Rainbows have inspired curiosity and wonder for ages. Their vibrant colors and elusive nature make them a favorite subject for riddles. Here are 83 of the best riddles about rainbows, along with their answers explained.
Fun Rainbow Riddles for Kids
These rainbow riddles are perfect for getting young minds thinking creatively. The answers are simple enough for kids to get, but will still make them ponder the colorful mysteries of rainbows.
Riddle #1
What has a head and a tail but no body?
Answer: A rainbow!
Riddle #2
I appear after a storm. I contain seven colors. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow!
Riddle #3
We’re seven sisters, all in a row. When it’s sunny, you’ll always know, that over the hills and valleys below, in colors we always show. What are we?
Answer: The seven colors of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
Riddle #4
I’m an arch of colors that appears after the rain. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow!
Riddle #5
We come right after a shower, we’re colored just like a flower. We are seven sisters in all, can you guess what we’re called?
Answer: Rainbow!
Challenging Rainbow Riddles
Stretch your thinking with these rainbow brain teasers! The clues are more complex, but attentive listeners can puzzle them out.
Riddle #6
What lives in the sky, is multicolored and disappears quickly?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #7
I’m an upside-down smile, my colors go mile after mile. I appear after a storm, then quickly transform. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #8
Over the grass, I gleam and glow, I contain the colors of the show. Close your eyes—try and name me right, I disappear quickly out of your sight. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #9
I’m an arch made of colors, seen high in the sky. Look quick, or I vanish—now tell me what am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #10
Bright and fleeting after rain, a rainbow’s colors I contain. Name me now, and do it quick – for soon I’ll vanish with a trick!
Answer: A rainbow.
Funny Rainbow Riddles
Make ’em laugh with these playful and humorous rainbow riddles. The silly wordplay will brighten any rainy day!
Riddle #11
What do you call a rainbow that went to college?
Answer: A rainbro with a degree!
Riddle #12
Why don’t rainbows ever form over a deer’s nest?
Answer: Because there’s no rain, dear!
Riddle #13
Why can’t you trust a rainbow?
Answer: Because it’s always plotting something!
Riddle #14
What did one rainbow say to the other?
Answer: I’m really starting to like you a lot!
Riddle #15
What do you call a sad rainbow?
Answer: A blue bow!
Tricky Rainbow Riddles
These rainbow riddles will really test your skills! The clever wordplay makes the answers far from obvious.
Riddle #16
Jane wants to paint a beautiful picture of a rainbow, but the only colors she has are black, brown, and gray. How can she make the rainbow?
Answer: Close her eyes and imagine it.
Riddle #17
What can you catch, but not throw?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #18
What disappears as soon as you say its name?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #19
I’m not a ray and not a bow, but I appear right after a show. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #20
I come to earth with a bright flash of light, then quickly disappear after my short life. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Classic Rainbow Riddles
Put your thinking cap on for these timeless, traditional rainbow riddles. Their staying power shows how rainbows continue to mystify us.
Riddle #21
As pretty as can be, but cannot be held by thee. Lighter than a feather, yet colors have I altogether. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #22
What has no beginning, end, or middle?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #23
Pretty as a maid, but without flesh or bone. Lives for a minute, then is forever gone. What is it?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #24
What can bring forth a smile, though it lives but awhile?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #25
Born from light and air, a rainbow is fair. But I’m not really there – try to look, and I’ll vanish in the sky. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Short Rainbow Riddles
These quick and clever one-liners provide a burst of rainbow fun. With short riddles, the colorful answer is never far away!
Riddle #26
What bow can’t be tied?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #27
I’m an upside-down color wheel. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #28
What has color but no shape?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #29
Colorful, bright and arched – what am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #30
I appear in the sky after it rains. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Hard Rainbow Riddles
Up the ante with these very challenging rainbow riddles. Only a true riddle master can crack the code on these stumpers!
Riddle #31
I am colored stripes, curving and steep. When light’s behind you, I brightly leap. Turn around quick and I fade away. Rush to glimpse me before I stray! What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #32
Sometimes I shine after the rain. I contain the color spectrum without going insane. I appear in the blink of an eye, then quickly fade in the sky. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #33
With colors that bend, I greet the sky’s end. No pot can hold me, no hands grasp. Chasing after me is quite a task! What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #34
Over the land, sea and shore – millions have seen me, but can’t see me anymore. Colors of wonder, arching so high. One glimpse of beauty, and then I die. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #35
Bright bow in the sky, colored with dye. Shining with hope, though you always cry. What is your name, vanishing flame?
Answer: Rainbow.
What Am I Rainbow Riddles
“What am I?” riddles are a fun, interactive way to think about rainbows. See if you can identify these colorful clues!
