Sphinx

The Great Sphinx of Giza, alongside the Pyramid of Khafra inwards the background

A sphinx (Greek: Σφίγξ /sphinx, Bœotian: Φίξ /Phix) is a mythical beast alongside a lion's torso in addition to a human head.

The sphinx, inwards Greek tradition, has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a bully bird, in addition to the confront in addition to pectus of a woman. She is mythicised every bit treacherous in addition to merciless. Those who cannot response her riddle last a fate typical inwards such mythological stories, every bit they are killed in addition to eaten past times this ravenous monster.[1] Unlike the Greek sphinx which was a woman, the Egyptian sphinx is typically shown every bit a homo (an androsphinx). In addition, the Egyptian sphinx was viewed every bit benevolent inwards contrast to the malevolent Greek version in addition to was idea of every bit a guardian oftentimes flanking the entrances to temples.

Perhaps, the outset sphinx, Queen Hetepheres II from the 4th dynasty (Cairo Museum)

In European decorative art, the sphinx enjoyed a major revival during the Renaissance. Later, the sphinx image, something really similar to the master Ancient Egyptian concept, was exported into many other cultures, albeit oftentimes interpreted quite differently due to translations of descriptions of the originals in addition to the development of the concept inwards relation to other cultural traditions.

Generally the part of sphinxes is associated alongside architectural structures such every bit majestic tombs or religious temples. The oldest known sphinx was flora inwards Gobekli Tepe, Turkey in addition to was dated to 9,500 BC.