- “What's a Sphinx?”
- “She is a marvelous creature who lives inside the pyramid and grants wishes. But when she is displeased, she sends out her beetle warriors to punish us.”
| — Wu and Sage, The Maze of the Sphinx |
Sphinxes are ancient creatures in Ninjago.
History
One day, a Sphinx became a resident in a large pyramid, providing special needs for the villagers of the valley. However, she would summon the beetle warriors to punish those who upset her. In order to keep her docile, the villagers would preform a ritual three times a day, with this tradition passing down countless generations, though later generations lost the knowledge as to whether or not the Sphinx even existed anymore, if at all to begin with.
The Maze of the Sphinx (flashback)
Wu and Garmadon encountered the Sphinx within her pyramid after hearing tales from Sage, one of the valley's locals, that the Sphinx had the power to grant wishes to those that sought her out. Unfortunately, the Sphinx was less than pleased by the brothers' trespassing, only backing down after Garmadon revealed they were the sons of the First Spinjitzu Master. Nevertheless, the Sphinx subjected the brothers to her challenge: survive the pyramid's maze and return to her chamber, and she would grant them a wish.
As the brothers made their way through the maze alongside Shezada, another traveler who had sought a wish from the Sphinx and the only one still living, the Sphinx communicated with the trio through a series of statues bearing her likeliness scattered throughout the maze. The Sphinx however, mostly hurled every manner of demoralizing commentary regarding the trio's progress in an effort to break their spirits, but did, on exactly three occasions, provide helpful advice to the trio. Once the trio made their way to her chamber, the Sphinx agreed to grant one wish between the three, which Garmadon used to save Shezada, who had been bitten by one of the Ghouls in the preceding room and was transforming into one. After granting the wish, the Sphinx opened the exit to her pyramid and bid for the trio to leave.
Other appearances
Prior to Seabound
Eventually, a Sphinx statue was made for the Explorer's Club that would allow non-members to enter the building if they passed the Trial By Sphinx. But one day, Lord Belgrave invoked the trial to enter the club, but an incident occurred that dissuaded anyone from invoking it for decades.
The Maze of the Sphinx
When Master Wu and the ninja were about to go to a new barbecue place in Ninjago City, they noticed a fire coming from the Explorer's Club and rushed in to see what was happening. They soon figured out that the Sphinx started to go haywire as it constantly breathed fire. So Zane froze the statue, and Cecil decided to have a technician check on the statue. Wu then stated that the Sphinx statue wasn't as dangerous as a real Sphinx.
Riddle of the Sphinx
Misako tried to get back in the Explorer's Club while asking Cecil Putnam to get the Storm Amulet. Misako told Cecil that she can enter by invoking the Trial By Sphinx. Cecil warned them but summoned the Sphinx anyways. The Sphinx asked who will answer the riddle, and Wu asked for the riddle.
The Sphinx stated its riddle: "Give me food, and I will live. Give me water, and I will die. Who am I?" Cole answered "cake," and one of the torches burned out, and the Sphinx declared it incorrect. Wu attempted "discipline," but another torch burned out. Kai answered "fire," and it was declared correct, with the Sphinx disappearing into the floor.
Official description
This mighty creature has the head of a human and a body of a lion, often having mysterious powers. Most of Ninjago world’s explorers believe that Sphinxes exist only in legends. The unlucky few who have actually met one wish it were true.
Appearances
Ninjago
Season 14: Seabound
- 174. "Riddle of the Sphinx" (statue)
Books
- The Maze of the Sphinx (flashback)
- The Chroma's Clutches (mentioned)
Ninjago: Dragons Rising
Season 2
- 25. "The Spell at the Waterfall" (mentioned)
Trivia
- The riddle of the Sphinx is similar to the Ninjigma's riddle from "The Elemental Masters."
Gallery
In Ninjago
In Spinjitzu Brothers
