Hieracosphinx

The hieracosphinx (Ancient Greek: Ιερακόσφιγξ) 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 Ιέραξ (Ηawk) + 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)).

References

  1. ↑ Gwynn-Jones, P. Ll. (1998) The Art of Heraldry : origins, symbols, designs, London : Parkgate, ISBN 1-85585-560-7
  2. ↑ http://tarot.vn/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/CCI18122015_0105.png
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