UIG5327074 Gryphis Tertia (Griffin) : The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and an eagle\'s talons as its front feet. Because the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. The griffin was also thought of as king of all creatures. Griffins are known for guarding treasure and priceless possessions. Renaissance Woodcut monsters. From the 1642 book Monstrorum Historia by Ulisse Aldrovandi (Bologna, 1522-1605). He is considered the founder of modern Natural History., Ulisse Aldrovandi, 1642 穢Buyenlarge/UIG/Leemage.