A Comparative Study of Griffin Motif in Iran and Greece

Griffin is a famous mythological hybrid creature, which is made of two other powerful animals: the lion and the eagle. This hybrid animal connects the powers of the lion, as the earth’s king, to the powers of eagle, as the sky’s king. So, it is considered as one of the most important symbols of power and kingship in every civilization. Although some remaining instances in Egypt show the image of the griffin, but according to the research results of the Ashmolean museum, the Elamites were the first people to use the creature and soon after, different kinds of the animals were used in other civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and even in the Far East. The Greeks used this motif enthusiastically in accordance to their artistic methods. So, the griffin became a common motif in Greek art. This research is a content analysis of different kinds of the griffin motif in Iran and Greek.The research is based on studying 145 samples of the motif from both countries using the relational method in the final analysis. The aims of the research are to analyze the motif according to the mythological beliefs. It is sought to find the answer to two main questions about the griffin motif: 1- what are the similarities and the differences between the motif in Iran and Greece? 2- How do the mythological beliefs affect the form or the usage of the griffin in both countries? The study is categorized into three aspects: first, the origins of the griffin are studied. Second, the form and shape of the griffin are discussed based on the samples. This includes the comparative study of the form and shape in both countries. In the third part, the mythological analysis of the motif is conducted according to the myths related to griffin. The results of the study show that the methods used in illustrating the griffin motif are according to the artistic methods of each country. The griffin has commonly been used in Iran since the Elamite era, but it has been used in Greece just after 1700 BC, in Crete, during Minoan art. The griffin in Iran has different forms and styles while in Greece it remains in the basic form as the combination of an eagle’s head with the lion’s body. Besides that, the Iranian form of the griffin was used as the schema for the Greek types. The open-mouthed forms of the griffin were common during the Parthians of Iran, and it became the original form of the griffin in Greece. However, it should be taken into consideration that in Greece, the griffins were more natural and energetic in design. The Greeks tended more to make busts of the griffin, while in Iran its reliefs had been more common. In Iran the griffins are the guardians of the winged disc, tree of life or the fire altar, and the viewers of the king’s religious party; beside the king in formal ceremony or alongside him in battles. Sometimes the king haunts the griffin. The haunting scenes of griffin by the king may convey symbolic concepts of victory or power. The Greek griffins are also showed as the guardians, but they are always in battle with the gods’ or goddesses’ enemies. Sometimes the gods Apollo, Dionysus, and the goddess Athena ride on the back of a griffin. While the Iranian types of the griffin are always sitting on hind legs, sitting, or standing straight and calm, the Greek griffins are open-mouthed, roaring, and even in attacking position. Another important characteristic of the griffins is their horn, and ears. Sometimes the griffin has two horns, which is the characteristic of the Iranian types. The horns show the godly, manhood power. The ears belong to donkey or horse, and showing them as a part of griffin’s body affects its concepts, and that’s why the animal is a symbol of wisdom. It seems that in Greece, accompanying the gods can simply change the roles of the griffin to a divine beast, but the symbolic concepts of griffin are more effectively used in Iran. The griffin in Iran is always showed in great serenity with dignity beside the king. In Iran some other related symbols to the griffin are the life plant, and the winged circle, but they have never been used with the Greek griffins. It is obvious that the griffin in Iran has the highest level of power and dignity. In both countries, the griffin is the most important symbol of the great power; the power that in Iran belonged to Inshushinak and Mithra, while in Greece belonged to Apollo, Athena and Dionysus. The creature is connected to the heavenly symbols of the sun and lightening, and is also considered as the symbol of protection, victory and wisdom.