The heart is a vital organ that has captivated humankind for centuries. It is central to our life force and often used as a symbol for love and emotion. The anatomy and function of the heart has inspired philosophical pondering, artistic expression, and scientific study.
Given the heart’s immense importance, it is no wonder many riddles use the heart as a central theme. Riddles about the heart make us think about the contradictory metaphors we associate with the heart. They play on meanings of the word “heart” itself, the shape and look of the heart, and common associations with love.
In this article, we provide 63 riddles about the heart along with their answers. Some may make you chuckle while others require deeper thought. Either way, these heart riddles provide a fun way to exercise your mind and learn more about the remarkable organ we all rely on.
Anatomy Riddles
Let’s start with some riddles focused on the physical structure and look of the heart:
Riddle 1
I have four chambers within me, two above and two below. I have valves to let blood flow, and arteries to help it go. What am I?
Answer: The heart. The four chambers are the two atria above and the two ventricles below. The valves allow blood to flow in only one direction. The arteries carry blood away from the heart.
Riddle 2
I’m scarlet and shaped like an upside-down pear. I beat over 100,000 times a day, working hard to show you I care. What am I?
Answer: The heart. The heart is shaped like an inverted pear and beats continuously to pump blood through your body. The scarlet color comes from the blood within it.
Riddle 3
I’m hollow inside but full of muscle, I contract and relax without any tussle. With four rooms I pump your blood, working steady your whole life through. What am I?
Answer: The heart. The muscular walls of the heart’s four chambers contract and relax to pump blood.
Riddle 4
I’m made of muscle, I have four rooms, I pump your blood, and make lub-dub sounds. What am I?
Answer: The heart. The four chambers contract and relax to make the “lub-dub” sounds.
Love and Emotion Riddles
The heart is also commonly associated with love and emotion. Here are some riddles that play on this meaning:
Riddle 5
When I’m full I’m happy as can be, when I’m broken I hurt terribly. I can soar when I feel affection, and sink when we break connection. What am I?
Answer: The heart. A full, happy heart comes with love. A broken heart brings grief.
Riddle 6
People try to take care of me, yet I sometimes still shatter. When I break it’s hard to recover, unless someone truly touches your inner nature. What am I?
Answer: A broken heart. It takes time and care to mend a broken heart.
Riddle 7
When you’re in love, I swell and grow, with joy and passion all aglow. When romance ends, I shrink in pain, until we love again I wane. What am I?
Answer: The heart. Falling in love causes heart swelling and joy, while heartbreak brings pain.
Riddle 8
I lives in your chest, I’m shaped like an egg, I was made to love, until you pierce me with a dagger. What am I?
Answer: The heart. The shape of the heart resembles an egg. It’s meant for love but can be broken.
Riddle 9
People give me away and I’m sometimes broken. I’m often shown with arrows and usually appear in February. What am I?
Answer: The heart. You give your heart to a loved one. Broken hearts on Valentine’s Day in February.
Riddle 10
I’m offered as a gift and covered in ribbons and lace. I’m made of chocolate or candy, a sweet you embrace. What am I?
Answer: A heart-shaped Valentine’s gift, often made of chocolate.
Symbol Riddles
The heart shape is used symbolically in many ways. See if you can figure out these heart symbol riddles:
Riddle 11
I’m shaped like a heart but I’m red and white. I’m made of fabric and fly proud day and night. What am I?
Answer: A heart-shaped flag or banner.
Riddle 12
I’m shaped like a heart and in a deck you’ll find me. But I’m not for affection, I’m just 1 of 13. What am I?
Answer: The heart playing card suit.
Riddle 13
I’m tasty and sweet, a heart-shaped treat. Frosted pink with sprinkles on top, now take a bite before I drop. What am I?
Answer: A heart-shaped donut or cookie.
Riddle 14
I’m not a real heart but a candy delight, heart-shaped and stamped “Be Mine” – a sweet for your Valentine. What am I?
Answer: A heart-shaped candy like a Sweetheart.
Riddle 15
I’m a heart-shaped mark a doctor listens to, I tell him how your heartbeat sounds with lub-dub, lub-dub. What am I?
