Griever
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- For the weapon in Vagrant Story, see: List of Vagrant Story Weapons#Griever
Griever is a term in Final Fantasy VIII. It is the name of a lion's head crest commonly associated with Squall Leonhart, who admires lions for their strength and courage. Near the end of the game, Ultimecia creates a Guardian Force in the image of Squall's vision of Griever, which shares the name.
As a symbol the lion is diverse. Its most common traits are: dignity, strength, courage, justice, military might and it relates to almost any proud, courageous characteristic. The parts of the lion carry different symbolism as well; the head (which is featured prominently throughout Griever's interpretations) means care and vigilance, and if it is winged (like on the gunblades and the ring) it represents fire.
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Griever's Interpretations
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The Emblem/PendantEdit
Added by Moguta
Squall wears, and is seldom seen without, a chain necklace with a pendant of Griever above a partial Celtic cross reminiscent of the Cross of Saint James. Variations of this pendant also feature a full Celtic cross entangled with vines originating from Griever. This pendant, or the emblem, is also featured on Squall's gunblade case and, partially without the cross, attached as a keychain to the handle of the Revolver gunblade. The cross, as a symbol, signifies acceptance of death, or suffering and sacrifice. It gives people the ability to orient themselves within space and time and acts as an amulet against danger, having long been considered a weapon against monsters.
The GunbladeEdit
Added by AbsoluteHart7296The form of Griever is represented on a large scale on two of Squall's gunblades; the Revolver and Lion Heart.
For the Revolver, an etching of Griever's profile is represented on either side of the blade, and a key chain possessing a representation of Griever's bust, similar to the necklace, is attached to the gunblade's handle. It is also shown that the casing used to contain the Revolver features a large Griever symbol on the lid.
For the Lion Heart, the entire magazine assembly is designed into a recognition of Griever with a large wing and lion head as well as two paws that follow the lines of the gun-section to the blade.
The RingEdit
Added by NetherithSquall's ring features a profile of Griever's head along with one wing along its side. Rinoa Heartilly expresses interest in this ring later on in the game and eventually ends up possessing it where she wears it next to her own ring through a chain around her neck. Eventually Squall allows her to keep it.
The ring, as a symbol, is a tangible manifestation of the circle; it represents infinity and eternity, divinity and life. The ring also represents power, dignity, sovereignty and strength. Thus, to bestow a ring is to indicate a transference of power. As is exemplified by the traditional wedding ring, the object is also binding, as with husband and wife.
The MoonEdit
Added by KeltainentoukokuuThe silhouette of Griever can be seen at the end of Final Fantasy VIII in the moon as Balamb Garden heads into the distance.
BattleEdit
- Main article: Griever (Boss)
Griever is not only the symbol that embodies the traits Squall values dearly, but is also Squall's interpretation of the ultimate Guardian Force. Having been summoned by Ultimecia during the final battle by extracting Griever's likeness from Squall's mind, in this battle Griever is capable of using the powerful Shockwave Pulsar as well as being able to Draw and Claw Swipe. Griever possesses the ability to fully remove an entire stock of magic as well as simply dispelling a character, sending them careening into time. The music that plays during the battle with Griever is titled "The Legendary Beast".
After Griever has been defeated, Ultimecia junctions herself to Griever for the final battle's third-stage. This Junctioned hybrid can cast Holy and Dispel and possesses the ability to instantly kill Guardian Forces through GF Lethal Strike. Another special ability is to summon Helixes, which allows the hybrid to cast not only Ultima but, if there are two of them, the powerful Great Attractor. The music that plays during the battle is titled "Maybe I'm a Lion".
Other AppearancesEdit
Dissidia Final FantasyEdit
Ultimecia's EX Mode is a variation of her hybrid form with Griever. Rather than Griever taking on some of Ultimecia's qualities, Ultimecia takes on some of Griever's qualities, including a lion-like face and white feathered wings. Griever appears to meld into Ultimecia's dress and she fights using the lion's arms while hers are folded across her chest. Ultimecia's EX Burst in this form is a variation of Renzokuken called "Time Compression".
An alternate version of Squall's signature Griever pendant, previously only seen as a collectible sold by Square Enix, is worn by Squall in the game's ending.
Non-specific appearancesEdit
Since Griever is Squall's icon crest animal, the non-specific appearance of it is directly related with the appearance of Squall in other games and media, like the Kingdom Hearts series, Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Special, Dissidia Final Fantasy, and related merchandise.
Non-Final Fantasy AppearancesEdit
Kingdom HeartsEdit
Squall still wears his Griever pendant in the Kingdom Hearts series, and his gunblade has the Griever keychain attached to the hilt. Squall's jacket has two red wings on the back, meant to symbolize both Griever and Rinoa.
Two Keyblades in the Kingdom Hearts series, the Sleeping Lion and the Lionheart, are modeled after Squall's gunblade and are decorated with silver Griever accessories.
The Griever pendant also appears, wrapped in black flame, in the Kingdom Hearts manga (more precisely, the first volume on page 84) as a symbol on one of the opening chapter pages. The image perhaps symbolizes Squall's defeat and inability to overcome the Heartless on his own.
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The Sleeping Lion Keyblade.
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The Lionheart Keyblade.
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The Griever pendant, as it appears in the Kingdom Hearts manga.
MerchandiseEdit
Added by NetherithAs Griever is in heavy association with Squall it should come as no surprise that it appears in most Final Fantasy VIII merchandise. Some of the most prominent articles in the collection are Squall's Griever necklace and ring, while other items, such as lighters, watches, and clothing, feature the Griever image. A figure of Griever, as well as one of Griever fused with Ultimecia, have also been released.
As a special series of collectors' items, Square Enix began selling an alternate design of the Griever necklace, with a larger, more detailed cross with vines wrapping through it. This design would later appear as worn by Squall during the final FMV sequence in Dissidia Final Fantasy, albeit without the chain necklace.
A Final Fantasy VIII theme JVC minidisc player also exists, only acquired as a reward by entering a Coca-Cola prize draw in Japan. The minidisc player was limited to 5,000 pieces. The unit is manufactured by Victor Japan/JVC and has the Griever symbol embossed on the metallic plate on the front of the player, with the Final Fantasy logo in the corner, and the Coca-Cola logo on the back. The earphones have the Griever symbol on them as well.
A Griever-themed Final Fantasy VIII Zippo lighter has also been released, at the limited quantity of 1,000 pieces. Each lighter comes with a certificate of authenticity and they are serial-numbered. The lighter has the Griever emblem embossed on the lighter's surface, with the text "Sleeping Lion Heart". It comes with a solid steel stand with the Revolver and the text: Final Fantasy VIII.
GalleryEdit
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Final Fantasy VIII Title Screen.
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Squall and Rinoa talk about Griever.
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Griever minidisc player.
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Sleeping Lion Heart Zippo.
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Sleeping Lion Heart leather bracelet with silver charm.
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Griever ring.
TriviaEdit
- In the 1980's, in western schools it was custom that, upon the initiation of their relationship, a boy would give his girlfriend an item which she would wear or possess; signifying that the two are involved in some way. Usually this item or token would be a piece of clothing, usually a button from his jacket or a signet ring. This custom is represented in how Rinoa receives Squall's ring to possess.
