Gryphons and their peers
In ancient time, the dragon, the chimera and the gryphon engaged in mortal
combat in the skies over the world. Most believed the mighty dragon
would win because the dragon could use fire and his ability to fly to
crushing effect. Some championed the chimera who could look in all
directions at once with his many heads, appearing an invincible enemy.
No one felt the gryphon could succeed against these foes.
However the gryphon used his wit and intelligence. He watched his two
foe for a long time, seeking to discover their strengths and weaknesses.
Suddeny, he sprung into action. First, he lured the dragon into the
depths of the ocean where his fire was extinguished forever. Then,
burrowing through the earth beneath the chimera, the gryphon attacked
from the one direction the chimera had not expected. The chimera
was vanquished before it had recovered from the surprise.
In this way a creature thought much smaller and weaker than its
adversaries won a great victory!
The Species of Gryphons
in ancient times they were symbols of guardianship, protection and the retribution of justice, but in the 19th century assumed the mantel of harmless, and even gentle creatures. >Dating back several centuries B.C., the Gryphon was said to rule both air and land, watchful, loyal, strong, and swift. In ancient times they were symbols of guardianship, protection and the retribution of justice, but in the 19th century assumed the mantel of harmless, and even gentle creatures.
The Species of Gryphons
The vast majority of gryphon's belong to the one species,
Raptopantthera gryphos. There are two main varieties: the northern,
or Hyperborean griffon, and the Indian griffon. The northern gryphon
lives in the hilly forests and mountains of north-eastern Europe and
Russia. These forested areas once extended deep into the Ukraine -
much further south then they do today. The Indian griffin is found in
mountainous regions of North-Eastern India and the Middle East. The
only other species of the genus is the opinicus, Raptopanthera opinicus,
recognizable by its feline, as opposed to aquiline, forelimbs. It was
always rare and is now most certainly extinct.
The Appearance of the Gryphon
The griffon is a large, fierce looking creature, about 2 ft higher then
a shire horse. The strong wings sprouting from its back are strong enough
to carry it at enormous speeds, and lift it off the ground bearing heavy prey.
Long ears, sharp eyes and cruelly hooked bills make the griffon a fearsome
beast. The tail functions as a rudder in flight. The heavy rear paws help
provide extra thrust during take-off and are used to hold prey down while
the beak and claws do their worst. The claws are like massive eagles' feet.
As the griffon swoops on its quarry, the rear talon sinks into the flesh
first. Then the front claws close to form a deadly cage, firmly gripping
the doomed creature.
The many spellings of "Gryphon"
Here are 24 different spellings of "gryphon":
Gryffen, girphinne, greffon, grefyne, grephoun, griffen, griffin, griffion, griffon, griffoun(e), griffown, griffun, griffyn, grifon, grifyn, griphin, griphon, gryffin, gryffon, gryfon, gryfoun(e), gryphen, gryphin, and gryphon.