I remembered watching my older brother play a video game called Phantasy Star Online. He was fighting one of the bosses, and I was cheering him on. However, when I saw the boss, I froze. It was this weird monster with wings on its back and these creepy eyes that made me want to cringe. It was only a few days later when I researched the monster, did I find out it was a griffin. Needless to say, I became interested in mythological creatures after that, as well as leaving the lights on when I went to sleep for a countless number of nights.

While griffins might not have as prominent a place in literature as vampires, werewolves, and the occasional dragon, griffins are beloved in the fantasy genre. Seen in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, the griffin is characterized as a creature with the body of a lion, and the head of an eagle, with wings on its back. During the Middle Ages, griffins were thought to be majestic creatures known for guarding treasures and other valuables. These legends originated from ancient Egypt, before spreading to other places such as Syria and Anatolia in the Bronze Age. Many civilizations considered the griffin sacred, and believed them to be a way to protect people against evil, a belief that would later influence there religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

There was a lot of speculation regarding how these creatures lived. Many people believed griffins lived with one mate, and even when their mate died, they would continue living alone. A griffin’s claw was said to contain medical benefits, alongside its feathers. It’d gotten to the point where their eggs were often sought out, so contrabands such as ostrich eggs and antelope horns were sold to the nobility. Griffins were used used to symbolize holiness, but also courage and strength. It was often used to represent military strength, and conveyed a sense of intimidation and respect.

Many writers have written about griffins. From Pliny the Elder to Flavius Philostratus, there was a solid belief that griffins were real. Griffins were even found in The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. In the book, Dante describes a griffin that is dragging a chariot along with it. In John Milton’s Paradise Lost II, he writes about the griffin in order to describe the devil. The griffin has also been seen in many fairytales, as well as other modern works, such as Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series and J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter.

To this day, the griffin continues to inspire us, whether it be to immerse ourselves in a world of fantasy, or to see remnants of the past. Griffins can be seen in many timeless works, and people have continued to revere them through the arts and architecture. What’s more, many educational institutions have even incorporated the griffin into their sphere, such as Purdue University and the College of William and Mary. And while authors continue to embrace the griffin, it’s clear that the creature has left its mark on human history.