M.O.M Rating: XXXX
The Sphinx is a mythical creature with a human head but the body of a lion. It originated in ancient Egypt, and a large number of Sphinx statues survive to this day. The most famous of these is located at Giza, near modern-day Cairo. The Sphinx was later imported into Greek mythology, where the association with riddles began. Here, the Sphinx would challenge passers-by to answer her riddle, and would strangle anyone who could not answer. Her puzzle was finally solved by Oedipus, whereupon the Sphinx killed herself.
In the world of Harry Potter, the Sphinx is used by wizards to guard doorways and treasure, and can become aggressive when whatever it is guarding is threatened. The Sphinx has the power of speech, but usually converses only in riddles [FB].
A Sphinx was placed in the maze for the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament. She set a riddle for the Champions, and moved aside when they had supplied the correct answer, which in this case was "spider"
