A legendary animal, half horse and half griffin. Its father was a griffin and its mother was a filly. It is often found in ancient Greek art and appeared largely in medieval legends. It is also a symbol of love. It has the head, wings and front legs of a gryphon, and the back and hind legs of a horse.
It is a large powerful creature that can move through the air more swiftly than lightning. It figured in several of the legends of Charlemagne as a mount for some of the knights. Such unions are incredibly rare, since the relationship between the two species is usually one of predator and pray.
Unlike griffins, hippogriffs could be tamed and used as aerial mounts, in which role they were immortalized in the Italian Renaissance poet Ariosto's famous saga, Orlando Furioso.
Griffins and horses were supposed to be mortal enemies. The Hippogriff symbolizes an impossible thing. There is an old expression in Medieval times "Jungentur jam grypes equis" which means "To cross griffons with horses", which meant about the same as the modern expression, "When pigs fly." The hippogriff was therefore a symbol of impossibility and love.
The hippogriff seemed easier to tame than a griffin. In the few medieval legends when this fantastic creature makes an appearance, it is usually the pet of either a knight or a sorcerer. It makes an excellent steed, being able to fly as fast as lightning.
It is a large powerful creature that can move through the air more swiftly than lightning. It figured in several of the legends of Charlemagne as a mount for some of the knights. Such unions are incredibly rare, since the relationship between the two species is usually one of predator and pray.
Unlike griffins, hippogriffs could be tamed and used as aerial mounts, in which role they were immortalized in the Italian Renaissance poet Ariosto's famous saga, Orlando Furioso.
Griffins and horses were supposed to be mortal enemies. The Hippogriff symbolizes an impossible thing. There is an old expression in Medieval times "Jungentur jam grypes equis" which means "To cross griffons with horses", which meant about the same as the modern expression, "When pigs fly." The hippogriff was therefore a symbol of impossibility and love.
The hippogriff seemed easier to tame than a griffin. In the few medieval legends when this fantastic creature makes an appearance, it is usually the pet of either a knight or a sorcerer. It makes an excellent steed, being able to fly as fast as lightning.
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