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The Sphinx had two principal manifestations, one generous, the
other malevolent. Enigmatic and mysterious, the Egyptian Sphinx was
a symbol of benevolence, representing wisdom, peace, guardianship, power,
and good magic.
This human headed lion appears as an emblem of royal
power and the guardian of tombs and temples.
The Greek Sphinx is very different, having wings,
women's breasts, and unfortunate habit of tearing apart anyone who could
not answer her riddles. When Oedipus eventually did so, she killed herself.
The Great Sphinx of Giza is believed to have the
likeness of Pharaoh Chephren, who lived about 2,600 BC. Unfortunately
Napoleon’s army used it for target practise and its features are
no longer recognizable. The tuneful humming from this great monument
caused by the breeze, used to puzzle people.
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