Each civilization has its own symbols, which are considered integral parts of the people, their culture and history. The Sphinx of Ancient Egypt is an immortal proof of the power, strength and greatness of the country, a silent reminder of the divine origin of its rulers, who have sunk into centuries, but left an image of eternal life on earth. The national symbol of Egypt is considered one of the greatest architectural monuments of the past, which still inspires involuntary fear with its impressiveness, a halo of secrets, mystical legends and centuries of history.
Monument in numbers
The Egyptian Sphinx is known to everyone and every inhabitant on earth. The monument is carved from a monolithic rock, has the body of a lion and the head of a man (according to some sources - a pharaoh). The length of the statue is 73 m, height - 20 m. The symbol of the power of royal power is located on the Giza plateau on the western coast of the Nile River and is surrounded by a wide and rather deep moat. The thoughtful gaze of the Sphinx is directed to the east, towards that point in the heavens where the Sun rises. The monument has been covered with sand many times and has been restored more than once. The statue was completely cleared of sand only in 1925, striking the imagination of the inhabitants of the planet with its scale and size.
History of the sculpture: facts against legends
In Egypt, the Sphinx is considered the most mysterious and mystical monument. His story has attracted great interest and special attention of historians, writers, directors and researchers for many years. Everyone who has had a chance to touch the eternity that the statue represents offers their own version of its origin. The locals call the stone sight "the father of horror" because the Sphinx is the keeper of many mysterious legends and a favorite place for tourists who love mysteries and fantasy. According to researchers, the history of the Sphinx has more than 13 centuries. Presumably, it was built in order to record the astronomical phenomenon - the reunion of the three planets.
origin myth
Until now, there is no reliable information about what this statue symbolizes, why it was built and when. The lack of history is replaced by legends that are passed from mouth to mouth and told to tourists. The fact that the Sphinx is the oldest and largest monument in Egypt gives rise to mysterious and ridiculous stories about it. There is an assumption that the statue guards the tombstones of the greatest pharaohs - the pyramids of Cheops, Mykerin and Khafre. Another legend says that the stone statue symbolizes the personality of the pharaoh Khafre, the third - that it is a statue of the god Horus (god of heaven, half-man, half-falcon), watching the ascent of his father - the Sun God Ra.
legends
IN ancient Greek mythology The Sphinx is referred to as an ugly monster. According to the Greeks, the legends of Ancient Egypt about this monster sound like this: a creature with a lion's body and a human head gave birth to Echidna and Typhon (a half-snake woman and a giant with a hundred dragon heads). It had the face and chest of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. The monster lived not far from Thebes, lay in wait for people and asked them a strange question: “Which living being moves on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?” None of the wanderers trembling with fear could give the Sphinx an intelligible answer. After which the monster sentenced them to death. However, the day came when the wise Oedipus was able to solve his riddle. “This is a man in childhood, maturity and old age,” he replied. After that, the crushed monster rushed from the top of the mountain and crashed against the rocks.
According to the second version of the legend, in Egypt the Sphinx was once God. One day, the heavenly ruler fell into an insidious trap of the sands, called the "cell of oblivion", and fell asleep in it with eternal sleep.
Real facts
Despite the mysterious undertones of the legends, real story no less mystical and mysterious. According to the initial opinion of scientists, the Sphinx was built at the same time as the pyramids. However, in the ancient papyri, from which information about the building of the pyramids was obtained, there is not a single mention of a stone statue. The names of architects and builders who created grandiose tombs for the pharaohs are known, but the name of the person who gave the world the Egyptian Sphinx is still unknown.
True, a few centuries after the creation of the pyramids, the first facts about the statue appear. The Egyptians call her "shepes ankh" - "a living image." Scientists could not give the world any more information and scientific explanation of these words.
But at the same time, the cult image of the mysterious Sphinx - a winged monster maiden - is mentioned in Greek mythology, numerous fairy tales and legends. The hero of these tales, depending on the author, periodically changes his appearance, appearing in some versions as a half-man, half-lion, and in others as a winged lioness.
