Sphinx

Sphinx

Attic red-figure pyxis, 2nd half of the 5th century BC. From Nola (Italy).
Grouping	Legendary creatures
Similar entities	Griffin, Manticore, Cherub, Lamassu, Narasimha
Region	Persian, Egyptian and Greek

A sphinx (Boeotian: φίξ [pʰíːks], plural sphinxes or sphinges) is a mythical creature with the head of a human, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle.

In ancient Greek mythology, this is a monster with the head of a woman, the front feet and body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the tail of a bull. It is an evil creature. It kills people and then eats them.^[1] It is the character of the legend of Oedipus.^[2]

In Egyptian mythology, the sphinx is usually a kind creature, but it has same power as in the Greek version. Both Greek and Egyptian sphinxes guard something, and statues of sphinxes stand near the doors to palaces.^[3]

During the Renaissance in Europe, people made the sphinx in different ways. This was because people had translated the description of the sphinx into Renaissance languages differently. However, pictures of the sphinx are usually associated with the Egyptian Sphinx.

1. ↑ "Dr. J's Lecture on Oedipus and the Sphinx". People.hsc.edu. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
2. ↑ Kallich, Martin. "Oedipus and the Sphinx." Oedipus: Myth and Drama. N.p.: Western, 1968. N. pag. Print.
3. ↑ Stewart, Desmond. Pyramids and the Sphinx. [S.l.]: Newsweek, U.S., 72. Print.