The Griffin is a classical sand therapy figure. In Greek myth, Griffins were creatures originating from Central Asia where there were gold deposits. Pliny the Elder wrote of Griffins, suggesting the creature would place its nest in underground burrows, and within the creature’s nests, one can find gold. One of the main coins in the city-state of Abdera, in Greece, was the “Griffon,” so named because it features the chimerical beast on its front. As such, Griffin is a symbol of material wealth and prosperity.
Griffon, derives its name from a Greek word meaning “curved,” referencing the creature’s curved beak. The word Griffin also has roots in the Akkadian language, deriving its name from a term translating as “Winged Creature.” Depictions of the mythic beast reveal Griffin with the head, beak, claws, and wings of the Eagle. It also features the body, legs, and tail of a Lion. The shape of the creature gives it ties to the Earth and Air Elements.
Occasionally, artists depict Griffin with feathered ears. Though rare, sometimes the Griffin appears as having no wings at all: The depiction earns the creature the title of “Keythong.” Writers diverge on what the wingless Griffin represents, with some people suggesting its female and the others, vice versa. The female is most common in art and iconography. In contrast, the male Griffin appears in heraldry, where it represents Christian concepts symbolizing the Power of God and a creature that guards the Divine.
When a Griffin image appears in heraldry, it is named after Opinicus, featuring a Camel’s tail, the wings of the Eagle, a Lion’s body, and the head of a Dragon. Some researchers believe the creature as a real-world connection to the dinosaur: Protoceratops. With so many features coming from real-world animals, the Griffin is chimerical and symbolizes shapeshifting, ancient wisdom, and paradox. It also embodies mystery, the monstrous, and the magical.
In essence, the Griffin joins two natural forces together into one embodiment: The Lion, which is the King of the Beasts, and the Eagle, which is the King of the Birds. Here, Griffin becomes a symbol of power, might, the majestic, nobility, and leadership. Being a creature of great strength, in various myths, the beast protects priceless treasures from would-be bandits and thieves, so Griffin also symbolizes protection.