Difference between revisions of "Griffin" - New World Encyclopedia

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Sassanid Persian silver plate of a Simurgh (Sēnmurw), 4-6th c. A.D

The Griffin, sometimes spelled gryphon,griffen, gryphos in Ancient Greek or شیردال‌ shirdal in 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 heraldic images

Overview

Griffins are one of the few mythical creatures who have a rather consistent physiology throughout the ages. It is generally depicted with four legs, wings and a beak, with eagle-like talons in place of a lion's forelegs and feathered, equine-like ears jutting from its skull. Of the few variations that exist are the traditions that claim only the females had wings, while others indicate that the griffin's tales are serpent like.

Origins

Adrienne Mayor, a classical folklorist, has made tentative connections, in Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times, between the rich fossil beds around the Mediterranean and across the steppes to the Gobi Desert and the myths of griffins, centaurs and archaic giants originating in the classical world. Mayor draws upon similarities that exist between the Protoceratops (b.c.e. millions of years) skulls of the steppes leading to the Gobi Desert, and the legends of the gold-hoarding griffin told by nomadic Scythians of the region (less ancient). ^[1]

Griffin (Homa) in Persepolis, Iran

While it is probable that ancient cultures devised griffin legends from the fossils of actual animals, it is more likely that the griffins were seen as creations of myth and symbolism. The earliest references of griffins comes out of Ancient Persia. In Persian mythology, in particular during the Achaemenid dynasty, griffins called Homa were used widely as statues 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, 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 pharaohs. ^[2]

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 lays agates. The animal was supposed to watch over gold 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 Scythia 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.

File:Griffioen,Kasteel de Haar.JPG

Heraldic guardian griffin at Kasteel de Haar, Netherlands

Elsewhere in Ancient Greek myth, 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. ^[3].

Ancient Elamites used griffin symbol extensively in their architecture. In Elam legends, a Griffin was presented to Elamite Gods.

European Cultural depictions

The griffin continued to be largely represented in the fine arts in Europe, such as tapestries and illustrations, but later on also began to take on Christian symbolism as well. The dual nature of the griffin was often mirrored to the dual nature of Christ, particularly because a griffin flew in the sky as easily as it walked on the ground, complementing Christ's divine and human qualities. In English literature, the griffin became seen as a symbol of fidelity, thanks to the Irish writer Stephen Scotus, who used the griffin to represent the church's views on remarriage; griffins had one mate for life, and if one died, the other never mated again.

Heraldic Griffins

Medieval figure of a heraldic griffin

The griffin is often seen as a charge in heraldry.

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. It is the ears which distinguish the griffin's head from an eagle's head in heraldry, which is important because, as well as the full griffin, the griffin's head is also often found in heraldry and would otherwise be identical to the head of the eagle. 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.

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 "sergeant", a word uniquely applied to griffins, and which is the exact equivalent of the description of lions and other creatures in heraldry as "rampant".

File:Citylondonarms.jpg

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 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.

File:Herb Gryf1.jpg

Gryf Coat of Arms

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 dragons, with scaly bodies and wings, no feathers, and no eagle's beak.

Footnotes

↑ Mayor, Adrienne. "Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times" Princeton University Press, 2000.
↑ Crystal, Ellie. "Griffins: The Eagle and the Lion" http://www.crystalinks.com/griffins.html Retrieved February 9, 2007
↑ Hamilton, Edith "Mythology" Little Brown: New York, 1942

External Links

The Gryphon Pages, a repository of griffin lore and information
Griffins in Art and on the Web, an "art history through griffins"
Greek Mythology Link Bestiary: Griffin, quoting Herodotus, Pausanias, Strabo
Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times
Lady Gryphon's Mythical Realm: Griffin Aerie
Beasts of Ancient Egypt
Gryphons on GryphonWiki

Credits

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Griffin ^history

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[1] Mayor, Adrienne. "Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times" Princeton University Press, 2000.

