Sphinx.
The Sphinx is a mythical monster, which had the head of a human and the body of a lion. In Greek mythology, it has the head of a human, the haunches of a lion, and sometimes the wings of a bird.
Overview[]
The Sphinx was believed to be the child of Orthrus, a great monstrous two-headed hound who is also the brother of Cerberus, the guardian of the Underworld. It is said to be one of the most intelligent beings on Earth to the point where humans have regarded them as being nigh-omniscient. Their intellect and love for knowledge often has them be appointed as guardians within the Wanderer's Library.
The Greek version of the Sphinx is depicted as treacherous and merciless. Those who cannot answer its riddle suffer a fate typical in such mythological stories, as they are killed and eaten by this ravenous monster. However, not all Sphinx in Greek mythology were malevolent as some were actually benevolent in a sense. A benevolent Sphinx will pledge its loyalty to those who solve its riddle, which is shown with Andromeda who was defeated by Harry Dresden in an exchange of riddles and became the bookkeeper for his library of grimoires and other books.
Description[]
Unlike the Greek sphinx, which was a woman, the Egyptian sphinx is typically shown as a man (an androsphinx). In addition, the Egyptian sphinx was viewed as benevolent, but having a ferocious strength similar to the malevolent Greek version and both were thought of as guardians often flanking the entrances to temples.
The Sphinx is said to have guarded the entrance to the Greek city of Thebes, and to have asked a riddle of travelers to allow them passage. The riddle being, "Which creature has one voice and yet becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed?" She strangled and devoured anyone who could not answer. Oedipus solved the riddle by answering: "Man, who crawls on all fours as a baby, then walks on two feet as an adult, and then uses a walking stick in old age." This caused the Sphinx to kill herself in a rage.