A griffin, also spelled griffon or gryphon, is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion, and the head and wings of an eagle with its talons on the front legs. It is a composite mythological creature that probably originated in Near Eastern art and mythology, though it arrived in Greece at a later time. The griffin was a favorite decorative motif in the ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean lands, and it was shown either recumbent or seated on its haunches, often paired with the sphinx; its function may have been protective. In myths, griffins guarded great treasures and were the strongest creatures that could fly, making them the obvious choice to pull the carriage of the Sun god, Apollo. The griffin has been part of human culture for a very long time and persists today, as seen in various school emblems, mascots, and even popular literature.