Its image graces our lives to this day, in everything from defense council shields to Duke banners. Craftsmen from all over the land draw inspiration for their creations from the emblem of a griffin with red wings fanned wide.
This legendary and marvelous animal is called the griffin. It has the body, rear legs and tail of a lion, "king beasts", and the head wings eagle, "king birds". Thus it shows fascinating cross-breeding between such mighty creatures as terrestrial earth lords and lofty sky kings.Great use is made of griffins in heraldry.
Here, there are two reasons. First, the ancient belief in their power--they are regarded as the servants of divine gods or possessions which guard treasures and sacred things of god himself; secondly and personally speaking they seem very appropriate as a symbolic reminder dialectically that transcends humanity and heaven.
While they are at least parts legendary ourselves shrined in spirit in divine heaven, an Earthly heritage lingers on this side of the divide up there.