Where did the legend of the sphinx come from?

The legend of the Sphinx originates from ancient Egyptian mythology, where the creature is typically depicted as having the body of a lion and the head of a human. In Greek mythology, the Sphinx is famously associated with the story of Oedipus, who encountered her while she guarded the entrance to Thebes, posing a riddle to travelers. Failure to answer correctly resulted in dire consequences. The Sphinx symbolizes mystery and enigma, embodying themes of knowledge and the challenges of understanding.