Griffins (Griffon, Gryphon)

Half eagle, half lion, these creatures are strong enough to pull Apollo’s chariot. Other gods use Griffins to punish mortals for their love of riches. Griffins have been known to plant the desert sands with glittering jewels and then feast on the greedy humans who come to collect. In the middle ages, a thriving business of Griffin riders sprung up around the deserts. Only the fastest horses could out-run the Griffins. Along with the jewels collected from the Griffins’ trap, a successful Griffin rider was feted with parades and accolades. Despite the fame and fortune, only the bravest or most foolish knights attempted to ride a Griffin. Neither riders nor horses had long careers. This sport might explain the Griffins’ intense dislike for horses.

Griffins are prominent figures in medieval heraldry. Eagles were considered "King of the air" and lions "King of the land." Bringing these two creatures together in the form of a Griffin on a war-banner, was a potent harbinger of fortune.

The wide variety of documented mating rituals suggests more than one race of Griffins may have existed in the past. Some histories report Griffins as intensely monogamous creatures. If one mate dies, the other will fly around, crying in mourning until exhaustion and death claim it. Others suggest that Griffins are Chimeric, that is the males and females do not resemble each other. In this case, the females are the winged beasts, while the weaker males are tolerated only for breeding purposes.

Griffins in Litereature:

The Magic and the Healing, by Nick O’Donohoe

The Black Gryphon, by Mercedes Lackey