Hieracosphinx
Wall relief of Horus at the temple of Edfu, Egypt
The hieracosphinx (Ancient Greek: ἱερακόσφιγξ) is a mythical beast found in Egyptian sculpture and European heraldry.[1] The god Haroeris ("Horus the Elder") was usually depicted as one.[2] The name Hieracosphinx comes from the Greek Ιερακόσφιγξ, which means ἱέραξ (Hawk) + Σφίγξ (Sphinx).
Description[]
The Hieracosphinx has the head of a hawk and the body of a lion. The name was coined by Herodotus to the hawk-headed sphinxes that he saw in Egypt (the other being the ram-headed sphinx which Herodotus called Criosphinx (Ancient Greek: Κριόσφιγξ)).
In popular culture[]
The Hieracosphinx is the name of a monster card in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.[3]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Gwynn-Jones, P. Ll. (1998) The Art of Heraldry : origins, symbols, designs, London : Parkgate, ISBN 1-85585-560-7
- ^ http://tarot.vn/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/CCI18122015_0105.png
- ^ "Hieracosphinx | Card Details | Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME - CARD DATABASE".
External links[]
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Categories:
- Egyptian legendary creatures
- Fantasy creatures
- Greek legendary creatures
- Heraldic beasts
- Mythological hybrids
- Mythological lions