Editing Sphinx (section)

{{Short description|Mythological creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion}}
{{About|sphinxes in general|the great sphinx statue at Giza|Great Sphinx of Giza|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox mythical creature
| name = Sphinx
| image = Sphinx CdM Paris DeRidder865 n2.jpg
| caption = Attic [[red-figure]] [[Pyxis (vessel)|pyxis]], 2nd half of the 5th century BC. From [[Nola]], Italy.
| Grouping = [[Legendary creatures]]
| Sub_Grouping = 
| Details = 
| AKA = 
| Similar_entities = [[Griffin]], [[Manticore]], [[Cherub]], [[Lamassu]], [[Narasimha]]
| Region = Egyptian, and Greek 
}}

A '''sphinx''' ({{IPAc-en|s|f|ɪ|ŋ|k|s}} {{respell|SFINKS}}; {{langx|grc|σφίγξ}}, {{IPA|grc-x-attic|spʰíŋks|pron}};<ref> {{langx|grc|label=[[Aeolic Greek|Boeotian]]|φίξ|phíx}}, {{IPA|grc-x-aeolic|pʰíːks|pron}}</ref> {{plural form|'''sphinxes'''}} or '''sphinges''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|f|ɪ|n|dʒ|iː|z}}) is a [[mythical creature]] with the head of a human, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle.

In [[Culture of Greece|Greek tradition]], the sphinx is a treacherous and merciless being with the head of a woman, the [[haunches]] of a lion, and the wings of a [[bird]]. According to Greek myth, she challenges those who encounter her to answer a [[riddle]], and kills and eats them when they fail to solve the riddle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.hsc.edu/drjclassics/texts/Oedipus/sphinx.shtm |title=Dr. J's Lecture on Oedipus and the Sphinx |publisher=People.hsc.edu |access-date=15 May 2014}}</ref> This deadly version of a sphinx appears in the myth and drama of [[Oedipus]].<ref>Kallich, Martin. "Oedipus and the Sphinx." Oedipus: Myth and Drama. N.p.: Western, 1968. N. pag. Print.</ref>

In [[Egyptian mythology]], in contrast, the sphinx is typically depicted as a man (an '''androsphinx''' ({{langx|grc|ἀνδρόσφιγξ}})), and is seen as a benevolent representation of strength and ferocity, usually of a [[pharaoh]].{{Citation Needed|date=October 2024}} Unlike Greek or Levantine/Mesopotamian ones, Egyptian sphinxes were not winged.

Both the Greek and Egyptian sphinxes were thought of as guardians, and statues of them often flank the entrances to temples.<ref>Stewart, Desmond. Pyramids and the Sphinx. [S.l.]: Newsweek, U.S., 72. Print.</ref> During the [[Renaissance]], the sphinx enjoyed a major revival in European decorative art. During this period, images of the sphinx were initially similar to the ancient Egyptian version, but when later exported to other cultures, the sphinx was often conceived of quite differently, partly due to varied translations of descriptions of the originals, and partly through the evolution of the concept as it was integrated into other cultural traditions.{{Citation Needed|date=July 2024}}

However, depictions of the sphinx are generally associated with grand architectural structures, such as royal [[tomb]]s or religious temples.