The Griffin, millenary hybrid

Brief description of the Griffin

The griffin is a hybrid animal of mythology whose nature combines a lion’s body with that of a head of a raptor bird and that has wings. The oldest examples come from the protoelamite glyph and Urak IV-VI. This model was exported to Egypt through contacts between Mesopotamia and the Nile during Naqada llb-d (3900-3300 BC).

Important data related to the Griffin

It is credited with a protective function throughout the Meditarraneo, including Greece, although in a primitive phase it embodied the forces of evil.

Its connection with the divinity was highlighted, which crossed the limits of Antiquity to be included in the Christian icnography. It relates to the strength of divine wisdom; in addition to the protection of souls in a transit to heaven, in reference to the story of Alexander the Great. In it he narrates his untimely ascension by griffins carriages, the Eucharist  and the double nature of Christ (his human nature represents the lion while in his divine nature it will be reflected in the bird).

Griffin images are reflected in the paintings and sculptures of the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians and Persians. In addition, there are representations of griffins in the Minoan painting such as the Hagia Triada sarcophagus.

There is a Greek legend that alludes that the god Apollo had gone to look for griffins and returned to Greece riding in one of them. They were supposedly devoted to Apollo and guarded his treasures to protect them from the Animaspos. They even guarded the wine craters of Dionysus.

There is a recent myth that attributes to the griffins the watch over gold in the deserts of northern India. Supposedly they did it for their desire to protect their youngs that nest in the mountains from which gold was extracted.

Conclusion

Despite there is no strong evidence of the existence of the griffin it is important to mention that in different places and times there is the image of it in his paintings and sculptures. Therefore, it generates questions related to this coincidence. It is relevant to indicate that the alien phenomenon can be associated when narratives such as that of Alexander the Great is analized. Here is the data exposed and the conclusion is left to the reader’s judgment.

References

• Grifo| Wikipedia
• El grifo en el mundo Tartésico| Anthropologies.es