Griffin

The Griffin is a legendary creature with the head, beak, and wings of an eagle, the body of a lion, and occasionally the tail of a serpent or scorpion. Its origin lies in the Middle East and is found in the paintings and sculptures of the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians. The later Romans used them for decoration; even in Christian times, the Griffin motif often appears. Griffins were frequently used as gargoyles in medieval churches and buildings. In more recent times, the Griffin only appears in literature and heraldry.