Sphinx Connections

To begin with, I will start off with the strange mystery that I've only recently become aware of: the hole in the head of the Great Sphinx. Confused, I quite understand. This is a rather old aereal photo, which shows the monument from above:



And here is a more recent image of the head:



As is evident, it seems to have been filled in. But why was there a hole, and why fill it up?

And I see you now at 1,011 posts. Liking the 1s, I see.

The head was recarved in ancient times, which becomes obvious when looking at it from the side:



And this isn't some mistake, a poor understanding of facial shaping or proportioning:



It was likely done in the Fourth Dynasty, by Khafre, or maybe even Khufu. It was exposed in that time period, as demonstrated by the records of a meteor hitting the Sphinx, and the Pharoah went to see the impact for himself. Khafre never built that Sphinx, at any rate.

I am still seeing 444 everywhere!

I don't think I can contribute much to this topic, but I will post if I come across anything relevant.

That's fine; I have a feeling that it'll be me mainly posting on this thread for a little while, at least.

I am very much welcome to all contributions, to clarify.

This isn't the only Sphinx, you know. I need to get the time to talk about the Pakistani possibility. Need to do that in the next few days.

Sherlock Holmes and the sphinx

There are some sphinxes in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films.

Lord Blackwood, the occult sorcerer in the 2009 film, attempts to cast a spell based on the sphinx.

This extract from a high-quality metaphysical blog looks like something that would interest you for several reasons Avacyn:

“Occultist icon Baphomet makes several appearances in the film, particularly in Blackwood’s book of spells.

Baphomet was a critical occult symbol in the Victorian Era, created in 1851 by occultist Eliphas Levi, it’s essentially a collection of symbols important to Hermeticism, Kabbalah and alchemy in order to emphasize the fundamental principles of occultism. For instance Baphomet is usually pictured with arms pointing up and down to illustrate “as above so below,” and images of Baphomet usually incorporate some representation of the four elements.

Baphomet later became synonymous with Satan (“the goat”), but first was of central significance to Aleister Crowley’s Thelema. Importantly, Levi described Baphomet as a sphinx as it is a fusion of many creatures into one being. As a symbol, the sphinx is important in Crowley’s Thelema, the Golden Dawn, and, although only recently, in Freemasonry. The Victorian Era also saw a resurgent interest in all things Egyptian, also reflected in the Egyptian influence in Thelema. And so the reliance on the sphinx in the film is wholly appropriate. Baphomet’s creator Eliphas Lévi wrote about the sphinx extensively, as did Aleister Crowley (who claimed to be the reincarnation of Lévi).”

www.thereversegear.com/sherlock-holmes-the-adventure-of-the-riddle-of-the-sphinx-part-1/

Lord Blackwood’s sphinxes:

Sherlock Holmes and the riddle of the sphinx

I think this is really funny:

More about the guardian sphinxes on the Victoria Embankment

“Two sphinxes? They are usually in pairs in Egyptian mythology, to do the guarding.”

I am glad that you found these examples interesting Avacyn . I am often down by the river but I haven’t been that way for a while now. I may go and see them again soon.

The obelisk is dated to around 1475 BC, but the bronze pseudo-Egyptian sphinxes were cast in 1881.

They were installed the wrong way round: they look at the obelisk instead of guarding it by looking outwards for approaching enemies!

They are lions with the head of a man. To show the size, here is film star Sophia Loren posing with one in 1957:

Sphinx benches on the Victoria Embankment

There are many Egyptian-themed benches along the Victoria Embankment.

I have stopped for a rest on these ornate benches many times. They face the river, so the view is wonderful. They are made of cast iron and wood. Some have camels, others have winged sphinxes.

They were all designed by George Vulliamy, who also created the two sphinxes that crouch beside Cleopatra’s Needle. The benches are supported by Greek-style female winged sphinxes with Egyptian headdresses:

I really will have to go there soon and have another look. The sphinxes are not far from that white winged monument which is above the Pindar network of bunkers and looks like the Pindar yacht. 

Two 18th century depictions of the sphinx

This picture by Danish marine architect Frederic L. Norden is from 1755:



Norden’s pictures show a little damage to the nose.

This etching is by Vivant Denon and was made in 1798:



Neither the picture nor Denon’s description shows or mentions any damage to the nose or lips of the statue.

Princess Diana and the Great Sphinx

She visited Egypt in 1992. She thought that the pyramids and sphinx were 'breathtaking'.

Harrods sphinxes

Egyptian Mohamed Al Fayed added his own personal touches to Harrods department store when he became the owner, the magnificent Egyptian Room and Egyptian Escalator in particular. Some of the statues even have his face!

Here are two of his sphinxes:

The Masonic sphinxes of Kansas City

The building of the Kansas City Scottish Rite is guarded by two sphinxes. They were created by sculptor Jorgen Dreyer in 1928.

The backs of the sphinx heads are adorned with Masonic symbols.