Martial arts have been practiced for centuries as a way of self-defense, discipline, and promotion of physical and mental wellbeing. Over the years, martial arts have developed rich traditions and philosophies that can be intriguing to ponder. Riddles, with their verbal puzzles and layered meanings, are a playful way to reflect on the deeper aspects of martial arts. Below are 44 riddles about different facets of martial arts, with the answers provided.
Opening Riddles
Let’s start with a few opening riddles to warm up our martial arts minds:
Q: I flow and crash like the waves of the ocean. With practice, you can learn to harness my power. What am I?
A: Chi, the vital life energy cultivated in martial arts.
Q: I am not what I once was. Little by little I diminish until there is almost nothing left. What am I?
A: A martial arts board being broken by strikes.
Q: The student tries to grasp me, but I cannot be held. Only through letting go can I be found. What am I?
A: Enlightenment.
Q: Empty your mind and embrace the void. In solitude the path will be revealed. What is the path?
A: The inner journey of martial arts.
Let’s explore some more riddles about the origins and philosophies of different martial arts styles.
Philosophy Riddles
Q: I stem from Taoism and emphasize being like water. Bruce Lee brought me to the big screen. What am I?
A: Jeet Kune Do.
Q: I originated in India and view life as suffering to be escaped through discipline. Who am I?
A: Buddhism, which influenced Kung Fu.
Q: My name means “gentle way” in Japanese. Through me you will find your inner strength. What am I?
A: Judo.
Q: I teach that the block is also a strike. Enter with force to find victory. What am I?
A: Krav Maga.
Q: I originated in China based on animal movements and Taoist principles. I am considered an internal martial art. What am I?
A: Tai Chi.
Martial arts use a variety of weapons. Let’s see some riddles focused on the tools of the trade.
Weapon Riddles
Q: I have a straight blade and a hand guard. I originated from Japan’s feudal knights. What am I?
A: A katana.
Q: I have two short sticks connected by a short rope or chain. Bruce Lee used me in many films. What am I?
A: Nunchucks.
Q: I am a simple farming tool turned into a martial arts weapon. Don’t underestimate my reach. What am I?
A: A bo staff.
Q: I contain a weighted ball on the end of a rope. With proper technique I can crush your foes. What am I?
A: A meteor hammer.
Q: I am an Okinawan weapon with a long handle and blade on one end. Karate masters wield me with grace. What am I?
A: A kama.
Now let’s look at some riddles focused on martial arts concepts and techniques.
Concept and Technique Riddles
Q: I am the proper alignment and foundation of your stances. Master me, and power will flow through your strikes. What am I?
A: Rooting.
Q: I am the calm mind and fluid movement of martial arts. Peace and decisiveness flow through me. What am I?
A: Being centered.
Q: I am the breathing technique that provides power from the core. With practice, I can help harness your chi. What am I?
A: Diaphragmatic breathing.
Q: I am the practice of completing each movement and technique fully and precisely. Perfection of form is my goal. What am I?
A: Kime.
Q: I am the soft receiving principle of martial arts. I yield to overcome. What am I?
A: Ju.
Let’s explore some riddles focused specifically on punches, kicks, and other striking techniques.
Striking Riddles
Q: My fist rotates vertically at the end of the punch. I can crush even bricks with my knuckles. What am I?
A: A vertical punch.
Q: My kick snaps out in a straight line to the target. I can strike with tremendous force when done right. What am I?
A: A front kick.
Q: I am a knifehand strike that mimics the blade of a sword. My edge can split boards when delivered with perfect form. What am I?
A: A shuto.
Q: I am a powerful downward strike that can break objects on impact. Gravity gives me my force. What am I?
A: A hammer fist.
Q: I am a fast, whipping backfist strike. Catch your opponents off guard with my sneaky attack. What am I?
A: An uraken.
Now let’s look at some riddles about the various kicks utilized in martial arts.
Kicking Riddles
Q: I whip around in a circle to strike with my heel. My power comes from strong hips. What am I?
A: A spinning heel kick.
Q: I raise my leg straight up to split boards or crush opponents. Control and flexibility give me my height. What am I?
A: An axe kick.
Q: I strike with the bottom of my foot by lifting my leg back. Bruce Lee used me to great effect. What am I?
A: A side kick.
Q: I bend my knee and snap my foot out in a straight line. I am one of the foundational kicks of martial arts. What am I?
A: A front kick.
Q: I strike with my instep by swinging my leg in an arc. My power comes from centrifugal force. What am I?
A: A roundhouse kick.
Let’s explore some riddles about the mental and spiritual aspects of martial arts training.
Mental and Spiritual Riddles
Q: Empty your cup so that it may be filled. What is the cup?
A: The student’s mind.
Q: With practice I can flow as easily as water around obstacles. Inner peace is my goal. What am I?
A: Meditation.
Q: I am the total focus and presence in each moment. With intense practice you may find me. What am I?
A: Mindfulness.
Q: I am the discipline to better oneself each day. Progress along the lifelong path is my way. What am I?
A: Self-cultivation.
Q: Through balance I integrate mind, body and spirit as one. Inner harmony arises through me. What am I?
A: Holistic fitness.
Finally, let’s look at some concluding riddles about the martial arts journey.
Conclusion Riddles
Q: The novice struggles and strains to swim against my flow. But with time and training, the master moves with my current. What am I?
A: The Tao, or way of martial arts.
Q: At the beginning of the path, I am far away and the journey difficult. But with perseverance, the destination draws near. What am I?
A: Mastery of martial arts.
Q: Yesterday’s rank means nothing to me, only today’s practice matters. Progress is made step by step. What am I?
A: The proper mindset of a martial artist.
Q: My origins are ancient, but I am alive in the present. I adapt and change yet my essence remains. What am I?
A: The spirit of martial arts.
Q: Hard rocks turn to flowing streams with time and water’s touch. Open your mind so I may flow through you. What am I?
A: Wisdom.