[2] Crystal, Ellie. "Griffins: The Eagle and the Lion" http://www.crystalinks.com/griffins.html Retrieved February 9, 2007

[3] Hamilton, Edith "Mythology" Little Brown: New York, 1942

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[Category:Anthropology]]
 {{Claimed}}{{Contracted}}
-.[[image:Saena.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Sassanid|Sassanid Persian]] silver plate of a [[Simurgh|Simurgh (Sēnmurw)]], 4-6th c. A.D]]The '''Griffin''', sometimes spelled '''gryphon''','''griffen''', ''gryphos'' in [[Greek|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 frecious animal of antiquity to become a symbol of strength and valor. It is one of the most common mythical creatures to appear in heraldric images
+.[[image:Saena.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Sassanid|Sassanid Persian]] silver plate of a [[Simurgh|Simurgh (Sēnmurw)]], 4-6th c. A.D]]The '''Griffin''', sometimes spelled '''gryphon''','''griffen''', ''gryphos'' in [[Greek|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 heraldic images
 ==Overview==
-Griffins are one of the few mythical creatures who have a rather consistent [[phsyiology]] throughout the ages. It is generally depicted with four legs, wings and a beak, with eagle-like talons in place of a lion's forelegs and feathered, equine-like ears jutting from its skull. Of the few variations that exist are the traditions that claim only the females had wings, while others indicate that the griffin's tales are serpent like.
+Griffins are one of the few mythical creatures who have a rather consistent [[physiology]] throughout the ages. It is generally depicted with four legs, wings and a beak, with eagle-like talons in place of a lion's forelegs and feathered, equine-like ears jutting from its skull. Of the few variations that exist are the traditions that claim only the females had wings, while others indicate that the griffin's tales are serpent like.
-==Nature of Griffins==
+==Origins==
+[[Adrienne Mayor]], a classical [[folklore|folklorist]], has made tentative connections, in ''Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times'', between the rich fossil beds around the [[Mediterranean]] and across the steppes to the [[Gobi Desert]] and the myths of griffins, [[centaurs]] and archaic giants originating in the classical world. Mayor draws upon similarities that exist between the [[Protoceratops]] (b.c.e. millions of years) skulls of the steppes leading to the Gobi Desert, and the legends of the gold-hoarding griffin told by nomadic Scythians of the region (less ancient). <ref> Mayor, Adrienne. "Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times" Princeton University Press, 2000. </ref>
 [[Image:Lots of Pictures 063 resize.jpg|thumb|right|Griffin ([[Homa]]) in [[Persepolis]], Iran]]
-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|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 lays [[agate]]s. The animal was supposed to watch over [[gold]] [[mining|mines]] and hidden treasures, and to be the enemy of the [[horse]]. The incredibly rare offspring of griffin and horse would be called [[hippogriff]].
-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 [[Scythia]] 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. The Scythians used giant [[petrification|petrified]] bones found in this area as proof of the existence of griffins and to keep outsiders away from the gold and precious stones. It has recently been suggested that these "griffin bones" were actually [[dinosaur]] [[fossils]], which are common in this part of the world.
-[[Image:Griffioen,Kasteel de Haar.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Heraldic guardian griffin at [[Kasteel de Haar]], Netherlands]]
-[[Adrienne Mayor]], a classical [[folklore|folklorist]], has made tentative connections, in ''Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times'', between the rich fossil beds around the [[Mediterranean]] and across the steppes to the [[Gobi Desert]] and the myths of griffins, [[centaurs]] and archaic giants originating in the classical world. Mayor draws upon similarities that exist between the [[Protoceratops]] (b.c.e. millions of years) skulls of the steppes leading to the Gobi Desert, and the legends of the gold-hoarding griffin told by nomadic Scythians of the region  (less ancient).
-In [[Ancient Egypt]], the griffin was depicted with a slender, 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. Divine figures in [[egyptian mythology]], depicted as griffins, include Sefer, Sefert, and Axex.
-Ancient [[Elam]]ites used griffin symbol extensively in their architecture. In Elam legends, a Griffin was presented to Elamite Gods. In [[Persian mythology]], in particular during the [[Achaemenid dynasty]], griffins called [[Homa (mythology)|Homa]] were used widely as statues and symbols in palaces. Homa also had a special place in [[Persian literature]] as guardians of light.