Answer: A doctor’s stethoscope placed over the heart.
Heart Idioms and Expressions
The heart features in many common idioms and expressions. Can you solve the meaning behind these phrases about the heart?
Riddle 16
I suggest to follow what’s in your chest, and go with what you feel is best. What am I?
Answer: “Follow your heart.”
Riddle 17
I’m when you do what’s right and good, and help others when you could. I’m present when you’re kind and sweet – now take me off your dusty shelf and use me. What am I?
Answer: “Have a heart.”
Riddle 18
I’m when you truly care for someone, when for their wellbeing you’re concerned. I’m when you’re kind and understanding, and support someone who’s struggling. What am I?
Answer: “Have a heart.”
Riddle 19
I suggest disconnecting from emotion, and using your head to guide your devotion. Don’t let feelings lead you when reason should rule. What am I?
Answer: “Use your head, not your heart.”
Riddle 20
I mean to care for someone’s feelings, and think how your actions affect them. Don’t act on a whim or only your view, consider their heart and perspective too. What am I?
Answer: “Have a heart.” Consider their feelings.
Riddle 21
I’m when someone’s completely devoted, completely loyal and committed with fervor. I’m when someone truly cherishes another, a passionate lover through thick and thin. What am I?
Answer: “With all one’s heart.”
Riddle 22
I’m when you pour out your emotions, confiding your innermost feelings with candor. I’m revealing your passion and being sincere, speaking from your heart and from care. What am I?
Answer: “Wearing your heart on your sleeve.”
Riddle 23
I suggest telling all that you harbor, both joyfulness and sadness share. Don’t conceal even pain in your heart – speak openly of feelings inside. What am I?
Answer: “Wear your heart on your sleeve.”
Riddle 24
I’m the driving force, your passion and desire. I’m at the core of who you are, your inner fire. What am I?
Answer: “Heart and soul.”
Riddle 25
I mean completely and fully, with your entire spirit invested. I’m when you do something with great drive, completely focused and interested. What am I?
Answer: “With heart and soul.” Giving your full devotion.
Riddle 26
I’m the courage that lets you carry on, when challenges leave you feeling forlorn. I’m the strength deep within you that keeps you going, even when tough situations are showing. What am I?
Answer: “Heart.” Inner strength and courage.
Riddle 27
I’m when you jump straight in without thinking twice, throwing caution away in a trice. I’m reckless abandon that can lead you astray, charging ahead in a passionate fray. What am I?
Answer: “Leaping heart first.” Acting recklessly on impulse.
Heart Knowledge Riddles
The heart is also associated with intuition and inner knowledge. See if you can unravel the meaning in these heart knowledge riddles:
Riddle 28
I’m not logic or reason or facts that you know, but a feeling inside that gently does grow. I’m a hint or a sense of what path you should walk, so listen within – there’s no need just to talk. What am I?
Answer: A “tug at your heartstrings” – an intuitive guide.
Riddle 29
I’m when you sense what is right and true, the course forward you know you should pursue. I’m the inner voice speaking within, your heart’s intuition that shouldn’t be dimmed. What am I?
Answer: “Listen to your heart.” Rely on your intuition.
Riddle 30
Don’t ignore me or treat me as naught, though some think I’m guided solely by thought. For I am your compass in times foggy and dim, just quiet your mind and then hearken to him. What am I?
Answer: “Listen to your heart.” Don’t discount your intuition.
Riddle 31
I’m not reached by critical thinking or thought. No logic or reasoning can grasp what I’ve got. To access me you must look within, pushing past ego to where truth does begin. What am I?
Answer: “Truth of the heart.” An intuitive inner wisdom.
Riddle 32
I’m when you feel something is right, though facts don’t back it with reason or might. I’m a hunch or suspicion that can’t be ignored, nagging until the truth is explored. What am I?
Answer: A “gut feeling” or “tug at your heartstrings” guiding your intuition.
Riddle 33
Don’t ignore me when facing a choice, I’m your gut giving wisdom a voice. Though I’m not always easy to hear, if you listen closely the path will be clear. What am I?
