Sphinx (mythological creature)
The Sphinx is a legendary creature prominent in both Greek and Egyptian mythologies, known for its role as a guardian of temples dedicated to deities believed to control human destiny. In Greek mythology, the Sphinx is depicted as a fearsome being with a human head, lion's body, and bird's wings, often associated with riddles and challenges that separate the worthy from the unworthy. The most famous tale involves Oedipus, who solves the Sphinx's riddle, allowing him to escape death. In contrast, the Egyptian Sphinx, which often takes the form of a lion with a human head, is viewed as a benevolent protector symbolizing royal power, notably seen in the iconic Great Sphinx of Giza, believed to guard the burial pyramid of Pharaoh Khafre.
Historically, sphinxes have appeared in various cultures beyond Greece and Egypt, influencing art and architecture in Asia and even Europe, where they were sometimes represented as female figures. Today, the Great Sphinx remains a significant tourist destination, despite facing challenges such as erosion, inadequate conservation efforts, and potential threats from regional conflicts. The dual nature of the Sphinx—both as a fierce creature and as a protective symbol—reflects the complexities of mythological interpretations across different cultures.
Sphinx (mythological creature)
Sphinx is a legendary creature most often spoken about in Greek and Egyptian mythologies. The sphinx primarily guards temples where deities worshipped. The deities had omniscient powers to control human destiny and cause phenomena to occur in the world. In Greek mythology, the sphinx was wise with a human head, a powerful body, haunches of a lion, and wings of a bird gazing over the world. The Greek sphinx was merciless and powerful, the father of dread and fear. The Egyptian sphinx was a benevolent male living being with savage strength. This sphinx was commanding and determined in its mission to guard the temples like its Greek and Persian counterparts. Sphinx is a Greek word meaning to bind or squeeze. The most famous sphinx in Greek literature is a winged demon with a riddle only Oedipus can answer. The Great Sphinx in Giza, Egypt, remains a major tourist destination.
Background
Building the Great Sphinx is traced back about 2,600 years BCE. The head is thought by archaeologists to be modeled after King Khafre (aka Khefren, Khufu, and Khafra), Pharaoh of Egyptian fourth dynasty. There are others who believe the Great Sphinx depicts Egyptian Queen Hetepheres II. On blocks holding the sphinx are remains of inscriptions uncovered in the 1860s suggesting the head of the sphinx was modeled after Khafre. It guards Khafre’s burial pyramid as a symbol of his royal power. Arabs refer to the Great Sphinx as the "Father of Terror." The Greek sphinx was considered a monster with wings challenging man with a riddle: What has one voice, becomes four-footed, then two-footed, and finally three-footed? Man was devoured each time the riddle was answered incorrectly to separate those who were threats to the deities from those who were faithful. Oedipus gave the right answer: man. He first crawls on all fours, then walks on two feet when grown, and leans on a staff in old age.
The Egyptian sphinx began appearing in the fifteenth century BCE on seals, ivories, and metalwork. The Greek sphinx appears centuries later on art, Oriental motifs, and decorative vases. Artists feminized the sphinx, modeling it after Queen Hetepheres II. The sphinx was eventually adopted as a national emblem of Egypt stamped on coins and decorating official documents and printed stamps.
Greek culture influenced Buddhist art, and the sphinx became part of Asian art where artists made the sphinx appear Oriental. Sphinx in India is called a "human beast," appearing in temples and palaces where it wards off evil, misfortune, and the evil eye. The sphinx in South Asia, including Burma, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, was believed to pluck away humans and drop man into the Mayon volcano to satisfy the volcano god.
Sphinxes first appear in sixteenth-century Europe in the form of a French female sphinx with coiffed hair and breasts, wearing pearls and earrings. She is a recumbent lioness.
The Masons in modern times place the sphinx at the entrance to their temples to guard their sanctuaries.
Sphinx (Mythological Creature) Today
In 1977, using new remote-sensing technology, scientists and archaeologists discovered a passageway under the Great Sphinx of Giza. The sphinx, carved from a single mass of limestone, stands 66 feet tall and 240 feet long. Archaeologists believe the face of the sphinx today is not the same as the face appeared thousands of years ago. It is painted red, scratched away, and weather-beaten. The cobra emblem remains distinguishable on its headdress. Sand buried it up to its shoulders for thousands of years when it was left unattended. A bit of a distance from the Great Sphinx is a cemetery with six hundred graves, a temple, and buildings. The site was uncovered in the 1990s. The buildings are believed to be barracks thought to have housed two thousand workers from the time of King Khafre. One archaeologist is convinced the way the sun aligns with the sphinx, the temple, and the entrance to the pyramids, that they were built to house Khafre’s father, who was incarnated as the Sun God Ra.
The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 developed the area around the Great Sphinx to tourists who ever since have flocked to the sphinx and pyramids that are a major source of tourist income for Egypt. The major challenge facing the future existence of the Great Sphinx is conserving and protecting it from tourists and further erosion from weather. Successive Egyptian governments have given short shrift to conservation. A major threat to the sphinx is armed terrorist forces operating in the region known to destroy antiquities like the sphinx.
Eighty thousand Egyptian pounds spent every month have not been enough to stop erosion. For instance, salt appears on the left paw; stones have been moving from pressure created by cement repairs to original limestone materials; faulty restoration remains a major problem; and the neck and chest are in need of repair. Modern technology must be made available to restoration workers if the sphinx is to be saved.
The City of St. Petersburg, Russia, is currently promoting its own sphinxes as tourist attractions. They watch over its people and the city with its history of conquerors and rebirth. Some of the toughest fighting of World War II took place in St. Petersburg. Two waterfront sphinxes are a mystery of history. The two Egyptian-style sphinxes have artistic value and have the face of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (circa 3,500 years ago). Greek archaeologists uncovered them in the early 1800s. British colonialists shipped them to Alexandria where they were sold to a Russian official and placed in their current location two hundred years ago. The sphinxes with faces of maidens are credited with ensuring the success of a revolutionary group’s attack in 1938. It is somewhat ironic that the strategically located sphinxes are across from the Egyptian bridge, a Moorish synagogue, and Holy Trinity Cathedral marked with blue domes (a favorite color in ancient Egypt)—still guarding temples.
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