-[[Image:Griffin.JPG|thumbnail|A modernist, Egyptianized guardian griffin, [[Washington D.C.]]]]A 9th century Irish writer by the name of Stephen Scotus asserted that griffins were highly monogamous. Not only did they mate for life, but if one partner died, the other would continue throughout the rest of its life alone, never to search for a new mate. The griffin was thus made an emblem of the Church's views on [[remarriage]]. Being in part both a flying and a land-bound animal, it was seen in Christianity to be a symbol of Jesus Christ (who was both human and divine).
+While it is probable that ancient cultures devised griffin legends from the fossils of actual animals, it is more likely that the griffins were seen as creations of [[myth]] and symbolism.
-The egg-laying habits of the female were first clearly described by St. [[Hildegard of Bingen]], a German nun author of the 12th century. She outlined how the expectant mother would search out a cave with a very narrow entrance but plenty of room inside, sheltered from the elements. Here she would lay her 3 eggs (about the size of Ostrich eggs), and stand guard over them.
+The earliest references of griffins comes out of [[Ancient Persia]]. In [[Persian mythology]], in particular during the [[Achaemenid dynasty]], griffins called [[Homa (mythology)|Homa]] were used widely as statues 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, 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. "Griffins: The Eagle and the Lion" http://www.crystalinks.com/griffins.html Retrieved February 9, 2007 </ref>
-[[image:gryphon.gif|thumb|left|200px|Gryphon illustration by Sir John Tenniel for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland]]
+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|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 lays [[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 [[Scythia]] 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.
-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 [[Horn (anatomy)|horn]]s, or with the head and beak of an eagle. The griffin is the symbol of the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] and you can see [[bronze]] castings of them perched on each corner of the [[museum]]'s roof,  protecting its collection.
+[[Image:Griffioen,Kasteel de Haar.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Heraldic guardian griffin at [[Kasteel de Haar]], Netherlands]] Elsewhere in Ancient Greek myth, 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 "Mythology" Little Brown: New York, 1942 </ref>.
-A griffin (spelled "gryphon") is featured in [[Lewis Carroll]]'s ''[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|Alice in Wonderland]]'' in which the Queen of Hearts' orders the gryphon to take Alice to see the [[Mock Turtle]] and hear its story. The original illustrations by Sir [[John Tenniel]] depict the gryphon in an unusually naturalistic style (pictured to the left).
+Ancient [[Elam]]ites used griffin symbol extensively in their architecture. In Elam legends, a Griffin was presented to Elamite Gods.
-Some large species of [[Old World vulture]]s are called gryphons, including the [[griffon vulture]] (''Gyps fulvus''), as are [[list of dog breeds|some breeds]] of [[dog]] (griffons).
+==European Cultural depictions==
-The scientific species name for the [[Condor|Andean Condor]] is ''Vultur gryphus''; Latin for "griffin-vulture".
+The griffin continued to be largely represented in the fine arts in Europe, such as tapestries and illustrations, but later on also began to take on [[Christian]] symbolism as well. The dual nature of the griffin was often mirrored to the dual nature of [[Christ]], particularly because a griffin flew in the sky as easily as it walked on the ground, complementing Christ's divine and human qualities. In [[English]] literature, the griffin became seen as a symbol of fidelity, thanks to the Irish writer Stephen Scotus, who used the griffin to represent the church's views on remarriage; griffins had one mate for life, and if one died, the other never mated again.
-===Hippogriffs===
-Griffins are traditionally regarded as having an antipathy for horses.  Therefore the '''[[hippogriff]]''', being the offspring of a horse and a griffin, was a doubly impossible being.  Nevertheless, some tales depicted their existence.
 ==Heraldic Griffins==
 [[image:griffin3.jpg|thumb|200px|Medieval figure of a heraldic griffin]]The griffin is often seen as a [[heraldry#Charges|charge]] in [[heraldry]].
-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.  It is the ears which distinguish the griffin's head from an eagle's head in heraldry, which is important because, as well as the full griffin, the griffin's head is also often found in heraldry and would otherwise be identical to the head of the eagle.
