Griffins are terrifying[1] and possibly mythical creatures of the known world.
In Culture
House Connington of Griffin's Roost has dancing griffins on their sigil,[2] and their leaders sit the gilded Griffin Seat.[3] The family's battle cry is "A griffin! A griffin!"[3] The Conningtons refer to the the long bare ridge near their castle as the griffin's throat.[3]
Stone sentries outside of the shop of Tobho Mott in King's Landing are decorated as griffin and unicorn knights.[4]
Among the grotesques and gargoyles of Dragonstone are griffins.[5]
Roaring griffins are among the plundered artifacts along the godsway of Vaes Dothrak.[6]
Qarth contains fountains in the shapes of griffins, dragons, and manticores.[7]
History
According to legends from the Vale of Arryn, the Winged Knight defeated the Griffin King atop the Giant's Lance.[8]
Ser Alyn Connington of the Kingsguard was known as the Pale Griffin.[9]
According to the tale of the Knight of the Laughing Tree, the lord of griffins was present for the great tourney.[10]
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
During the tourney on King Joffrey's name day, Ser Horas Redwyne defeats an older knight whose steed is decorated with silver griffins against a striped blue-and-white field.[11]
A Dance with Dragons
Jon Connington uses the name "Griff" while disguised in Essos.[12]
Quotes
Connington wounded your grandfather Tully sore, though, and killed Ser Denys Arryn, the darling of the Vale. But when he saw the day was lost, he flew off as fast as the griffins on his shield.[13]
—Harwin to Arya Stark
Brienne: Your door is very pretty. What castle is that meant to be?
Captain's sister: All castles. The only one I know is the Dun Fort by the harbor. I made t'other in my head, what a castle ought to look like. I never seen a dragon neither, nor a griffin, nor a unicorn.[14]—Brienne Tarth and the captain's sister
Tyrion: What if we should find the queen and discover that this talk of dragons was just some sailor's drunken fancy? This wide world is full of such mad tales. Grumkins and snarks, ghosts and ghouls, mermaids, rock goblins, winged horses, winged pigs ... winged lions.
Griff: I have given you fair warning, Lannister. Guard your tongue or lose it.[15]—Tyrion Lannister and Griff
Behind the scenes
Griffins from real-world legends are majestic creatures with lion and eagle features.
References
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 41, Alayne II.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 36, Daenerys IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 27, Daenerys II.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: The Vale (House Arryn).
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 2, Sansa I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 18, Tyrion V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 29, Arya V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 8, Tyrion III.