# What did the Sphinx originally represent? · Great Sphinx of Giza > Four answers have been proposed. It was made as the king, with a human head on a lion's body, as part of his pyramid complex; it was… leads, with… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/great-sphinx/questions/QST0CTWSDFA7K8D/what-did-the-sphinx-originally-represent Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:33+00:00 --- **0** # What did the Sphinx originally represent? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·4 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: it was made as the king, with a human head on a lion's body, as part of his pyramid complex; it was…** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Four answers have been proposed. It was made as the king, with a human head on a lion's body, as part of his pyramid complex; it was… leads, with evidence 3 for: supported by its tests. Three are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet. ## Why it matters The Sphinx is the first colossal royal image in Egypt. Whether it was made as the king in lion form, as a deity, or as something later reworked into a king decides how it fits Fourth Dynasty religion and kingship⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRSPG31HX/reconstructing-the-sphinx)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRXBP1TMP/rewriting-the-history-of-the-great-sphinx)⁠[[3]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRYAY4SX6/the-sphinx-mystery-the-forgotten-origins-of-the-sanctuary-of). ## Answers 4 [**It was made as the king, with a human head on a lion's body, as part of his pyramid complex; it was…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/great-sphinx/answers/ANS0CTWSSXR57TC/it-was-made-as-the-king-with-a-human-head-on-a-lions-body-as) Supported by its tests Evidence: 3 for Most likely [**It was carved as a lion or lioness, perhaps the goddess Mafdet, and later given a king's head.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/great-sphinx/answers/ANS0CTWSTX01R4H/it-was-carved-as-a-lion-or-lioness-perhaps-the-goddess) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 2 for Disputed [**It was carved as a recumbent jackal, Anubis, guarding a moat-like enclosure, and its head was recut as a…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/great-sphinx/answers/ANS0CTWSVME7Q75/it-was-carved-as-a-recumbent-jackal-anubis-guarding-a-moat) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/great-sphinx/answers/ANS0CTWSWBW3BVW/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 1992[Lehner puts forward: it was made as the king, with a human head on a lion's body, as part of his pyramid complex; it was…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRSPG31HX/reconstructing-the-sphinx) 1. 1992[Lehner: the head wears the nemes headdress with a uraeus, royal insignia of the Fourth Dynasty.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRSPG31HX/reconstructing-the-sphinx)For: It was made as the king, with a human head on a lion's body, as part of his pyramid complex; it was… 1. 1992[Lehner: the head is small in proportion to the body, which all sides accept.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRSPG31HX/reconstructing-the-sphinx)For: It was carved as a lion or lioness, perhaps the goddess Mafdet, and later given a king's head. 1. 1992[Lehner: lehner records the head's nemes and uraeus as part of the original carving.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRSPG31HX/reconstructing-the-sphinx)Against: It was carved as a recumbent jackal, Anubis, guarding a moat-like enclosure, and its head was recut as a… 1. 2009[Temple & Temple puts forward: it was carved as a recumbent jackal, Anubis, guarding a moat-like enclosure, and its head was recut as a…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRYAY4SX6/the-sphinx-mystery-the-forgotten-origins-of-the-sanctuary-of) 1. 2009[Temple & Temple: temple argues the body's long, flat back and the enclosure's shape fit Anubis and a moat.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRYAY4SX6/the-sphinx-mystery-the-forgotten-origins-of-the-sanctuary-of)For: It was carved as a recumbent jackal, Anubis, guarding a moat-like enclosure, and its head was recut as a… 1. 2026[Reader puts forward: it was carved as a lion or lioness, perhaps the goddess Mafdet, and later given a king's head.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTWRXBP1TMP/rewriting-the-history-of-the-great-sphinx) 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/great-sphinx/questions/QST0CTWSDFA7K8D/what-did-the-sphinx-originally-represent%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/great-sphinx/questions/QST0CTWSDFA7K8D/what-did-the-sphinx-originally-represent%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/great-sphinx/questions/QST0CTWSDFA7K8D/what-did-the-sphinx-originally-represent%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/great-sphinx/questions/QST0CTWSDFA7K8D/what-did-the-sphinx-originally-represent%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/great-sphinx/questions/QST0CTWSDFA7K8D/what-did-the-sphinx-originally-represent%23add-source) Where it fits Great Sphinx of Giza **What did the Sphinx originally represent?** Key question · you're here [Was the head recarved from an earlier head?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/great-sphinx/questions/QST0CTWSDQ421NG/was-the-head-recarved-from-an-earlier-head)Most likely · the head is as first carved; its size reflects the block of Member III rock available and a deliberate layout [ Ask a question under this one ]