+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.  It is the ears which distinguish the griffin's head from an eagle's head in heraldry, which is important because, as well as the full griffin, the griffin's head is also often found in heraldry and would otherwise be identical to the head of the eagle. 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.
-According to the ''Tractatus de armis'' of [[John de Bado Aureo]] (late fourteenth century) “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”.  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.  The symbolism of the lion-eagle combination was also the subject of a quotation attributed to Chassaneus by Alexander Nisbet in his ''System of Heraldry'' (1722; p 343 of Vol I of the 1816 edn):  "Gryphus significat sapientiam jungendam fortitudini, sed sapientiam debere praeire, fortitudinem sequi.".  This translates as:  “The griffin represents wisdom joined to fortitude, but wisdom should lead, and fortitude follow".  There are alternate translations.
+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 "sergeant", a word uniquely applied to griffins, and which is the exact equivalent of the description of lions and other creatures in heraldry as "rampant".
-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]].
@@ Line 48: / Line 34: @@
 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 [[dragons]], with scaly bodies and wings, no feathers, and no eagle's beak.
-===The "keythong"===
+==Footnotes==
-The heraldic beast called a "keythong" much enjoyed among members of the [[Society for Creative Anachronism]] is claimed to appear in a single English manuscript of the reign of [[Edward IV of England|Edward IV]], a heraldic solipsism.  J.R. Planche's ''Pursuivant of Arms'' (London 1859) notes, under the badge of the [[Earl of Ormonde]] (first creation) as recorded in a College of Arms manuscript under Edward IV, the single contemporary reference:  "A pair of keythongs." Planche's footnote: "The word is certainly so written, and I have never seen it elsewhere. The figure resembles the Male Griffin, which has no wings, but rays or spikes of gold proceeding from several parts of his body, and sometimes with two long straight horns. Vade Parker's Glossary, under Griffin." ([http://www.sca.org/heraldry/loar/1986/05/cvr.html Society of Creative Anachronism website]). At the end of the 20th century the "keythong" began to be taken up enthusiastically among adherents of heraldry.
-==The Griffin Surname==
-The surname "Griffin" has two primary [[Gaelic]] sources in [[Ireland]], which pertain to the towns of Ballygriffey in [[County Clare|Co. Clare]], and Ballygriffin in [[County Kerry|Co. Kerry]]. The spelling "Ó Gríobhtha" is associated with the Co. Clare family, whose surname was also anglicised as "O'Griffey" or "Griffey". "Ó Gríobhtha" translates to English as "decedent of the Griffin-like". The "Ó Griffín" spelling belongs to the Kerry family. In Ireland, the name can also be associated with the Norman surname "Griffith", but to a much lesser degree. (O'Laughin 1997)
-The surname "Griffin" in Wales is also, generally speaking, a variant of the surname "Griffith", or other similar [[Welsh language|Welsh]] names.
-==Griffins in Literature==
-*[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|Alice in Wonderland]] by [[Lewis Carroll]] (see reference in summary above)
-*In [[Neil Gaiman|Neil Gaiman's]] [[Sandman (Vertigo)|Sandman]] comic book series, a griffin is one of three guardians of [[Dream (comics)|Morpheus']] palace in [[The Dreaming]]
-*[[The Invisible Man|Griffin]] is the Invisible Man in H.G. Wells' novel ''The Invisible Man.''
-*The Griffin is [[Monster in My Pocket]] #5.
-*The ''Crossroads'' series by Nick O'Donohoe, including ''The Magic and the Healing'', ''Under the Healing Sign'', and ''Healing of Crossroads''.  Griffins play a significant role in this series about veterinary students called upon to help mythological creatures.
-*Three varieties of griffins, with different spellings and very different dispositions, appear in the popular children's novel ''[[David and the Phoenix]]'' by Edward Ormondroyd.
-*[[Minor Harry Potter Beasts#Griffin|Griffin]]s are among the [[Magical beasts (Harry Potter)|magical creatures]] that exist in the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series. [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]]'s house (i.e., grouping of pupils) at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] is called ''[[Hogwarts Houses#Gryffindor|Gryffindor]]'', after its founder [[Godric Gryffindor]]. "Gryffindor" may come from the French "gryffon d'or" or "golden griffin", but, oddly, its emblem is a lion and not a griffin. The gargoyle guarding the [[Hogwarts]] headmaster's office is depicted in the Harry Potter movies as a half-phoenix, half-lion griffin.
