Legend tells of a monster who guarded the entrance to the Greek city state of Thebes. She was a sphinx named Phix (Φιχ). She had the head and breasts of a woman, the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and a serpent-headed tail. She was a unique and well-known demon of destruction and bad luck.
She poised this riddle to anyone wishing to enter the city. “Which creature in the morning goes on four legs, at mid-day at two, and in the evening upon three, and the more legs it has the weaker it be?” There is also another riddle, less well-known. “Who are the two sisters: one gives birth to the other and she, in turn, gives birth to the first.”
If a traveler answered the rites of passage incorrectly, the penalty was death. In this case, the penalty is not very severe. You just have to keep guessing. (I promise I’ll give you a hint or two though.)
on Jul 27th, 2009 at 7:04 am
The answer to the first is …. man!
Here’s how it works: crawling as a baby on 4 legs, walking at middle age and with a cane during old age.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
on Jul 27th, 2009 at 7:05 am
I am not sure about the second one.
Are the two sisters Day and Night, one leading into the other?
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
on Jul 27th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Nancy,
Sort of–sun and moon–but don’t tell.
Pat.
on Jul 27th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Nancy,
That riddle is thouosands of years old. You are right.
Pat.
on Jul 27th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
The first is man and the second the sun and moon. (I love those types of riddles!)
on Jul 27th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
jengd,
Did you look it up or knoiw from whatever? Alternate answer to the second is day and night.
Pat.
on Jul 28th, 2009 at 1:30 am
I knew the first one, but not the second — very clever. Thanks for sharing.
on Jul 28th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Lorie,
You can guess on it in comments. If you are wrong I’ll send you one clue per guess.
Pat.
on Jul 28th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Great riddles! I actually had to look up the answers because I was so curious!
on Jul 28th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Jackie,
Glad I could brighten the day if only a little. Thanks for the thumbs up.
Pat.
on Jul 31st, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Wow those were hard riddles! I had no idea was the answers were!
on Jul 31st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Debbioe,
If you still don’t know, I’ll tell you where to find the answer.
Pat.