The story of the Sphinx
Another puzzle for scientists was the chronicle of Herodotus, who in 445 BC. described in great detail the process of building the pyramids. He told the world interesting stories about how the structures were erected, for how long and how many slaves were involved in their construction. The narration of the "father of history" touched even such nuances as the food of the slaves. But, oddly enough, Herodotus never mentioned the stone Sphinx in his work. In none of the subsequent records, the fact of the erection of the monument was also found.
He helped scientists shed light on the work of the Roman writer Pliny the Elder "Natural History". In his notes, he talks about the next cleansing of the monument from sand. Based on this, it becomes clear why Herodotus did not leave the description of the Sphinx to the world - the monument at that time was buried under a layer of sand drifts. So how many times has he been trapped in the sand?
The first "restoration"
Judging by the inscription left on the stone stele between the monster's paws, Pharaoh Thutmose I spent a year freeing the monument. Ancient writings tell that, being a prince, Thutmose fell asleep at the foot of the Sphinx and had a dream in which the god Harmakis appeared to him. He predicted the prince's ascension to the throne of Egypt and ordered the statue to be released from the sand trap. After some time, Thutmose successfully became pharaoh and remembered the promise given to the deity. He ordered not only to dig up the giant, but also to restore it. Thus, the first revival of the legend of Egypt took place in the 15th century. BC. It was then that the world learned about the grandiose construction and the unique cult monument of Egypt.
It is known for certain that after the revival of the Sphinx by Pharaoh Thutmose, it was once again dug up during the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty, under the Roman emperors who captured Ancient Egypt, and the Arab rulers. In our time, it was again freed from the sands in 1925. Until now, the statue has to be cleaned after sandstorms, as it is an important tourist attraction.
Why is the monument missing a nose?
Despite the antiquity of the sculpture, it has practically survived in its original form, embodying the Sphinx. Egypt (the photo of the monument is presented above) managed to preserve its architectural masterpiece, but failed to protect it from the barbarism of people. The statue does not have this moment nose. Scientists suggest that one of the pharaohs, for reasons unknown to science, ordered to beat off the nose of the statue. According to other sources, the monument was damaged by Napoleon's army, firing a cannon at his face. The British, on the other hand, chopped off the beard of the monster and sent it to their museum.
However, in the later records of the historian Al-Maqrizi from 1378, it is said that the stone statue no longer had a nose. According to him, one of the Arabs, wanting to atone for religious sins (the Koran forbade the depiction of human faces), chipped off the giant's nose. In response to such a crime and abuse of the Sphinx, the sands began to take revenge on people, advancing on the lands of Giza.
As a result, scientists came to the conclusion that in Egypt the Sphinx lost its nose as a result of strong winds and floods. Although this assumption has not yet found real confirmation.
The Stunning Secrets of the Sphinx
In 1988, as a result of exposure to caustic factory smoke, a decent part of a stone block (350 kg) broke off from the monument. UNESCO, concerned about the appearance and condition of the tourist and cultural site, resumed repairs, thereby paving the way for new research. As a result of a thorough study of the stone blocks of the pyramid of Cheops and the Sphinx by Japanese archaeologists, a hypothesis was put forward that the monument was built much earlier than the great tomb of the pharaoh. The conclusion was a stunning discovery for historians, who assumed that the pyramid, the Sphinx, and other funerary structures were contemporaries. The second, no less surprising discovery was a long narrow tunnel discovered under the left paw of a predator, connected to the pyramid of Cheops.
After Japanese archaeologists, hydrologists took up the most ancient monument. They found traces of erosion on his body from a large water stream that moved from north to south. After a series of studies, hydrologists came to the conclusion that the stone lion was a silent witness to the flood of the Nile - a biblical catastrophe that occurred about 8-12 thousand years ago. American researcher John Anthony West explained the traces of water erosion on the body of a lion and their absence on the head as evidence that the Sphinx existed back in time ice age and dates from any period up to 15 thousand years BC. e. According to French archaeologists, the history of Ancient Egypt can boast of the oldest monument that existed even at the time of the death of Atlantis.
