The mythical sphinx in the Islamic art of Egypt

Abstract EN

The Islamic art is distinguished by the affluence in representing mythical creatures, they are not only countless but also variant in shapes.

Utilizing these creamres in the Islamic art was an outlet for the Islamic artist from any religious restrictions, strange and unfamiliar creatures, peerless in reality, so the artist will avoid mimicking God's creation.

The different phases of the Islamic art of Egypt presented us with various mythical creatures such as the harpy, griffin, phoenix, sphinx, etc.

This research sheds light on sphinx specifically.

It appeared in many artifacts since the Umayyad period of Egypt.

The research is an attempt to study both historical and artistic backgrounds of this mythical creature in the Islamic art of Egypt.