The mythical creature of the Gryphon is a symbol of man

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English 9Louise S McGehee School2004
Gryphons
(What is a Griffin?)
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Gryphon

• The Gryphon, also spelled Griffin, is a
  mythological creature with a body and tail of a
  lion and the torso and head of an eagle.
• Its back, winged or wingless, is covered with
  feathers and its long talons on its feet are as
  big as oxen horns.

(Middelkamp)
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Symbols

• The mythical creature of the Gryphon is a symbol
  of many things
• --between the eagle and the lion they give the
  gryphon the symbol of strength and agility
• --it symbolizes royalty with strength and wisdom
• --it is usually a heroic symbol.

• In hieroglyphics- griffins represent heat and
  summer
• In Assyria- the griffin is a symbol of wisdom
• In Roman Art- griffins are often pulling the
  chariot of Nemesis

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Background Info.

• The Gryphon is claimed by many cultures.
• However, the earliest accounts are from India,
  where the Gryphon dwells in the Northern
  mountains and guards the gold and other treasures
  there (Hales).

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The name Gryphon, or Griffin, comes from the
Greek word gryps, which means seize (Gryphon).
Gryphons guarded the gold of India, which they
then made their nests out of, because of their
ability to detect treasure.
Gryphons are known for their swift and graceful
flight, and their keen eye for spotting treasure.

(Greek Mythology)
These creatures create a nest made of gold where
they lay agates, a type of gem stone, instead of
eggs.
(Tumbled Stones)
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The Great Myth of the Gryphon

• The Arimaspians, among whom the Griffins
  flourished, were a one-eyed people of Scythia.
  They made a raid on horseback and tried to steal
  the gold the Griffins protected, hence the
  mythical enmity between the horse and the
  Griffin. It is an Eastern fable, and we are told
  by Herodotus that the Gryphons were employed to
  guard the gold of India (Bulfinch).

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Today, you see the mythological creature of the
Gryphon used in the Harry Potter books as one of
the house names, Gryffindor. The Gryffindors are
supposed to be the brave, courageous people at
Hogwarts, and the Gryphon symbolizes just that.
(Universal's Island of Adventures)
Gryphons were, and still are, often used as great
stone guardians called gargoyles to protect
important buildings. Because Gryphons symbolize
strength, heroism, and royalty, people want them
to guard their homes or buildings so that they
are protected.
The huge talons/claws of a Gryphon were said to
detect poison in a liquid, so the people of India
made Gryphon talons/claws into drinking cups.
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Works Cited

• Bulfinch, Thomas. The Age of Fable or Beauties of
  Mythology. New York Tudor
• Publishing Company, 1935.
• Dave. Griffin. Daves Mythical Creatures and
  Places. 9 November 2003. eAudrey. 8 January
• 2004. http//www.eaudrey.com/myth/griffin.htm
• Greek Mythology - Griffin. Kidzworld. 2003.
  Kidzworld Media. 8 January 2004.
• lthttp//www.kidzworld.com/site/p1932.htmgt
• Gryphon. Realitys End. June 1, 1999. 8 January
  2004.
• lthttp//www.realitysend.com/adoptions/bestiary/gr
  yphon.shtmlgt
• Hales, Stephen MD. Mythological Recources.
  Winged Figures in legend and Mythology. New

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Works Cited

• Middelkamp, Josh. Other Subjects. Fragile
  Wings. 2001. Josh Middelkamp. 14
• January 2004.lt lthttp//www.geekjosh.com/other.htm
  gt
• The Gryphon in Mythology. The Guardians. 7
  January 2004.
• lthttp//myweb.cableone.net/darylwalker/gryphons.h
  tmgt
• Tumbled Stones. Crystal Shops.com.au. 13
  January 2004.
• lthttp//www.newage.com.au/crystalcreek/crystalsho
  p/tumblers.htmlgt
• Universal's Island of Adventures.Adirondack
  scenic, Inc. New York. 15 January 2004.
• http//www.adirondackscenic.com/theming/sets_prop
  s.htm
• What is a Griffin? World of the Griffins. 7
  January 2004.