Thus, the stone statue tells us about the existence of the greatest civilization, which managed to erect such a majestic structure, which became the immortal image of the Past.
The admiration of the ancient Egyptians before the Sphinx
The pharaohs of Egypt regularly made pilgrimages to the foot of the giant, which symbolized the great past of their country. They made sacrifices on the altar, which was between his paws, burned incense, receiving from the giant a silent blessing on the kingdom and throne. The Sphinx was for them not only the incarnation of the sun god, but also a sacred image that gave them hereditary and legitimate power from their ancestors. He personified powerful Egypt, the history of the country was reflected in its majestic form, embodying each image of the new pharaoh and turning modernity into a component of eternity. Ancient writings glorified the Sphinx as a great creator god. His image reunited the past, present and future.
Astronomical explanation of the stone statue
According to the official version, the Sphinx would have been built in 2500 BC. e. by order of Pharaoh Khafre during the reign of the Fourth Ruling Dynasty of Pharaohs. A huge lion is located among other majestic structures on the stone plateau of Giza - the three pyramids.
Astronomical studies have shown that the location of the statue was chosen not by blind intuition, but in accordance with the point of intersection of the path of heavenly bodies. It served as the equatorial point, indicating the exact location on the horizon of the place of sunrise on the day of the vernal equinox. According to astronomers, the Sphinx was built 10.5 thousand years ago.
It is noteworthy that the pyramids of Giza are located on the earth in exactly the same order as the three stars in the sky in that year. According to legend, the Sphinx and the pyramids fixed the position of the stars, the astronomical time, which was called the first. Since Orion was the heavenly personification of the ruler at that time, man-made structures were built to depict the stars of his belt in order to perpetuate and fix the time of his power.
The Great Sphinx as a tourist attraction
Currently, a giant lion with a human head attracts millions of tourists who are eager to see the legendary stone sculpture shrouded in the darkness of centuries of history and many mystical legends. The interest of all mankind in it is due to the fact that the secret of the creation of the statue remained undisclosed, buried under the sands. It is hard to imagine how many secrets the Sphinx keeps in itself. Egypt (photos of the monument and the pyramids can be seen on any tourist portal) can be proud of its great history, outstanding people, grandiose monuments, the truth about which their creators took with them to the kingdom of Anubis - the god of death.
Great and impressive is the huge stone Sphinx, whose history has remained unsolved and full of secrets. Still, the calm gaze of the statue is directed into the distance, and its appearance is still imperturbable. How many centuries has he been a silent witness of human suffering, the vanity of rulers, the sorrows and misfortunes that befell the Egyptian land? How many secrets does the Great Sphinx keep in itself? Unfortunately, all these questions have not been answered for many years.
Unusual and mysterious four-legged pets that do not have hair, but have a truly royal arrogance and grace, are well-deservedly popular among cat lovers. There are several versions about the origin of this breed, and the reason for the loss of wool is still a mystery. Many experts suggest that initially this fact was the result of an unusual mutation. And then such unique kitties were crossed with various short-haired breeds until they achieved the appearance of the pets that they have today. In the modern world, there are several breeders of this breed recognized by the world community. But each federation has its own requirements and standards for the purity of the breed and lines.
The offspring of the Canadian Sphynx is born completely without hair on the body, only the muzzle and tail have a small amount of short hair. In Canada, the history of the Sphynx breed began with a lonely kitten found on the streets of Toronto in 1978. The little prankster, was severely crippled and completely hairless, after surgical treatment, the kitten stayed with the owner of the Siamese cattery, who later, due to deteriorating health, gave the unique cat to his close friend. A little later in 1995 in Minnesota, a short-haired cat also gave birth to a hairless kitten, and a year later a second one of the same. These kittens were sold to a cattery, where the breeding program for this breed has already begun. It is from the pets of this cattery that the selection of a naked cat, called the "Canadian Sphynx", began in 1981.
