(Also spelled gryphon or griffon). A mythical creature with the body and tail of a lion and the head, wings and talons of an eagle. Depictions of griffins are found in the art of ancient and medieval cultures in many regions, including Europe, Persia, Anatolia, Egypt, and India. Web resource here.

A griffin miniature. Jacob van Maerlant, Der naturen bloeme. Pigments and gold on parchment. Ca. 1340-1350. National Library of the Netherlands, Utrecht. KB KA 16 folio 087r.