The griffin (or Griffon) was a mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.  It was a symbol of divine power and a guardian of the divine.  An ancient fable tells of three mythological creatures that engaged in mortal combat, the dragon, the chimera and the griffin.  The griffin won by using cunning and intelligence to defeat the larger, stronger beasts.  They loved gold and jewels which they hoarded.  They were considered sacred to the Sun god Helios.