At present, such cats are still in the process of selection, and no one knows what the sphinx will look like in ten years. But one thing is already obvious, such animals are very different from other breeds and have a lot of specific features, including in the field of metabolism. Therefore, if your Canadian is sick, then you should only consult a veterinarian who specializes in this breed and is familiar with the structural features of such cats.
Of particular interest is the fact that the body temperature of animals of this breed is much higher than that of a person, so they always seem to the owner hot when touched, and in kittens sometimes the normal temperature can be within 42 ° C . It is also worth noting that given the complete absence of wool, excess or underweight in Canadians is clearly visible visually. By the way, such a criterion is very strictly evaluated at exhibitions, therefore, the owner of such a pet who plans to participate in exhibitions must strictly monitor the daily nutritional diet of the ward.
The Canadian Sphynx has many distinct varieties within the breed, with some lines particularly prone to obesity, which can be expressed in the presence of an ugly drooping belly. Depending on the purpose for which you acquire such a kitten, this fact must be taken into account. It is also worth noting that the size of the skin of this cat exceeds the size of the body so much that even stretched out to its full height, the skin of your kitten will lie in beautiful folds. 
It is especially important that this breed is practically the only one from the cat brotherhood that easily and with pleasure endures toilet procedures, because Canadians are not afraid of water at all. Unusual is the feature that such cats sweat all over the body, giving your pet a slight brownish tint, reminiscent of a tan. Moreover, the sweat of Canadians does not have a strong pungent odor, so it does not irritate the owners at all, although light brown stains may remain in those places where your pet is used to sleeping.
The skin of sphinxes is very strong and insensitive, due to this, various injections during periods of treatment do not cause them much discomfort. Although it is quite difficult to pierce such a shell, therefore, injections are mainly made in the area of \u200b\u200bthe withers, where the skin is somewhat thinner than in all other parts of the body. By the way, due to the complete absence of wool, such cats are very popular as pets for people prone to allergic reactions. The peculiarity of such cats is simply incredible that, despite the absence of a warm coat, they tolerate even extreme cold quite well, although they still prefer to live in warmth.
The Canadian Sphynx is truly a unique breed, both in appearance and in its physical features. Perhaps that is why such pets have long been highly valued and were the prerogative of the reigning dynasties. Sometimes hairless cats were even credited with some magical skills and the ability to protect the family from an evil look and bad intentions.
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Name the most unusual cat breed you know. Surely most of the respondents said that this is a sphinx. These cats have been leading the exotic rating for a long time, and they are not going to give up their positions. Hairless cats are popular all over the world, they have millions of fans, and millions of anti-fans - yes, not everyone loves and understands sphinxes. Contradictions are caused by their appearance, it is very unusual. If you are among the exotic lovers, you are attracted to the Sphynx cat breed, then this article will be useful for you. You will learn the history of the breed, Interesting Facts, get acquainted with the description of the nature of naked cats, find information on care and maintenance.
History of the breed
At the mention of the Sphinx breed, Egypt immediately appears. But actually direct relationship hairless cats do not have to this ancient country. There is only an assumption that cats without hair existed already in ancient times, as evidence, scientists cite rock paintings. As you know, in Egypt, cats were in the role of a deity, so it is not surprising that there are a lot of images of these animals there.
The most plausible pictures were found in Mexico, among the Aztecs - this people definitely knew and loved bald cats. In addition, I managed to see these ancient animals with my own eyes and capture them in the photo - they were Mexican hairless cats. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the 20th century, the breed disappeared, but before that it made a splash at American exhibitions. These cats were somewhat different from modern sphinxes in physique, and most importantly, in the cold season, their hair partially grew.
One of the progenitors of the modern Sphynx was born in Canada in 1966. An ordinary cat gave birth to a hairless kitten - this happens, since the absence of wool, in fact, is a genetic mutation. Then, in Canada, it happened spontaneously. The hostess left the unusual cat for herself, and when he grew up, she brought him to his mother in order to get bald offspring again. The experiment was a success, hairless kittens were born.
