − | [[Image:Lots of Pictures 063 resize.jpg|thumb|250 px|right|Griffin (Homa) in Persepolis, Iran]]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | While it is possible that ancient cultures devised griffin legends from the fossils of actual animals, it is more likely that the griffins were creations of myth and [[symbolism]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The earliest references to griffins come out of [[Persian Empire|ancient Persia]]. In [[Persian mythology]], in particular during the [[Achaemenid Empire]], griffins or [[Homa]] were used widely as [[statue]]s and symbols in palaces. Homa also had a special place in Persian literature as guardians of light. In [[Ancient Egypt]], griffins were depicted with a slender, [[cat|feline]] body and the head of a [[falcon]]. Early statuary depicts them with wings that are horizontal and parallel along the back of the body. During the [[New Kingdom]], depictions of griffins included [[hunting]] scenes. Several figures in [[Egyptian mythology]] were depicted as griffins, including Sefer, Sefert, and Axex. Griffins were also sometimes seen as pulling the chariot of the [[pharaoh]]s.<ref> Crystal, Ellie. [http://www.crystalinks.com/griffins.html ''Griffins: The Eagle and the Lion''.] Access date: February 9, 2007.</ref>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Tales of griffins and the [[Arimaspi]] of distant [[Scythia]] near the cave of [[Boreas]], the North Wind (''Geskleithron''), were elaborated in the lost archaic poem of Aristeas of Proconnesus, ''Arimaspea'', and eagerly reported by [[Herodotus]] and in [[Pliny]]'s ''Natural History''. The griffin was said to build a nest, like an eagle. Instead of eggs, it laid [[agate]]s. The animal was supposed to watch over gold [[mining|mines]] and hidden treasures, and to be the enemy of the horse. Griffins were consecrated to the [[Sun]]; and ancient painters represented the chariot of the Sun as drawn by griffins. The griffin was a common feature of "animal style" Scythian gold; it was said to inhabit the Scythian steppes that reached from the modern [[Ukraine]] to central [[Asia]]; there gold and precious stones were abundant; and when strangers approached to gather the stones, the creatures would leap on them and tear them to pieces.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Elsewhere in Ancient [[Greek mythology]], the griffins were said to be "the hounds of Zeus," but were also associated with [[Nemesis]], the goddess of retribution, as well as the god [[Apollo]].<ref>Hamilton, Edith. 1998. ''Mythology''. Back Bay Books. ISBN 0316341517</ref>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Ancient [[Elam]]ites used griffin symbolism extensively in their [[architecture]]. In Elam legends, a Griffin was presented to Elamite Gods.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==European Cultural depictions==
| |
| − | [[Image:Schweizer Tapisseur 001.jpg|thumb|250 px|left|Detail of fifteenth century tapestry]]
| |
| − | The griffin continued to be largely represented in the fine arts in [[Europe]], such as [[tapestry|tapestries]] and illustrations, but later on also began to take on [[Christianity|Christian]] [[symbolism]] as well. The dual nature of the griffin was often seen as mirroring the dual nature of [[Jesus of Nazareth|Christ]], particularly because a griffin flew in the sky as easily as it walked on the ground, reflecting Christ's divine and human qualities. In English literature, the griffin became seen as a symbol of fidelity—griffins had one mate for life, and if one died, the other never mated again.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | In [[architecture|architectural]] decoration the griffin is usually represented as a four-footed beast with wings and the head of a [[leopard]] or [[tiger]] with horns, or with the head and beak of an [[eagle]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Heraldic Griffins==
| |
| − | [[Image:Herb Gryf1.jpg|thumb|left|180px| Coat of Arms for Polish ''Herb'' (clan) Gryf]]
| |
| − | [[image:griffin3.jpg|thumb|200px|Medieval figure of a heraldic griffin]]The griffin is often seen as a "charge" in [[heraldry]].<ref>[http://www.gryphonpages.com/research/heraldry/ ''The Gryphon In Heraldry''.]
