View source for Griffin

The '''griffin''' is a mythical creature composed part bird and part lion, generally a [[lion]]'s body with an [[eagle]]'s head and wings.  In some cases the forelegs are also avian.  Occasionally sources also grant it the tail of a serpent or a scorpion, but this is little used in [[heraldry]].  Heraldic sources insist on the retention of the lion's ears, so that an eagles' head and a griffin's may be distinct [[charges]].

The [[heraldic]] ''keythong'' is a male griffin,  represented as wingless but with either spikes of fur or jets of flame or light coming from the main body area.