Around the same time, the same story happened somewhere, and so by the beginning of the 70s there were already two branches of hairless cats. Two is better than one, but still very, very few for selection. Due to the lack of “personnel”, the breeding of the breed went with great difficulties, the kittens were dying, the cats were sick - fresh blood was needed. A few more times, by chance, as a result of a spontaneous mutation, bald kittens appeared, and this saved the situation. Soon several animals were sent to Europe to develop a separate branch, where they began to cross with the Devon Rex breed, which is the closest in parameters.
The breed was recognized, moreover, today there are seven varieties of sphinxes in the world.
The skin of Sphynx cats is covered with folds and wrinkles. If you look closely, you can see a strong resemblance to human skin. It is also interesting that cats sweat all over their bodies. Sweat has a specific smell and leaves dark spots on the body of the animal.
The body of hairless cats is very hot. It's all about the absence of wool - the body directly gives off heat. Therefore, despite the warm body, sphinxes must be protected from the cold. They like to bask on a radiator or under a table lamp - it is necessary to create conditions for them in which the cat could always find a warm and cozy place for itself. Keep in mind that the sun can burn your pet! Control sunbathing, and accustom to tanning gradually.
The less hair and fluff on the kitten, the more bald the adult cat will be.
Sphynxes are very difficult to tolerate any disease, they quickly develop dehydration, they are rapidly losing strength. At the first sign of a serious illness, the animal is recommended to be taken to the veterinarian.
Sphynxes are devoid of hair, but in some places it is partially preserved or grows back with hormonal surges. There are hairs or fluff on the muzzle and head, paws, and on the tip of the tail.
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The character of the sphinx
Sphinxes have a versatile and rich character. These are smart, intelligent animals that show a complete understanding of the words and requests of the owner, easily remember simple commands, their name. Hairless cats prefer to lead an active lifestyle, they like to follow the owner, overcome obstacles, jump from one object to another. There is something doggy about them, they also like to play, bring objects, they are very attached to the owner, they miss him, they are looking for communication.
The breed is considered decorative, so the instinct of a hunter in cats is almost absent. They get along well with other animals and are not afraid of large dogs. They are kind and affectionate, but sometimes they can turn into a real fury, showing the enemy teeth and claws. Each individual has character traits; behavior is not always a trait of the breed.
The owners of sphinxes say that the animals seem to understand that they are completely dependent on a person and are grateful to him for his care. This breed of cats lacks not only wool, but also whiskers, the most important cat “device”. Find yourself on the street or in the wild, the sphinx will die almost immediately.
Sphinx breed varieties
Today there are seven varieties of the Sphynx breed. Three of them are called pioneers - the main branches of the breed, which arose as a result of spontaneous mutation, in a natural way. The rest are the product of selection, they were bred after.
As a result of spontaneous mutations appeared:
- Canadian Sphynx;
- Don Sphynx;
- Kohona (rubber, Hawaiian hairless)
As a result of breeding programs, the following were bred:
- Peterbald, was obtained by crossing the Don Sphynx and Oriental cat.
- Minskin, the Canadian Sphynx, Munchkin, Devon Rex and Burmese were used for breeding.
- Bambinle is a Canadian Sphynx and Munchkin.
- The Ukrainian Levkoy was obtained by crossing the Don Sphynx, Peterbald, Oriental, Scottish Fold, Persian, Domestic.
Sphynx Care
Sphynx sweat all over the body, sweat appears on the skin and remains in the form of a dark coating. If the cat gets dirty very quickly, then it may be necessary to reconsider her diet. The skin is cleaned with a damp soft sponge. The cat can be bathed, but not more than twice a month. It is recommended to use a shampoo with low acidity. After bathing, the cat is thoroughly dried and taken to a warm, dry place.
Sphinxes must be protected from cold and drafts. Optimum temperature the content is considered to be 20-25 degrees, with lower thermometer readings, the cat must be insulated by putting on a suit.
The dark secret accumulates inside the ears, it is periodically cleaned with a cotton swab.
The cat's claws are regularly cut, the very tip, since in the conditions of an apartment it is impossible to sharpen them qualitatively. Long claws can injure the delicate skin of the animal.
