Have you ever dreamed of becoming a mountaineer? Or perhaps you indulge in a bit of adventure and ornithology? Maybe you’re just an audacious daredevil, breaking free from the mundane to seek thrilling experiences? If so, I have an exciting proposition for you: find the most captivating mountain, run, walk, or crawl towards it, and as you journey, take a moment to admire the vastness around you. Once you reach the summit, pause, look around, savor the moment, and you might catch a glimpse of a magnificent creature—perhaps hungry and slightly menacing. Do you think it’s a bird? Or maybe a giant airplane? No, it’s the legendary Griffin!
Something seems off? Don’t worry; everything is clear! With the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, the Griffin isn’t your everyday animal. This mythical blend of two real creatures has been one of the most popular beings throughout history. Legends about this entity are so ancient that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when tales of it began circulating in our world. The Griffin has existed for many centuries, dating back approximately 3000 years. Around the same time, Greek and Egyptian mythologies emerged, creating cameos across the globe. It’s quite an exhilarating and impressive summary!
In Minecraft Bedrock, builder MegRae is not only a fan of mythical beings but also works on projects to bring these legendary ideas to life. Previously, he focused solely on land and sea creations worldwide, but in one of his latest collections, he aimed to soar above the clouds to create a sky conqueror.
“I’ve always loved the idea of mythical creatures, and I’ve tried to bring them to life as I envision them in my mind,” MegRae shares with me. “I adore fantasy because it allows for more artistic interpretation, although I don’t exclusively work within this genre.”
Builder MegRae constantly seeks new challenges with each build to push himself and enhance his skills. His Griffin was no exception, and once completed, it became his most impressive project yet. The construction started on a small map’s first rocky cliff, but the structure quickly expanded and required further development.
“I had artistic goals, such as capturing the true essence of the Griffin and adopting a more stylized approach to the atmosphere,” explains MegRae. “I intentionally made the mountains more whimsical by adding spikes. Overall, I wanted to create a sense of intimate presence with the Griffin—just me, it, and freedom. Admiring it in my own world of Minecraft Pocket Edition, where no one can witness the peaks of mountains and clouds.”
“I’ve always imagined that while traveling through mountainous terrain high above the clouds, a legendary creature rests atop the peaks to catch its breath.
We were taught that when a chick hatches, its parents feed it worms to help it grow strong, but I believe we can confidently say that the mighty Griffin won’t find any worms above the clouds. This creation evokes the feeling of a cold, windy morning. The great being stands tall at the very peak of the mountain, surveying the surroundings in search of new prey or scanning for a long-lost friend. For the sake of all climbers, I hope this is the last Griffin from MegRae; otherwise, they will surely face danger. However, the builder has his perspective. “I’ve always envisioned it soaring high above the clouds, resting on a nearby mountain, calling out to other Griffins that may be flying nearby.” 
As someone living in Sweden, I can’t help but notice that Griffins play a significant role in history, appearing everywhere from coats of arms to ancient statues guarding castle gates. We even name our airplanes after this legendary beast! Perhaps it’s not surprising, as this symbol is used by many European countries. The Griffin is believed to be a combination of a lion and an eagle, often seen as the kings of the jungle and the skies. Consequently, it symbolizes courage, strength, and wisdom.
What truly makes the Griffin majestic is its impressive wingspan, which was a crucial element for MegRae. To achieve this title, experimentation was necessary. According to him, crafting the wings and all their feathers was one of the most challenging aspects of the build, requiring a considerable amount of detail.
“It can be frustrating, and sometimes inspiration gets lost while trying to figure out details like feather length and width, wing angles, and feather angles on the wings,” says MegRae. “But when you see the result assembled from all those tiny pieces, it becomes worthwhile. Fortunately, I only had to create one wing manually; then I simply copied the first one to make the second.” 
After completing the “Sky Conqueror” project, MegRae immediately set to work on new, bolder inventions. As he continues to challenge himself, it’s unlikely he’ll explore another legendary creature anytime soon.
“I’ve always loved three-dimensional art, as well as watching how amazing builds in Minecraft inspire me. It’s not only satisfying but genuinely beautiful. Minecraft is more than just a game for me; it’s my favorite form of art.”
