Question

Why did Egyptian art and architecture often depict animals, such as the lion body of the Sphinx

Answer 1

The lion body of the sphinx was used as a symbolic reference of the sheer power and strength of the king whose face the sphinx bore.

Answer 2

^ this is right. ALSO because the Gods they worshiped were (or could turn into) animals. this comes from the Greek Myth of Typhon. he chased the Gods and they hid in Egypt, that's where they got the idea of their Gods. (for example, Aphrodite became a fish) when hiding from the monster Typhon. they depict animals because they worshiped them