Adult sphinxes rarely get sick, kittens are vaccinated, preferably with live vaccines. Lactating cats often have too much milk and this leads to the development of mastitis.
Kittens stay with their mother for a long time, they need to grow up and get stronger. Early selected kittens may die.
Sphynx cats are perhaps the most unusual representatives of the domestic feline kingdom. They seem to be some kind of alien creatures. There are many misconceptions about them that need to be resolved.
Sphinxes - Egyptian cats
In mythology, the sphinx is a monster with the body of a lion and the face and chest of a woman. The most famous statue of the Great Sphinx. According to the definition of Titus Flavius, a Roman scientist and writer, the Egyptian sphinx is a symbol of strength and intelligence: the lion's body denotes strength, the human face - the mind. The sphinx needs both strength and intelligence to guard pyramids and temples full of treasures. Contrary to the associative opinion that cats - sphinxes - came from Egypt, the Aztecs first mentioned them. They were called Mexican hairless cats.
An interesting fact: for most of the year they were really bald, but with the onset of cold weather they were overgrown with wool, which they then “dumped” during the period of warming. There were also mentions of bald cats - participants in cat shows of the 20s, but the last pair of animals, unfortunately, did not leave offspring. In the 1930s, hairless cats were reported from France, Morocco, and the United States. French biologist E. Lethar registered hairless kittens born from a pair of Siamese cats and described a mutation caused by the h gene.
All sphinxes are equally bald
The first modern hairless kitten was born to a Canadian cat in 1966. Breeders became interested in the original cat, and did everything possible to continue the naked race. And in the late 80s, the first hairless cat was born in Rostov-on-Don, becoming the founder of the Don Sphynx family.
At the same time, felinologists from St. Petersburg bred the Peterbald breed, regardless of their Rostov colleagues. All three varieties have not only external, but also emotional differences. Canadian sphinxes are considered the most calm and friendly, distinguished by rounded ears and smooth lines. In the Don Sphynx, the muzzle is more elongated and sharply defined, while the Peterbalds are distinguished by the greatest sophistication, huge ears and elongated proportions.
In addition, for each of the breeds, coat options are acceptable - from completely bald "rubber" cats without whiskers and eyebrows to covered with wool. different lengths fully or partially. It's funny that at first they tried to treat the first-born sphinx cubs for lichen, until they realized that the absence of hair is a normal feature of their body.
Sphinx differs from a fluffy cat only in appearance
Body temperature in adult sphinxes can reach 39 degrees. They love to sleep under a blanket next to the owner - they warm themselves. The same feature is due to the rapid course of colds and excellent appetite - the metabolism of the Sphynx is much faster than that of cats of other breeds. If the room in which the sphinx lives is heated too well, and the temperature in it exceeds 20-25 degrees, brown wax-like sweat appears on the body of the animal. However, the latter is easy to wipe off with a damp cloth.
The skin of sphinxes is quite dense, which simplifies the procedure for injections during treatment. It will be quite simple to give an injection to a "naked" animal. Due to the specific features of the skin, sphinxes are shown short-term sunbathing, but in no case do not leave your pet for a long time under the scorching midday rays - the skin of these cats burns faster than humans. Most sphinxes love to bathe, but detergents should be chosen from the gentle children's category.
Sphinxes are exotic, which means they have character
Despite the frightening appearance for most, sphinxes are distinguished by a friendly character and a high degree of socialization. This is an animal that is directly contraindicated to be alone for a long time. Many breeders notice in their pets "dog" character traits - incredible devotion, sociability and ability to train.
The Sphynx is one of the few cats that will respond and come running when they hear their name, not because you are holding a piece of sausage in your hands, but simply because you called. In addition, these are cats that look like humans - they have natural fingers on their paws, and sphinxes prefer to sleep under the covers, with their heads on the pillow. The Sphinx puts itself on the same level with the owner, preferring an equal relationship, rather than the royal behavior inherent in cats.
