The Griffin or Griffon is a legendary creature, that's head, beak and wings come from that of a great eagle, the body is that of a lion or a tiger and on occasion it has a tail of a scorpion the front feet often in talons. A Griffin is a fierce and deadly creature tearing its prey apart with its huge beak while pinning its prey to the ground with one of its talons or paws. The origin of the Griffin is unknown but its though to be somewhere in the Middle East as this is where early paintings and sculptures by the ancient Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians. In more recent times the Griffin is often seen on churches as gargoyles and on shield heraldry. The Griffon is the symbol shown on Vauxhall cars in Great Britain.