Sphinx
In Egyptian and Greek myths, this creature has a human head and a lion's body. Known for posing riddles, it's a symbol of mystery and wisdom.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Egyptian mythologyGreek mythology
- Kind
- Sphinx lineage
- Trait family
- The Monstrous Broods
- Symbols
- Lion
- Kin
- Echidna (derived from)
Kinship
Lines of descent added by hand and approved one at a time.
- Echidna derived from
why
Echidna's principal mythological significance is genealogical rather than active: she is named as mother, by Typhon, of the multi-headed hound Orthrus, the many-headed Hydra of Lerna, the fire- breathing Chimera, and Cerberus, the multi-headed hound who guards the gates of the underworld; in some tellings she is also given as mother of the Sphinx and the Nemean Lion, and of the dragon that guarded the golden apples of the Hesperides.
Near this figure
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Lion bears The lion is ambivalent: solar majesty, courage, justice, guardianship, and resurrection coexist with lunar maternity, cruelty, war, destructive heat, and death.
why
In Egyptian and Greek myths, this creature has a human head and a lion's body.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Hybrid of multiple animals
why
The Sphinx, a legendary creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion, stands as an iconic symbol of wisdom, mystery, and power in both Egyptian and Greek mythology.
Behaviour
- Riddling contest devours losers
why
Known for posing riddles to travelers, it would devour those who failed to answer correctly.
Omens
- Guardian spirit omen
why
In ancient Egyptian lore, the Sphinx was often associated with the pharaohs, serving as a guardian of sacred sites and embodying the strength and wisdom of the rulers.
Offensive powers
- Devouring
why
Known for posing riddles to travelers, it would devour those who failed to answer correctly.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Threshold carries both readings
3 citations
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Sphinx."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 206.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
- Death meets
3 citations
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Sphinx."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 206.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
- Earth meets
3 citations
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Sphinx."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 206.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
- Father meets
3 citations
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Sphinx."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 206.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
- Hero meets
3 citations
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Sphinx."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 206.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
- Wise Old Man meets
3 citations
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Sphinx."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 206.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.