The Sphinx

The Sphinx

Introduction

The ancient Egyptians held lions in high esteem, believing them to be symbols of strength. As such, Egyptian pharaohs placed the Sphinx outside their tombs as guardians. The famous Sphinx is located in the Giza district, west of Cairo, south of the Pyramid of Khafre and approximately 350 meters from the Pyramid of Khufu. Also known as the "Sphinx," its Arabic name means "Father of Terror." It measures 73 meters in length and stands over 21 meters tall, with a face that is 5 meters wide. Its head was carved in the likeness of Pharaoh Khafre. Legend has it that the Sphinx would often challenge passersby to solve its riddles, and those who failed would meet their demise. According to an ancient tale, the young Pharaoh Thutmose IV (1425–1408 BCE) once dreamed that the Sphinx complained about being buried in sand. After becoming king, Thutmose ordered the sand around the Sphinx to be cleared away and had his dream inscribed on a stone slab, which remains at the Sphinx’s feet to this day. The Sphinx is a majestic and awe-inspiring monument, with a solemn expression gazing off into the distance. During the Ottoman invasion of Egypt, the Sphinx’s nose and beard were reportedly used for target practice and were destroyed. The missing nose and beard are now housed in the British Museum in London. If you visit the Sphinx, be sure to stay until nightfall. After sunset, there is a spectacular sound and light show that reflects the rich history of ancient Egypt.

 Cairo, Egypt