-*''The Griffin and the Minor Canon'' by [[Frank R. Stockton]], illustrated by [[Maurice Sendak]] (1968)
-*''Collinsfort Village'' by Joe Ekaitis, illustrated by Nick Greenwood, features a griffin living near an imaginary Colorado suburb.
-*Gryphons are among the creatures in Aslan's army in ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]''.
-*''The Mage Wars Trilogy'' by [[Mercedes Lackey]] and Larry Dixon. A gryphon known as Skandranon is one of the lead characters. Titles are ''The Black Gryphon'', ''The White Gryphon'' and ''The Silver Gryphon''.
-*''[[The Divine Comedy]]'' by [[Dante Alighieri]].  A griffin pulls the chariot which brings Beatrice to Dante in Canto XXIX of the ''[[The Divine Comedy#Purgatorio|Purgatory]]''.
-*''Revenge of the Shadow King'' by [[Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis]]
-*A human baby turns into a griffin in Wilanne Schneider Belden's ''Frankie!''
-*Griffins play a part in the ''[[Dragonlance]]'' novels, under the command of [[List of Dragonlance creatures#Elves|Elves]].
-*In the [[Eberron]] campaign setting for ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', the griffon is the heraldic beast of the dragonmarked [[Dragonmarked house#House Jorasco|House Jorasco]].
-*In ''[[The Once and Future King]]'' by [[T. H. White]], young [[King Arthur|Arthur]] and his step-brother [[Sir Kay|Kay]] battle a fierce griffin with aid from [[Robin Hood]] soon after freeing captives of [[Morgan le Fay]].
-*In Baldur's Gate 2, the [[gnome]] NPC Jan Janssen's family (according to him) has had a number of encounters with griffins, mostly as a food source. One spoken line from the character is a panicked "What? Is there a griffin about?"
-*There is a griffin-like English gargoyle in the animated series ''[[Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles]]'', named [[Gargoyle clan#Griff|Griff]].
-*In the Warcraft Universe, griffins serve as flying mounts to dwarves and other races of the Alliance.
-==Miscellany==
-*[[Midland Bank]] used a griffin as its symbol before it was subsumed into its [[The_Hongkong_and_Shanghai_Banking_Corporation|HSBC]] parent company.
-*[[Waterloo_R.F.C.|Waterloo Rugby Club's]] badge features a griffin in the centre of a red Lancastrian Rose.
-*Griffin is a somewhat unusual boy's name from the 1990s.
-*The Norwegian county of [[Troms]] and municipality of [[Bjarkøy]] have griffons in their coat-of-arms.
-*[[De Montfort University]] uses a griffin for its logo.
-*[[Vauxhall Motors]] of [[Luton]], England, uses the griffin as its trademark.
-*[[Saab Automobile AB]] also uses the griffin as its logo. Saab Aerospace built a fighter jet, the JA-39 Gripen, which in Swedish means "griffin".
-*[[Busch Gardens Europe]] in Williamsburg, VA has announced their new [[rollercoaster]] for 2007 will be [[Griffon (roller coaster)|Griffon]], designed by Swiss manufacturer [[Bolliger & Mabillard]].
-*The home ground of English [[football]] team [[Brentford FC]] is called [[Griffin Park]] because of the griffin that features in the logo of [[Fuller's Brewery]], which had previously owned the land.  A local pub next to the ground is also named ''The Griffin''.
-===Griffin Mascots===
-*[[Lincoln-Way Community High School District|Lincoln-Way East High School]] in [[Frankfort, IL]]
-*[[Canisius College]] in [[Buffalo, New York]].
-*[[Chestnut Hill College]] in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]].
-*[[Reed College]] in [[Portland, Oregon]].
-*[[Sarah Lawrence College]] in [[Bronxville, New York]].
-*[[Grand Rapids Griffins]], a team in the [[American Hockey League]].
-*[[St. George's Independent School]] in Collierville, TN.
-*[[Lehigh University]], whose Gryphon Society are the mentors to the Freshmen Class.
-*[[Los Alamitos High School]]
-*[[London Griffins]]; a [[rugby league]] club.
-*[[Guelph Gryphons]]; the [[University of Guelph]], [[Guelph, Ontario]], [[Canada]].
-*[[Chestnut Hill College]] in Philadelphia, PA.
-*[[Missouri Western State University]] in St. Joseph, MO.
-*[[Pomfret School]] in [[Pomfret, Connecticut]].
-*[[Balshaws High School]] logo features a griffin in the centre as well as the words Non Sibi Sed Alis.
-==Spelling Variants==
-''Griffin'' has been spelled various ways, all according to the language of the speaker referring to them.
-*Common English variants are gryphon, griffen, and griffon.
-*Spanish speakers refer to the creature as ''el grifón''.
-*Most other alternates include griffoun, griffun, griffyn, grifo, grifon, grifyn, grefyne, gríobhán, griphin, griphon, gryffen, gryffin, gryffon, gryfon, gryphen, and gryphin.
-*Shortenings of the term vary wildly, as well.  These include griff, gryph, gryf, and grifo.
-==References==
-*O'Laughin, M. C. (1997). "The Book of Irish Families Great & Small". Irish Genealogical Foundation.
+<references/>
 ==External Links==