Sphinx

The sphinx was depicted as having the body of a lion, wings and a human face. It is invariably male and is a benevolent creature. It is seen as the embodiment of royalty. There are three types of sphinx. The androsphinx, which is the typical lion with a human face/head. There is the criosphinx which is a ram-headed lion. Finally, there is the hierocosphonx which has the body of a lion and the head of a hawk. In Greek myth the sphinx is female and a malevolent being. It usually represents a form of divine punishment. The name sphinx comes from the Greek sphiggein, meaning to draw tight. Hence, the Greek sphinx is envisioned as a strangler. She would sit on the top of a rock and stop all travelers that came in that direction, challenging them with a riddle. According to Apollodorus, the sphinx is a daughter of Echinda and Typhon. He also said that the riddle for which the sphinx was famous for asking was taught to it by the muses.