| |
| − | Access date: February 19, 2007.</ref>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | A heraldic griffin (or gryphon) has the hind parts (including legs and tail) of a [[lion]], the upper parts (including feathered neck, wings, claws, and head with beak) of an [[eagle]] and also ears. The ears distinguish the griffin's head from an eagle's head in heraldry, which is important because the griffin's head would otherwise be identical to the head of the eagle, both of which are often found in heraldry as heads without bodies. Since the lion and the eagle were both important charges in heraldry, it is perhaps not surprising that their hybrid, the griffin, was also a frequent choice:
| |
| − | <blockquote>In the late fourteenth century, John de Bado Aureo wrote "A Griffin borne in arms signifies that the first to bear it was a strong pugnacious man, in whom were found two distinct natures and qualities, those of the Eagle and the Lion."<ref>Nigg, Joe. 1995. ''Wonder Beasts: Tales and Lore of the Phoenix, the Griffin, the Unicorn, and the Dragon''. Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 156308242X</ref></blockquote>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Heraldic griffins are usually shown rearing up, facing left, and standing on one hind leg with the other leg and the claws raised: this posture is described in the Norman-French language of heraldry as ''segreant'', a word uniquely applied to griffins, and which is the exact equivalent of the description of lions and other creatures in heraldry as ''rampant''.
| |
| − | [[image:citylondonarms.jpg|thumb|200px|Arms of the City of [[London]] flanked by the dragons popularly referred to as griffins]]
| |
| − | A heraldic griffin was included as one of the ten Queen's Beasts sculpted for the coronation of [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] in 1953 (following the model of the King’s Beasts at [[Hampton Court]]) and this is now on display at [[Kew Gardens]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The City of [[London]] adopted what are usually described as griffins as supporters for its [[coat of arms]], and it marks its boundaries with statues of a single "griffin" carrying the City coat of arms at each road leading into the City of London. However, the City of London griffins are, in fact, heraldic [[dragon]]s, with scaly bodies and wings, no feathers, and no eagle's beak.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Literature==
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The griffin has appeared in various types of literature. Echoing the classical depictions, in [[Dante Alighieri]]'s ''Purgatorio'' a griffin pulled the chariot that brought Beatrice to Dante in Canto XXIX.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | In ''Paradise Lost'', [[John Milton]] makes use of their very wondrous nature in a variety of metaphors and similes through his retelling of Man's downfall in the [[Garden of Eden]]:
| |
| − | ::As when a Gryfon through the Wilderness
| |
| − | ::With winged course ore Hill or moarie Dale,
| |
| − | ::Pursues the Arimaspian, who by stealth
| |
| − | ::Had from his wakeful custody purloined
| |
| − | ::The guarded Gold: So eagerly the fiend
| |
| − | ::Ore bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare,
| |
| − | ::With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way <ref> Milton, John. 1667. ''Paradise Lost''. Book II, lines 943-950.</ref>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | [[image:gryphon.gif|thumb|right|250px|Gryphon illustration by Sir John Tenniel for [[Lewis Carroll]]’s Alice in Wonderland]]
| |
| − | A griffin (spelled "gryphon") is featured in [[Lewis Carroll]]'s ''Alice in Wonderland'' in which the Queen of Hearts' orders the gryphon to take Alice to see the Mock Turtle and hear its story. For a young generation in nineteenth-century [[England]], Sir [[John Tenniel]]'s illustration depicting the gryphon in an unusually naturalistic style, brought into popular culture the new idea of the griffin as part of a childlike fantasy world, akin to [[unicorn]]s or [[elf|elves]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | A griffin-like creature also appears in [[Maurice Sendak]]'s classic ''Where the Wild Things Are''. Many pop culture publications that incorporate classical elements, such as ''Dungeons and Dragons'', also use representations of griffins.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Footnotes==
| |
| − | <references/>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==References==
| |
| − | * Conway, D. J. 2001. ''Magickal Mystical Creatures: Invite Their Powers Into Your Life''. Llewellyn Publications. ISBN 156718149X
| |
| − | * Nigg, Joe. 1995. ''Wonder Beasts: Tales and Lore of the Phoenix, the Griffin, the Unicorn, and the Dragon''. Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 156308242X
| |
| − | * Vinycomb, John. 2004. ''Fictitious and Symbolic Creatures in Art with Special Reference to Their Use in British Heraldry''. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 0766182487
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==External Links==
| |
| − | *[http://touregypt.net/featurestories/beasts.htm Beasts of Ancient Egypt]
| |
| − | *[http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/6811.html Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times]
| |
| − | *[http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/BESTIARY.html Greek Mythology Link ''Bestiary'':] Griffin, quoting Herodotus, Pausanias, Strabo
| |
| − | *[http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/griffins/ Griffins in Art and on the Web] – an "art history through griffins"
| |
| − | *[http://www.gryphonpages.com/ The Gryphon Pages] – a repository of griffin lore and information
| |
| − | *[http://www.guildersgallery.com/wiki/index.php/Gryphon GryphonWiki]
| |
| − | *[http://www.mythicalrealm.com/creatures/aerie.html Lady Gryphon's Mythical Realm: Griffin Aerie]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | {{Credit1|Griffin|93539246|}}
| |
