Sphinx

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Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt
Egyptian sphinx (Louvre)
Ram sphinxes (Karnak Temple)

The sphinx (Greek: σφίγξ, from σφίγγειν sphíngein "to strangle"; possibly also derived from ancient Egyptian: {{lang|egy|spanch]] "that which receives life"; the traditional ancient Egyptian name of the sphinx, however, was not this, but Hu "protector") is a hybrid being with a human head and a mostly winged animal body that can show itself to the clairvoyant gaze. Ideally, one can see the four-beast (also called four-form or tetramorph), which unites all four sphinx animals, i.e. man, eagle, lion and bull. Occasionally, one even sees a dragon or reptile tail, which points back to a very early stage of human evolution. In Egypt, however, sphinx figures with ram, hawk and sparrowhawk heads were also common.

The Sphinx as an ambiguous symbol

„The clairvoyant has indeed before him what is recorded in the Sphinx, where the Sphinx has in particular the distinct lion's body, then the eagle's wings, but also something bull-like - in the oldest representations of the Sphinx there was even the reptile's tail, indicating the ancient reptilian form - and towards the front we have the human form harmonising the other parts.“ (Lit.:GA 106, p. 102)

Like all religious symbols, the four sphinx animals can be interpreted ambiguously. In the highest sense, they are the four leading Cherubim, representing the supporting pillars of the zodiac. However, they can also be regarded as the lower astral forces from which the human form only gradually emerges and thus correspond to the four group souls of Lemurian and Atlantean man.

The figure of the sphinx and the lesser guardian of the threshold

The figure of the Sphinx is also closely related to the lesser Guardian of the Threshold:

„Not everything physical about man is destined to be redeemed. A dross remains from the human being. This dross that remains is constantly present in man, therefore he is under the influence of the astral elemental beings; the corresponding elemental being is attached to him. Man is therefore in constant contact with that which is an impeding enemy, a disturber of his development. In German mythology, the entities that attach themselves to the human being are called the albs. They appear in an undefined form in the so-called nightmare. These dreams manifest themselves in such a way that one believes a being is sitting on one's chest. When one becomes astrally sighted, one first sees these beings (The Dweller on the Threshold in Bulwer's "Zanoni"). It is the reflection of man's astral acquaintance with his alb, a man's fighting back against his enemy. The being is the projection of an astral being in ourselves. It is the [lesser] guardian of the threshold. The man who cannot overcome the fear of the inner enemy usually turns back at the gate of initiation.

In the higher realm of the astral plan, it is [the image of] the Sphinx, who must be thrown into the abyss before one can progress. The human being who has to develop is approaching this moment. But not every human being has to go through this stage of development in the same way. It is possible that he will be led through it as if blindfolded. By developing our moral nature we can overcome. If one can bring the moral nature higher before one becomes sighted in the astral world, the appearance of the guardian of the threshold becomes less terrible.“ (Lit.:GA 89, p. 134f)

Literature
References to the work of Rudolf Steiner follow Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works (CW or GA), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach/Switzerland, unless otherwise stated.
Email: verlag@steinerverlag.com URL: www.steinerverlag.com.
Index to the Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner - Aelzina Books
A complete list by Volume Number and a full list of known English translations you may also find at Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works
Rudolf Steiner Archive - The largest online collection of Rudolf Steiner's books, lectures and articles in English.
Rudolf Steiner Audio - Recorded and Read by Dale Brunsvold
steinerbooks.org - Anthroposophic Press Inc. (USA)
Rudolf Steiner Handbook - Christian Karl's proven standard work for orientation in Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works for free download as PDF.
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