Answer: A “gut feeling” – your inner intuitive compass.
Heart Metaphors
Hearts pop up in all sorts of metaphorical phrases. Let’s see if you can decipher these heart metaphor riddles:
Riddle 34
I’m the central or innermost part, the very marrow and meat. I’m the core, the kernel, the place to start – the spot that you must beat. What am I?
Answer: The “heart of the matter.” The central issue.
Riddle 35
I’m the most vital or lively location, where action and excitement grow. I’m the throbbing hub where it all goes down, the nucleus pulsing with flow. What am I?
Answer: The “heart of the action.” The central spot where it’s all happening.
Riddle 36
I’m the strength or essence of something, that which gives it its power. I’m the key element that makes it tick, that juice that helps it flower. What am I?
Answer: The “heart of the matter.” The crux or key component.
Riddle 37
I’m the kindest, most benevolent part, where goodwill and care reside. I’m where charity lives and compassion thrives, where warmth glows from inside. What am I?
Answer: The “heart of gold.” A kind spirit.
Riddle 38
I’m hardship, cruelty, the toughest terrain, where only the strong will survive. I’m the most demanding and rigorous space, that pushes you onward to thrive. What am I?
Answer: The “heart of darkness.” A cruel, unforgiving space or experience. Based on Joseph Conrad’s novel.
Riddle 39
I’m the epicenter, where energy brews, the nexus where all converges. I’m the hotbed, the nucleus, the thick, where activity surges. What am I?
Answer: The “heart of the matter.” The central point.
Heart and Courage Riddles
The heart is linked with bravery and courage as well. See if you can work out what these heart riddles mean:
Riddle 40
I’m valor, pluck, boldness and grit – the stuff heroes are made of. I’m courage that lets you do what is wise, even when you are afraid of. What am I?
Answer: “Heart.” Inner fortitude.
Riddle 41
I’m when you muster your passion and might to face illness or setback with fight. I’m drawing on bravery and valor within, to tackle whatever harsh sorrows life brings. What am I?
Answer: “Strength of heart.” Resilience and courage.
Riddle 42
I’m when you stand up for what’s good and right, speaking out against falsehood and blight. I’m moral courage and gallantry too, defending truth when it’s the unpopular view. What am I?
Answer: “Strength of heart.” Having the courage of your convictions.
Riddle 43
I’m fearful and cowardly, shaky and jittered, no boldness inside me, no courage embodied. At danger I tremble and quake in my shoes, my heart panics frantically at hint of bad news. What am I?
Answer: “Faint of heart.” Easily frightened.
Riddle 44
I lack bravery and shake at each sound, I’m fearful and timid, nerves always wound. At the first hint of trouble, away I will dart, courage and valor don’t live in my heart. What am I?
Answer: “Faint of heart.” Cowardly.
Riddle 45
I’m standing up to each test that arrives, confronting hardship with strength and drive. I’m facing each challenge with passion and pluck – I’m determined and gallant, not timid or stuck. What am I?
Answer: “Stouthearted.” Strong, brave and courageous.
Riddle 46
My courage won’t falter, my passions won’t dim. Storms can brew but boldness steers my helm. Fear won’t stop me from doing what’s right – adversity fuels my inner might. What am I?
Answer: “Stouthearted.” Steadfastly brave.
Heart in Difficulty
When times are trying, the heart is impacted. See if you can decode the meaning in these riddles about the heart in hardship:
Riddle 47
When you’re weighed down by sorrow and strife, I feel the burden and ache of your life. I empathize with each challenging turn, sharing your troubles so you don’t feel so alone. What am I?
Answer: An “aching heart” carries the pain of your burdens.
Riddle 48
I’m grievance and mourning, sadness and pain. I’m the darkness that falls like cold rain. I’m the hole left inside when a loved one departs, the grief and the ache that weighs down your heart. What am I?
Answer: A “heavy heart” filled with sadness and grief.
Riddle 49
I’m the anguish of loss, the sting of goodbye, the grief that flows when a loved one does die. I’m mourning and sorrow that pour out as tears – I’m the heartache that comes with the passage of years. What am I?
