Griffin

The mixed creatures encountered in Mesopotamian, Syrian and Egyptian art from the 3rd millennium BC onwards, emerged when gods were seen in human form. They were shown in a supernatural way to emphasize their divinity. They were formed by the combination of the most powerful animals of the earth and the sky and had an irresistible power. These mixed creatures had the bodies of lions with or without wings and the heads of large birds, usually eagles. In addition to their good qualities such as being feared, respected, noble, alert, fast, strong and loyal, they also had negative qualities such as being sinful, predatory, stingy, wild, gluttonous and cruel. The Griffon, which lived, raised children and died like other mixed animals, could fly like a bird with its wings and walk on four legs. The Griffon's homeland is Mesopotamia, but it also had an important place in the religious depictions of the Cretans, in Mycenae, in Greek decorative arts, in Egypt, Iran, Anatolia and Syria. Its first appearance in Anatolia was during the Assyrian trade colonies period (1900-1800 BC). The Gryphon, one of the mixed creatures in the seals found during this period, entered Anatolia from Mesopotamia. It has the body of a male lion and the head of a bird and like other creatures of this period, it disappeared without a trace.