The hieracosphinx (Ancient Greek: ἱερακόσφιγξ) is a mythical beast found in Egyptian sculpture and European heraldry. The god Haroeris ("Horus the Elder") was usually depicted as one. The name Hieracosphinx comes from the Greek Ιερακόσφιγξ, itself from ἱέραξ (hierax "hawk") + σφίγξ ("sphinx").
Description
The Hieracosphinx has the head of a hawk and the body of a lion. The name was coined by Herodotus for 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.
In the Real-time strategy game Age of Mythology, worshipping Bast allows players to upgrade their Sphinxes to Hieracosphinxes.
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
- "Definition of 'hieracosphinx'". www.collinsdictionary.com.
- "Hieracosphinx | Card Details | Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME - CARD DATABASE".
