Iran is a fascinating country with a rich culture and long history. Many riddles have emerged over the years that provide insight into Iranian society, values, and daily life. Below are 32 riddles about Iran along with their answers.
Geography
Riddle 1
I am a large salt lake in Iran’s central plateau. I am the largest lake in Iran and one of the largest salt lakes on Earth. What am I?
Answer: Lake Urmia
Riddle 2
I am a mountain range stretching from Armenia through Iran to Afghanistan. I am Iran’s longest mountain range and include Damavand, Iran’s highest peak. What am I?
Answer: The Alborz Mountains
Riddle 3
I am a strait near the Strait of Hormuz that separates Iran from the Arabian Peninsula. I am an important shipping lane for oil exports. What am I?
Answer: The Strait of Hormuz
History
Riddle 4
I was an ancient empire centered in Persia that spanned from Greece to India at its height. I am considered one of the world’s greatest ancient civilizations. What am I?
Answer: The Persian Empire
Riddle 5
I was a Persian king known for my military prowess, empire building, and cultural achievements. Many monuments bear my name, such as the gateway to Persepolis. Who am I?
Answer: King Xerxes
Riddle 6
We were an Iranian dynasty that ruled Persia from 226 to 651 AD. We practiced Zoroastrianism and built many architectural wonders, including Naqsh-e Rustam. What dynasty were we?
Answer: The Sassanian dynasty
Society & Culture
Riddle 7
I am a vegetable stew with herbs, beans, meat, and sometimes dried limes. I am a staple Persian food and mealtime staple. What am I?
Answer: Ghormeh sabzi
Riddle 8
We are four classical Persian poetic forms focused on heroic, romantic, or mystical themes. Hafez and Rumi composed poems in our styles. What are we?
Answer: Ghazal, masnavi, qasida, and rubai
Riddle 9
I am a Persian stringed instrument played with a bow. My name comes from a Persian word meaning “two strings.” What am I?
Answer: The kamancheh
Religion & Spirituality
Riddle 10
I was a Persian prophet who founded Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. My teachings are compiled in the Avesta scriptures. Who am I?
Answer: Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra)
Riddle 11
We are Zoroastrian temples where holy fires burn continuously and have done so for centuries. Pilgrims visit us for rituals. What are we called?
Answer: Fire temples
Riddle 12
I am a Zoroastrian funerary tradition where corpses are left on towers to be eaten by vultures. This practice avoids polluting the earth. What am I called?
Answer: Dakhma or “Tower of Silence”
Literature & Poetry
Riddle 13
I was an 11th century Persian poet, theologian, and Sufi mystic. My epic poems, including the Masnavi, have inspired generations. Who am I?
Answer: Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi
Riddle 14
We are collected works of Persian folktales from the 9th and 10th centuries. Our stories feature myths, legends, and heroes, including the exploits of the fictional Amir Arsalan. What are we?
Answer: Dastan
Riddle 15
I am a ceremonial tossing of sugar into a fire or river as a traditional gesture of thanks. I am performed at Persian weddings and festivals. What am I called?
Answer: Espand
Traditions & Celebrations
Riddle 16
I am a spring festival celebrating the Persian New Year. Families gather together to toss sprouted wheat grass into rivers and share meals, music, and dance. What holiday am I?
Answer: Nowruz
Riddle 17
I am a Persian folk dance where performers hold hands and dance in a circle. I am performed at Norouz and other celebrations. What dance am I?
Answer: Dafkeh
Riddle 18
We are dried fruits, seeds, and nuts served during Nowruz. We symbolize spring and new growth. What are we called?
Answer: Ajil
Language & Literature
Riddle 19
I am the primary language of Iran spoken natively by the majority of its population. I am also spoken in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. What language am I?
Answer: Persian (also known as Farsi)
Riddle 20
I am a 500,000 verse poem by Ferdowsi chronicling Iran’s mythic history. I am considered a masterpiece of Persian literature and a national epic. What literary work am I?
Answer: The Shahnameh
Riddle 21
We are decorative curved calligraphy created without lifting the pen from the paper. We are featured on many historical Persian buildings and artwork. What are we called?
Answer: Tughra
Flora & Fauna
Riddle 22
I am a large, shaggy mammal found in some mountainous parts of Iran. I have curved horns and my coat changes color by season. What am I?
Answer: The wild Iranian mountain goat
Riddle 23
I am Iran’s national flower, a red bulb plant that grows wild in the mountains. I appear in Persian poetry as a symbol for life and beauty. What flower am I?
Answer: Red tulip
Riddle 24
I am a breed of expensive wool-producing goat originally from the Zagros Mountains. My name means “golden fleece.” What breed am I?
Answer: Qashqai goat
Inventions & Innovations
Riddle 25
I was a Persian scientist known as the father of modern medicine. My Canon of Medicine was a medical encyclopedia used in Europe and the Islamic world for centuries. Who am I?
Answer: Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
Riddle 26
We were pioneering Persian scientists who wrote groundbreaking books on algebra, trigonometry, astronomy and other fields. Who were we?
Answer: Khayyam, Kharazmi, Biruni, Rhazes
Riddle 27
I am a medieval mechanical computing device used for calculations based on gears. I was invented by Persian scholars and am considered an early calculator. What am I called?
Answer: The astrolabe
Ancient Persia
Riddle 28
I was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, known for my palaces, audience halls, and bas-reliefs. What ancient ruined city am I?
Answer: Persepolis
Riddle 29
We were ancient underground aqueducts invented in Persia to transport water across hot, arid lands. What are we called?
Answer: Qanats
Riddle 30
I was an ancient board game that originated in Persia. I am played by two players who race their pieces around a board, a forerunner of backgammon. What game am I?
Answer: Nard
Modern Iran
Riddle 31
I am a bazaari merchant class that gained political influence in 20th century Iran. Ayatollah Khomeini relied on my support to install Iran’s Islamic Republic. Who am I?
Answer: The bazaaris
Riddle 32
We are endemic Persian wildcats with long fur. Our endangered population is estimated at less than 10,000. What are we?
Answer: Persian leopards
Conclusion
From ancient Persia to modern Iran, these riddles provide a glimpse into this country’s diverse history, culture, science, and daily life. Iran’s poetic traditions and remnants of ancient civilizations exist today alongside contemporary politics and national symbols like the red tulip. Whether pondering the purpose of Persepolis or puzzling over the name of a stringed instrument, these riddles offer an engaging way to explore the Iranian experience across the centuries.
