Identity can be a tricky thing to pin down. It encompasses how we see ourselves, how others see us, and the many factors that shape who we are. Riddles that play with the notion of identity can reveal surprising truths and perplex even the cleverest of minds. Below are 55 riddles that dig into the heart of identity, along with their revealing answers.
Riddles About Names and Titles
Riddle 1
What do you have that no one else does, and if you spent it, you would still have it?
Answer: Your name.
Riddle 2
The more places I be, the less you can see. What am I?
Answer: Darkness.
Riddle 3
I am something people love or hate. I change peoples appearances and thoughts. If a person takes care of them self I will go up even higher. To some people I will fool them. To others I am a mystery. Some people might want to try and hide me but I will show. No matter how hard people try I will Never go down. What am I?
Answer: Age.
Riddle 4
What gets wetter the more it dries?
Answer: A towel.
Riddle 5
I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?
Answer: A map.
Riddle 6
What has many keys but can’t open a single lock?
Answer: A piano.
Riddle 7
You see me once in June, twice in November and not at all in May. What am I?
Answer: The letter “e”.
Riddle 8
What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Answer: Your name.
Riddle 9
I have branches, but no fruit, trunk or leaves. What am I?
Answer: A bank.
Riddle 10
What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?
Answer: A towel.
Riddles About Inner Identity
Riddle 11
I give you food, and I give you rest. I give joy, and I give you zest. I comfort you when you are down. I lighten your step when you feel bound. What am I?
Answer: Laughter.
Riddle 12
I make you weak at the worst of all times. I keep you safe, I keep you fine. I make your hands sweat, and your heart grow cold. I visit the weak, but seldom the bold. What am I?
Answer: Fear.
Riddle 13
I am rarely touched but often held. If you have wit, you’ll use me well. What am I?
Answer: Your tongue.
Riddle 14
I am weightless but you can see me. Put me in a bucket and I’ll make it lighter. What am I?
Answer: A hole.
Riddle 15
I follow and lead as you pass. Dress yourself in black my brothers. I laugh at woes and rejoice in the death of men. Loud am I, yet never I utter a sound. What am I?
Answer: A shadow.
Riddle 16
I am free for the taking Through all of your life Though given freely to each I am meaningless without you. What am I?
Answer: A friend’s advice.
Riddle 17
I give you another life, one full of joy, fun and laughter. I take you to places near and far that you’ve only dreamed of. Reading me is like opening a book to another world. What am I?
Answer: Your imagination.
Riddle 18
I am rarely touched but often held, and if you are smart you’ll use me well. What am I?
Answer: Your tongue.
Riddle 19
I can point in every direction, but I cannot reach there alone. I’ve no muscles or patience, yet I work day and night without fail. What am I?
Answer: A compass.
Riddle 20
I love to dance and twist and prance, I shake my tail as away I sail, wingless I fly into the sky. What am I?
Answer: A kite.
Riddles About Appearances
Riddle 21
People buy me to eat, but never eat me. What am I?
Answer: A plate.
Riddle 22
What has a head and a tail but no body?
Answer: A coin.
Riddle 23
What can travel around the whole way around the world while staying in the very same corner?
Answer: A postage stamp.
Riddle 24
What has many teeth but can’t bite?
Answer: A comb.
Riddle 25
What has hands but can’t clap?
Answer: A clock.
Riddle 26
What has a neck but no head?
Answer: A bottle.
Riddle 27
What has legs but doesn’t walk?
Answer: A table.
Riddle 28
What has one eye but can’t see?
Answer: A needle.
Riddle 29
I come in different shapes and sizes. Part of me are curves, others are straight. You can put me anywhere you like, but I’m no good at standing up. What am I?
Answer: A puzzle piece.
Riddle 30
People buy me to eat but never eat me. What am I?
Answer: A plate.
Riddles About Relationships
Riddle 31
What gets broken without being held?
Answer: A promise.
Riddle 32
What has a ring but no finger?
Answer: A telephone.
Riddle 33
What has a neck but no head?
Answer: A bottle.
Riddle 34
What has hands but can’t clap?
Answer: A clock.
Riddle 35
What has a head and a tail but no body?
Answer: A coin.
Riddle 36
What has one eye but can’t see?
Answer: A needle.
Riddle 37
What has legs but doesn’t walk?
Answer: A table.
Riddle 38
What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Answer: Your name.
Riddle 39
What gets wetter the more it dries?
Answer: A towel.
Riddle 40
What has teeth but can’t bite?
Answer: A comb.
Riddles About Personal Identity
Riddle 41
I follow you all the time and copy your every move, but you can’t touch me or catch me. What am I?
Answer: Your shadow.
Riddle 42
I am with you your whole life, but you will never know me. What am I?
Answer: Your heartbeat.
Riddle 43
I come in different shapes and sizes. Part of me are curves, others are straight. You can put me anywhere you like, but I’m no good at standing up. What am I?
Answer: A puzzle piece.
Riddle 44
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?
Answer: Footsteps.
Riddle 45
I am weightless but you can see me. Put me in a bucket and I’ll make it lighter. What am I?
Answer: A hole.
Riddle 46
I am free for the taking Through all of your life Though given freely to each I am meaningless without you. What am I?
Answer: Friendship.
Riddle 47
I give you another life, one full of joy, fun and laughter. I take you to places near and far that you’ve only dreamed of. Reading me is like opening a book to another world. What am I?
Answer: Your imagination.
Riddle 48
I love to dance and twist and prance, I shake my tail as away I sail, wingless I fly into the sky. What am I?
Answer: A kite.
Riddle 49
I am rarely touched but often held. If you are smart you’ll use me well. What am I?
Answer: Your tongue.
Riddle 50
I can point in every direction, but I cannot reach anywhere on my own. I’ve no muscles or patience, yet I work day and night without fail. What am I?
Answer: A compass.
Riddles About Identity and Perception
Riddle 51
I am taken from a mine and shut up in a wooden case, from which I am never released, and yet I am used by almost every one. What am I?
Answer: A pencil lead.
Riddle 52
What can fill a room but takes up no space?
Answer: Light.
Riddle 53
What is broken every time it’s spoken?
Answer: Silence.
Riddle 54
What is so fragile that saying its name breaks it?
Answer: Silence.
Riddle 55
I am not alive but seem so. I do not think or breathe but still, I grow. What am I?
Answer: A plant or flower.
Conclusion
We all have questions about who we are, and riddles that play with the idea of identity force us to dig beneath the surface. While these riddles may not provide definite answers about ourselves, wrestling with them can unearth new perspectives and understandings. Our sense of identity comes from many sources – our name, titles, inner thoughts, relationships, and how we are perceived by others. The riddles above just begin to scratch the surface of this multi-faceted concept. What insights did they reveal for you?