Riddle #36
What am I? I appear only after rain when the sun comes out. I showcase seven colorful bands across the sky.
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #37
What am I? I’m an arch of colors that stretches above you. Look away and I quickly fade.
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #38
What am I? I shine colorfully in the sky after a storm passes. Some say I lead to a pot of gold.
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #39
What am I? I’m seven colorful stripes in an arch across the sky. I appear when the sun and rain collide.
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #40
What am I? I’m an optical wonder only seen after rainfall. My colors fade quickly back into the blue.
Answer: A rainbow.
Where Does the Rainbow End Riddles
Rainbows are elusive, so riddles about where they lead and disappear to are extra intriguing. These riddles play with the mystery of rainbows’ ends.
Riddle #41
Al ends in a pot of gold, or so I’m told. I appear when showers are done, then quickly my colors run. Where does my rainbow end?
Answer: A rainbow has no end – it’s circular or arched.
Riddle #42
My colorful stripes bend and bow, way up high and down below. Over the land and sea I go, where I stop, nobody knows! Where does my rainbow end?
Answer: Nowhere – a rainbow has no end point.
Riddle #43
I shine bright colors across the blue sky, then quickly fade out of your eye. My arch has no end, as travelers found, searching for gold, but none to be found! Where does my rainbow end?
Answer: It has no end – rainbows are circles or arcs.
Riddle #44
Some say I end in a pot filled with gold. “Follow the rainbow!” is what we are told. But take it from me – that treasure’s a myth. I’m an optical wonder with no ending, get it?
Answer: A rainbow has no end point.
Riddle #45
People keep searching for my final stop. At the rainbow’s end – there’s treasure, top! But I’m telling you that it’s all in vain. I’m simply colors that quickly fade again. Where does my rainbow end?
Answer: Nowhere, because rainbows are circular.
Science Rainbow Riddles
Rainbows perfectly blend science and nature. These riddles focus on the optical and meteorological phenomena that make rainbows possible.
Riddle #46
I’m an optical and meteorological phenomenon caused by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of sunlight through water droplets. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #47
My colors shine bright when the sun’s rays refract, reflect and disperse through rain’s falling tracks. I’m a circular band that can’t be held in your hand. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #48
I’m made of seven bands of color from red to violet hue. White light is my source when it’s scattered by water through. Name my phenomenon that’s optical in nature. Created by sunlight and rain’s signature feature.
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #49
When sunlight shines through raindrops, I shine my colors for you. My circular arch glows brightly across the sky’s blue. I’m pure optical magic, a colorful sight. Now tell me, what am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #50
Across the sky I arch my back, colors shining to refract light’s track. I’m an optical and meteorological act. Name me now before I fade to black.
Answer: A rainbow.
Biblical Rainbow Riddles
The rainbow has deep Judeo-Christian significance as a sign of God’s promise and blessing. These riddles explore the biblical meaning of rainbows.
Riddle #51
In the clouds I appear, as a sign of God’s promise so dear. I emerged after the flood, to signal all life renewed. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #52
After Noah’s ark saw dry ground, I lit up the sky all around. God made me to show his design, to never flood the earth that time. Who am I?
Answer: The rainbow.
Nature Rainbow Riddles
Rainbows beautifully blend science, religion and nature. These riddles highlight the natural wonder of rainbows.
Riddle #56
I shine through the storm, colors glisten and form. Refracting sunlight, nature’s design, temporary beauty that’s strangely divine.
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #57
Over the mountains, across the blue sea, nature’s prism dances colorful and free. Then quickly I fade, in a blink I am gone, vanished as fast as I first shone. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #58
My colors arc bright from red to violet light. I glitter and gleam through the rain’s shining stream. No artist could paint such a beautiful sight. I’m a colorful rainbow glowing bright!
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #59
When rain leaves and sunlight glows, a spectrum upon the world it throws. Colors brighter than any dye, strewn brilliantly across the sky. What is this arc that comes after the storm?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #60
No paints could create my colorful art. I shine through the rain then swiftly depart. A magical rainbow sent from above, to fill weary hearts again with love.
Answer: A rainbow.
Leprechaun Rainbow Riddles
In Irish folklore, sneaky leprechauns hide pots of gold at rainbow’s end. Can you solve the clues to these mischievous rainbow riddles?