The sphinx is hard to care for
Thanks to an enviable metabolism, sphinxes are distinguished by excellent appetite and, at the same time, a complete lack of pickiness. But there are also pitfalls here - unlike the usual breeds of cats, the Sphynx rarely leaves the bowl half empty, so you need to feed it in portions and very carefully to prevent overeating.
Particular attention should be paid to the ears of the animal - increased secretion provokes the accumulation of plaque faster than in an ordinary cat. Some veterinarians, not knowing the specifics of the breed, begin to treat the cat for ear mites, so be careful and warn the doctor about the features of your pet that you know. Otherwise, the Sphynx is much easier to care for and maintain than long-haired cats. It does not leave hair on clothes and is highly clean.
Weak immunity and health
Elongated proportions, curved front paws and lack of hair give the impression of being gentle and defenseless, including against viruses and infections. Throw in the stereotype of the good health of outbred cats and the weakness of purebreds, and you get the myth that you won't leave the veterinarian's office with a Sphynx. In fact, the immunity of the sphinx is in no way inferior to the immunity of the yard Vaska, and even vice versa. Elevated body temperature helps to quickly cope with viruses and infections. Even if the sphinx caught a cold, he will recover pretty quickly. Don't be afraid to arrange for your pet physical exercise- games with a fishing rod, balls and in cat complexes will strengthen the body and help maintain the health of the sphinx.
Sphynx is a hypoallergenic cat
Many allergy sufferers who dream of having a pet at home opt for sphinxes, arguing that they lack wool. In fact, the main cause of cat allergies is not wool, but an allergenic protein found in saliva, sebaceous gland secretions, and particles of the animal's epidermis. Symptoms may be reduced because the Sphynx licks less often and does not leave allergens along with the hair throughout the apartment, but this does not mean that the reaction will be completely absent.
If you decide to get a bald pet and are convinced that the reaction to it is not as intense as to fluffy cats, remember a few simple rules. First, intact males produce more allergen than neutered males. Secondly, dark cats produce significantly more allergens than light ones. And thirdly, cats produce more allergen than cats. In fact, no breed of cat is confirmed to be hypoallergenic, so you need to select a pet individually.
The Sphinx of Giza is one of the oldest, largest and most mysterious monuments ever created by man. Disputes about its origin are still going on. We've rounded up 10 little-known facts about the majestic monument in the Sahara desert.
1. The Great Sphinx of Giza is not a Sphinx
Experts say that the Egyptian sphinx cannot be called a traditional image of the sphinx. In classical Greek mythology, the sphinx was described as having the body of a lion, the head of a woman, and the wings of a bird. In Giza, there is actually a sculpture of an androsphinx, since it has no wings.
2. Initially, the sculpture had several other names
The ancient Egyptians did not originally call this giant creature the "Great Sphinx". In the text on the Dream Stele, dated to about 1400 BC, the Sphinx is referred to as the "Statue of the great Khepri". When the future pharaoh Thutmose IV was sleeping next to her, he had a dream in which the god Khepri-Ra-Atum came to him and asked him to free the statue from the sand, and in return promised that Thutmose would become the ruler of all Egypt. Thutmose IV dug up a statue that had been covered with sand over the centuries, which after that became known as Horem-Akhet, which translates as "Mountains on the horizon." The medieval Egyptians called the Sphinx "balhib" and "bilhou".
3. No one knows who built the Sphinx
Even today, people do not know the exact age of this statue, and modern archaeologists argue about who could have created it. The most popular theory is that the Sphinx arose during the reign of Khafre (the fourth dynasty of the Old Kingdom), i.e. The age of the statue dates back to around 2500 BC.
This pharaoh is credited with the creation of the pyramid of Khafre, as well as the Giza necropolis and a number of ritual temples. The proximity of these structures to the Sphinx prompted a number of archaeologists to believe that it was Khafre who ordered the construction of a majestic monument with his own face.
Other scholars believe that the statue is much older than the pyramid. They argue that the statue's face and head bear evidence of apparent water damage and put forward the theory that the Great Sphinx already existed during the era when the region faced extensive flooding (6th millennium BC).
