René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
In heraldry, the griffin represents vigilance and readiness. For Michigan, it also harkens to French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle whose ship, "Le Griffon", was the first European vessel to sail the upper Great Lakes.&lt;ref name="http://www.lasalle-griffon.org"&gt; Le Griffon&lt;/ref&gt;