The Meaning and Origin of the Griffin: A Legendary Motif Symbolizing Courage and Protection

What is Griffin?

The Griffin is a mystical creature with the upper body of an eagle and the lower body of a lion.

The image of the eagle, the king of the sky, combined with the lion, the king of the earth, has been revered as the "strongest guardian" since ancient times.

The origin and history of the griffin

Ancient Persia and Mesopotamia

Griffins can already be seen in art from around 3000 BC.

They were believed to be guardians of treasures and temples.

In ancient Greek mythology, he appeared as a guardian of gold and was also considered an angel of Apollo and Zeus.

In medieval Europe, it was often used in the coats of arms of knights and nobles, and became a symbol of courage, loyalty, and protection.

The griffin still appears on the coat of arms of the Swedish province of Södermanland.

There are various theories about its origin, but one theory is that it originated from the Zagros Mountains, where many lions lived in ancient times, and the Iranian Plateau.

It seems to have been introduced to the Balkans around the 5th century BC as the Achaemenid Empire of Persia expanded westward.

What the Griffin Symbolizes

Protection and defense – the power to never let your precious things be taken away

• Kingship and authority – Domination over heaven and earth
• Courage and loyalty – absolute loyalty to one's comrades and master
• Harmony – The union of heaven (Eagle) and earth (Lion)

Basically, the griffin is a sacred animal that is considered a symbol of nobility and royal dignity, but in a reversed sense it is also treated as a demonic beast.

In some Christian interpretations, "beast-bird hybrids" are seen as beings that disrupt God's creative order, and are sometimes considered symbols of heresy and evil .

Especially since the Renaissance, it has been depicted as a "monster of trials that tests the human soul" and a "symbol of greed."

As mentioned above, the griffin is a motif that originated from Persia and predates Christianity, so Christians view it differently due to the existence of paganism.

However, it seems that the design with an eagle's head and four lion's legs was well-liked, and so it became widely used.

"Guardians of Chastity" in Medieval European Fables

In some medieval tales and bestiaries, griffins are depicted as symbols of monogamy.

Because of this characteristic, it has been used as a guardian animal for weddings and as a coat of arms for ladies, especially as a guardian animal for women's chastity and fidelity.

For example, they are sometimes carved into the decorations of castle gates and treasure chests as guardians of newlywed women.

summary

Griffins are symbols of courage and protection that have been loved from ancient times to the present day, and their powerful form and symbolism make them frequently used in jewelry and metalwork designs.

It is loved as a motif that gives the wearer "strength," "protection," and "nobility," and stands out against heavy metalwork and heraldic designs.