4. Whoever built the Sphinx ran away from it headlong after it was built.
American archaeologist Mark Lehner and Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass have discovered large stone blocks, toolkits and even fossilized dinners under a layer of sand. This clearly indicates that the workers were in such a hurry to get away that they did not even take their tools with them.
5The Laborers Who Built The Statue Were Fed Well
Most scholars think that the people who built the Sphinx were slaves. However, their diet suggests something completely different. As a result of excavations led by Mark Lehner, it was found that the workers regularly dined on beef, lamb and goat meat.
6 The Sphinx Was Once Covered In Paint
Although now the Sphinx is grey-sandy in color, it was once completely covered in bright paint. Remains of red paint can still be found on the face of the statue, and there are traces of blue and yellow paint on the body of the Sphinx.
7. The sculpture was buried under the sand for a long time.
The Great Sphinx of Giza fell victim to the quicksands of the Egyptian desert several times during its long existence. The first known restoration of the Sphinx almost completely buried under the sand occurred shortly before the 14th century BC, thanks to Thutmose IV, who soon after became the Egyptian pharaoh. Three thousand years later, the statue was again buried under the sands. Up until the 19th century, the statue's front legs were deep below the desert surface. The entire Sphinx was excavated in the 1920s.
8 The Sphinx Lost Its Headdress In The 1920s
During the latest restoration, the Great Sphinx fell off part of its famous headdress, and the head and neck were seriously injured. The Egyptian government hired a team of engineers to restore the statue in 1931. But during this restoration, soft limestone was used, and in 1988 a 320-kilogram part of the shoulder fell off, nearly killing a German reporter. After that, the Egyptian government again began restoration work.
9. After the construction of the Sphinx, there was a cult that honored it for a long time.
Thanks to the mystical vision of Thutmose IV, who became pharaoh after he dug up a giant statue, a whole cult of worship of the Sphinx arose in the 14th century BC. The pharaohs ruling during the New Kingdom even built new temples from which the Great Sphinx could be seen and worshipped.
10. The Egyptian sphinx is much kinder than the Greek
The Sphinx's modern reputation as a violent creature comes from Greek mythology, not Egyptian mythology. In Greek myths, the Sphinx is mentioned in connection with a meeting with Oedipus, to whom he asked a supposedly unsolvable riddle. In ancient Egyptian culture, the Sphinx was considered more benevolent.
11. Napoleon is not to blame for the fact that the Sphinx has no nose
The mystery of the absence of a nose on the Great Sphinx has given rise to all sorts of myths and theories. One of the most common legends says that Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the nose of the statue to be beaten off in a fit of pride. However, early sketches of the Sphinx show that the statue lost its nose even before the birth of the French emperor.
12 The Sphinx Was Once Bearded
Today, the remnants of the Great Sphinx's beard, which were removed from the statue due to severe erosion, are kept in the British Museum and in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, established in Cairo in 1858. However, the French archaeologist Vasil Dobrev claims that the bearded statue was not from the very beginning, but the beard was added later. Dobrev argues for his hypothesis that removing the beard, if it had been a component of the statue from the start, would have damaged the statue's chin.
13. The Great Sphinx is the oldest statue, but not the oldest sphinx
The Great Sphinx of Giza is considered the oldest monumental sculpture in human history. If we assume that the statue dates from the reign of Khafre, the smaller sphinxes depicting his half-brother Djedefre and sister Netefer II are older.
14. Sphinx - the largest statue
The Sphinx, which is 72 meters long and 20 meters high, is considered the largest monolithic statue on the planet.
15. There are several astronomical theories associated with the Sphinx.
The mystery of the Great Sphinx of Giza has given rise to a number of theories about the ancient Egyptians' supernatural understanding of the cosmos. Some scientists, such as Lehner, believe that the Sphinx with the Pyramids of Giza is a gigantic machine for capturing and processing solar energy. Another theory notes the coincidence of the Sphinx, the pyramids and the Nile River with the stars of the constellations Leo and Orion.
