| . | Egyptian sphinx |
Greek sphinx |
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| Appearance |
A zoomorphic mythological figure which was depicted as a recumbent lion with a human head, with no wings
The Egyptian Sphinx was exclusively male
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The Greek sphinx had the bust and head of a female lady, the wings of an eagle, the body and legs of a lioness, and the tail of a snake or dragon
The sphinx is shown crouching instead of seated
It did not have a monstrous size, the Greek Sphinx was probably imagined as the size of a large lion |
| Symbol |
A symbol of protection. It had no mysterious or deceitful nature
Egyptian Sphinxes where guardians, placed in association with architectural structures such as pyramids, royal tombs and temples
Since its form combines human and animal parts into one body, the sphinx usually symbolizes the union of mind and body, the intellectual human mind and physical strength of the lion |
A demon of death, devouring, destruction and bad luck
In Greek myth the sphinx was sent by Hera to punish mankind for displeasing the Goddess, she preyed on the youths of the land, devouring all those who failed to solve her riddle.
Oedipus solved the riddle, and the Sphinx casted herself off a mountainside in despair and in accordance with an oracle declaring the terms of her demise.
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| Examples |
The Egyptian sphinxes where produced in the form of statues
The largest and most famous is the Great Sphinx of Giza, the head of the sphinx now is believed to be that of Khafre
Experts in identification, took various measurements of the size, angles and proportions of the head and concluded that it did not match known representations of Khafre's face. There was a greater resemblance to Khafre's elder brother Djedefre
This Example is largest monolith statue in the world, it stands 73.5 meters long, 6 m wide, and 20 m high.
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The Greek Sphinx is known primarily through the writings of early authors, which few physical representations
Such representations most commonly appeared on ivories, painted plaques, and pottery
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