Answer: A “heavy heart” burdened by loss.
Riddle 50
When your troubles are plenty and prospects seem dim, when anguish and heartache weigh heavy within, I sag with the burden you carry each day, I groan underneath sorrow’s bleak gray. What am I?
Answer: A “heavy heart” worn down by difficulties.
Riddle 51
I’m grievance and heartache, misery piled on worry and doubt. When life feels awash in an endless sea of gloom, in dark depths of woe I will flounder about. What am I?
Answer: A “heavy heart” lost in sorrow.
Riddle 52
I’m spirits uplifted, delight rush of pleasure, when sunlight glows bright after days drenched in rain. I’m when gladness returns to chase sorrow away, and your heart lifts again after hardship and pain. What am I?
Answer: A “gladdened heart” – happiness after a heavy time.
Riddle 53
I’m not easily disheartened but able to thrive, even when fortune does fail me. With hope-filled passion I continue to strive, misfortune and heartache don’t frail me. What am I?
Answer: “Stouthearted.” Resilient in difficulty.
Heart and Memory
The heart is linked to memory and remembrance:
Riddle 54
I’m when you cherish and hold someone dear, keeping them close though they are not here. I’m when you honor a loved one now gone, their memory living steadfastly on. What am I?
Answer: “In your heart” – keeping someone’s memory alive.
Riddle 55
Though years come and go, I remember so clear – the times that we laughed, and we cried and we grew. Though you’re gone from my sight, in my heart you’ll stay, remaining through fond memories day after day. What am I?
Answer: “In my heart” – remembering a loved one.
Riddle 56
Even when someone departs far away, when the years stretch between us however they may, if we shared joy and sorrow, meaning and more, in my heart our memories I’ll tenderly store. What am I?
Answer: “In my heart” – cherishing memories.
Heartfelt Riddles
See if you can solve the meaning behind these “heartfelt” riddles:
Riddle 57
I’m when you’re sincere, genuine, for real. When you mean what you say and earnestly feel, when it comes from your core – the truth you reveal. What am I?
Answer: “Heartfelt” – sincere, authentic, genuine.
Riddle 58
I’m not just platitudes or empty display, but authentic good wishes sent your way. I’m genuine counsel when you need advice, sincere efforts to help make things right. What am I?
Answer: “Heartfelt support” – real, genuine aid.
Riddle 59
I’m not flattery or honeyed prose meant to impress, but the honest truth shared nonetheless. I’m being upfront and perfectly candid, speaking plainly from where your heart landed. What am I?
Answer: “Heartfelt words” – straightforward, sincere speech.
Riddle 60
When challenges arise, I won’t run or deter. My caring support will stay constant and sure. When you need a lift, I’ll be there by your side. On my genuine friendship you can rely. What am I?
Answer: A “heartfelt friend” who genuinely cares.
Heart of Nature Riddles
Hearts appear in nature as well. See if you can solve these natural heart riddles:
Riddle 61
I’m a red fruit with a leafy green crown, slice me in half to see the heart shape found. Inside I’m all juicy, sweet and tart – fruits shaped like me are perfect for dessert. What am I?
Answer: A strawberry cut in half has a heart shape.
Riddle 62
I’m a green veggie that grows in a vine, cut through my center to see heart design. I’m crunchy and tasty sliced into sticks, add me to relish for flavor that clicks. What am I?
Answer: A cucumber has a heart shape when sliced.
Riddle 63
I’m a blooming pink flower with a fragrant perfume, my clustered blossoms in heart shapes do bloom. Gardeners adore me for my charming heads, and lovers pick me for Valentine spreads. What am I?
Answer: Sweetheart roses with heart-shaped blossoms.
Conclusion
The wonders of the heart, both literal and metaphorical, have inspired many imaginative riddles. As a vital organ, source of emotion, seat of courage, and so much more, the heart is a wellspring for creative puzzling. We hope you’ve enjoyed exercising your mind, heart, and funny bone with these 63 riddles about the heart. Let them spark your own creativity in dreaming up heartfelt stumpers to challenge your friends and family!
