Griffin
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| The griffin is a mythical creature whose roots reach from western Europe to beyond India. In any mythology, the griffin is portrayed as a mix between an eagle and a lion. In all cases, this creature is shown as having the head and front legs of an eagle and the lower body of a lion. Griffins have wings and are often described as having horse ears. As strong as a hundred men, a griffin makes its nest with gold and guards it ferociously. Other animals that look like griffins are Hyeracosphinx and Opinicus. Here is how we can differ them: the hyeracosphinx has no wings and its front legs are those of a lion. Plus, they do not have horse ears. The opinicus does have wings and horse ears. However, its front legs are also those of a lion and its tail, shorter than the griffin's, is this of a camel. The legend of the Griffin (just like this of the Hyeracosphynx and the Opinicus) seems to come from skeletons of Protoceratops found at random by merchants looking for silk. As a matter of fact, to ancient people, Protoceratops looked like a four-legged predator who had the head of a bird of prey. And it seems it is those features that gave ancient people the impression of the existence of animals that were half bird, half mammal.
For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Back to Legendary Creatures |
