El grifo
ISSN: 2254-7312
Year of publication: 2012
Volume: 4
Issue: 8
Pages: 45-65
Type: Article
More publications in: Revista digital de iconografía medieval
Abstract
The medieval iconographic repertoire frequently identifies the image of the griffon -a fantastic being taking on the appearance of a winged feline. Traceable in the ancient civilizations of the Near East, the remote origin of the griffon becomes prevalent in Classical Antiquity. In the Middle Ages this creature often acted as a guardian and developed an outstanding apotropaic and protective value for the deceased. Just as many other elements of ancient mythology, the griffon became incorporated into bestiaries and was moralized. It then went on to integrate figurative religious iconographic programs by adopting varied and sometimes conflicting meanings either as an incarnation of Christ or of Satan himself.