Griffin

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

in Greek mythology, was a fabulous animal, in size like a lion, with four clawy feet, two wings, and the hooked bill of an eagle. It seems to have been an Oriental conception This fantastic creature is the centre of a rare circle of myths, and it is mentioned by Hesiod and Herodotus as the guard of the gold in the innermost of northern Europe, which the one-eyed Arimaspes stole.

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

chimerical fabulous animal with the body and legs of a lion in symbol of strength, with the wings and beak of an eagle in symbol of swiftness, with the ears of a horse in symbol of watchfulness, and instead of a mane the fin of a fish; figures among heraldic symbols with the significance here indicated.