Riddle #61
The end of my rainbow holds a trove of gold, for I hid it away in a pot to hold. But finding my treasure is not an easy thing, you must outwit the trickster, the leprechaun king! What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #62
That little man of Irish lore, thought he had quite the clever store. At the rainbow’s end, his pot of gold, but really there’s no rainbow end to hold! Now tell me, what am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #63
The leprechaun tried to keep it concealed, his pot of gold that the rainbow revealed. He picked a tricky spot that was hard to find, but a rainbow’s no pot, as travelers did find! What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #64
The leprechaun’s gold is just a silly myth, there’s no rainbow end where treasures may sit. That sneaky old elf tried to send you astray, but rainbow’s gold is the colors on display! What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #65
That tricky leprechaun wanted to fool people into thinking a rainbow held gold. But as careful observers discovered, a rainbow’s beauty is reward enough!
Answer: A rainbow.
Colorful Rainbow Riddles
The colorful bands of rainbows are their most recognizable feature. These fun riddles play with rainbow colors.
Riddle #66
I’m the colors of the sky, in an arching band I lie. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet too. Count my colors – a lucky seven, from sunlight through raindrops sent from heaven. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #67
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet…these colors bright, form an arching bow so light. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #68
Crimson, tangerine, canary, emerald, azure, indigo and plum…when these colors stretch across the sky, they form a giant bow up oh so high. What is this colorful bow in the sky?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #69
I’m a spectrum of color from wavelength to wavelength. Count me by color – it’s easy to state! What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #70
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet – these colors make up the bow. Shining so bright in curved bands below, what am I that ripples colorfully so?
Answer: A rainbow.
Pot of Gold Rainbow Riddles
Pots of gold at the end of rainbows are the treasure dreams are made of! Can you chase down the meaning behind these clues?
Riddle #71
I stretch across the sky in multi-colored bands. Some believe I lead to gold, but they don’t understand – no pot of riches lives where my colors blend. I’m a rainbow – and my beauty has no end!
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #72
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet…Follow my colorful arch, many have tried, hoping to find a pot of gold. But the rainbow has no end, as we’re all now told! What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #73
People hope I’ll take them to treasure untold, at the place where my colors leave sky and behold. But there’s no gold at my feet, I solemnly swear – now tell me, what colorful phenomenon fills the air?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #74
I shine colors that stretch through the rain but I will surely disappoint those seeking fortune and fame. No gold pot sits where my colors bend. I’m a wondrous rainbow – and I have no end!
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #75
My colors blaze brightly from red to violet hue. But there’s no pot of gold waiting there for you. Look quick before I’m gone and the rain passes through – I’m a rainbow with treasure that’s only in view!
Answer: A rainbow.
Rainbow Shapes Riddles
Rainbows arc in a variety of different shapes and sizes. These riddles focus on the geometry and curvature of rainbows.
Riddle #76
My colorful bands can make a perfect half circle, or sometimes I’m more of an imperfect arc. I may even form a double shape, but one thing’s guaranteed – I’m bright and colorful and then quickly fade to dark. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #77
I may stretch as a colorful semi-circle from sky down to land, or sometimes I’m just a smaller rainbow band. I can be a double arch or even a triple you see, but I’m always ephemeral, disappearing quickly like seafoam on the breeze. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #78
Sometimes I’m curved in colors from sky down to ground, other times I’m half the arc, just a partial round. I might be a slim bright bow or a big arching band – I’m every shape imaginable in rainbow dreamland! What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #79
Straight or arched, split or stacked, my rainbow shapes must be viewed head-on or they cannot be tracked. For my colors to shine I must bend light beams, creating an optical wonder of prismatic dreams. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #80
I curve or arc through the skies, my colorful dyes stretching in size. I take on circles, half-circles, and bands, but you must view me just right to see my bright strands. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Symbolism and Meaning Rainbow Riddles
Beyond their sheer beauty, rainbows hold deep meaning and symbolism. These riddles explore the significance rainbows hold.
Riddle #81
My colors signify a promise of hope, of light after darkness, and sun after the storm’s soak. I lift your spirit with my colors so bright, and symbolize tomorrow is always in sight. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #82
Some see me and wish for a pot filled with gold, but more see the luck in my colors of old. I’m a symbol of sunshine after the rain, of childhood’s bright wonder again and again. What am I?
Answer: A rainbow.
Riddle #83
My colors are known to bring luck, joy and cheer, after the clouds have spilled raindrops their tears. I bring hope of better times soon to appear. I’m a rainbow – a sign to dry your eyes clear!
Answer: A rainbow.
Conclusion
Rainbows have inspired awe, joy and imagination across cultures for centuries. Their optical magic make them a favorite riddle subject. Solving rainbow riddles enriches your appreciation for their beauty and symbolism. When you next see a rainbow stretched across the sky, think back on these riddles and the colorful mystery they add to the experience. Let the rainbow lift your spirits with its promise of light after darkness, and hope after the storms of life.
