Religion has been an important part of human civilization for thousands of years. It is filled with symbolism, stories, traditions and beliefs that can sometimes seem puzzling or mysterious to outsiders or newcomers. Riddles can be a fun way to think more deeply about religious concepts and gain new perspective. Here are 103 thought-provoking riddles about religion along with their answers. Test your knowledge and see how many you can get right!
General Religion Riddles
1. What is always coming but never arrives?
The future.
2. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
3. The more you have of it, the less you see. What is it?
Darkness.
4. What gets broken without being held?
A promise.
5. What goes up but never comes down?
Your age.
6. What comes down but never goes up?
Rain.
7. What goes all around the yard but never moves?
A fence.
8. What can you catch but not throw?
A cold.
9. I have cities but no houses, forests but no trees, and water but no fish. What am I?
A map.
10. What is seen in the middle of March and April that can’t be seen at the beginning or end of either month?
The letter “R.”
Riddles About God
11. What is so fragile that just saying its name can break it?
Silence.
12. What belongs to you but is used more by others?
Your name.
13. I’m light as a feather yet the strongest person can’t hold me for long. What am I?
Breath.
14. What is always coming but never arrives?
Tomorrow.
15. I’m tall when I’m young and short when I’m old. What am I?
A candle.
16. What month of the year has 28 days?
All of them.
17. What is full of holes but can still hold water?
A sponge.
18. I have cities but no houses, forests but no trees, and water but no fish. What am I?
A map.
19. What goes up and down but doesn’t move?
Stairs.
20. The more of them you take, the more you leave behind. What are they?
Footsteps.
Bible Riddles
21. What was the first animal to speak in the Bible?
The serpent in the Garden of Eden.
22. I can run but never walk. Wherever I go, thoughts follow close behind. What am I?
A river, as referenced in Psalm 23 (“He leads me beside still waters”).
23. What Biblical flower is used to symbolize Mary’s virtue and humility?
The lily.
24. Though I never brag or gloat you’ll find me in a Billy goat. What am I?
A horn.
25. In the beginning there was light, but what came next?
Day and night.
26. What Biblical figure built an ark?
Noah.
27. No sooner spoken than broken. What is it?
Silence.
28. What’s never thirsty but always drinking?
Fire.
29. Who was born in Bethlehem?
Jesus.
30. Spice, flask, and a big strong house – name the Biblical man who fits this clue.
Noah.
Riddles About Major Religions
31. What religion believes in karma and reincarnation?
Hinduism.
32. In Islam, what is the name of the holy building located in Mecca?
The Kaaba.
33. Which religion has its roots in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama?
Buddhism.
34. Who do Jews consider to be the founder of Judaism?
Abraham.
35. Which religion aims for spiritual enlightenment through the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path?
Buddhism.
36. Which religious figure was born in Bethlehem?
Jesus Christ.
37. Which holy book features the Five Pillars of Faith?
The Quran.
38. Whose teachings include the concept of Tao or “The Way”?
Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism.
39. Which religion believes in the concept of ahimsa or nonviolence?
Jainism.
40. Which influential figure is associated with Confucianism?
Confucius.
Riddles About Religious Symbolism
41. What are the holiest candles in Catholicism called?
The Paschal candle.
42. If you live in the happily ever after, what religious symbol might you see?
A cross, symbolizing the resurrection of Christ and eternal life in Christianity.
43. Known for its silence this religious order takes a lifelong vow. Who might join this quiet group of brothers?
Trappist monks.
44. Associated with suffering this circlet of thorns a sacrifice did once portend. Name this religious symbol if you can my friend.
The crown of thorns worn by Jesus.
45. I’m a four leaf version of good fortune signs. You’ll find me where faith and God aligns. What religious symbol am I?
A four-leaf clover, symbolizing the Holy Trinity in Christianity plus God’s grace.
46. Perched atop many houses of worship, towards heaven I point like a spire. What religious symbol tells faith’s desire?
A church steeple.
47. A crescent moon and star my iconography. Look atop the minarets to spot me. What religious symbol can you see?
The Islamic star and crescent symbol found on mosques.
48. Associated with divinity, this Wheel of Dharma keeps turning infinitely. Name this Buddhist symbol of constancy.
Dharmachakra.
49. A lantern aglow I send floating down rivers, guiding spirits home. Paper and flame together have shown. Name this symbol used in festivals known.
A paper lantern used in Asian festivals to guide spirits.
50. With roots in Vedic tradition, this symbol represents that all is one. Its branches signify life never done. Name this Hindu sign under the sun.
The banyan tree.
Riddles About Religious Buildings
51. Stained glass windows and bell towers too, worship here weekly, it’s what faithfull do. What’s this holy building called by you?
A church.
52. Mosque, synagogue, and temple alike, where worshippers gather prayer to strike. What general name is used for this sacred site?
A house of worship.
53. Spires spiraling high to reach the sky, inside amazing architectures meets the eye. We’re gazing upon what religious icon?
A cathedral.
54. Intricate onion domes are the crowning glory, inside ornate icons tell the stories. What Eastern orthodox church stands before ye?
A Russian orthodox church.
55. God’s name never spoken within my wall, on Sabbath here the Torah’s read by all. What is this place of study and prayer called?
A synagogue.
56. Gorgeous gardens and a moon gate, a place for peaceful contemplation of one’s fate. Name this religious building you can meditate.
A Buddhist temple.
57. Kaaba lies in the center of this site, Muslims pray towards it day and night. Name this holy place a pillar of Islam right.
The Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca.
58. Intricately carved towers rise before you, stepped meditation walkways curve right through. Name this Asian temple, peaceful and true.
A pagoda.
59. Labyrinths lie on my floor for walking in thought, above saints look down in glass elegantly wrought. Where are you that such beauty has been brought?
Inside a cathedral.
60. My roof sweep ups in corners ascending to heaven, worship and faith inside are given. At heart of my religion, what am I called?
A Buddhist temple.
Riddles About Religious Holidays and Celebrations
61. With manger and wise men and angel’s glad tiding, soon bells will be ringing; a savior is arriving! What holiday is coming with carols and decorating?
Christmas.
62. Costumes and candy and pumpkins aglow, tricks and treats around the neighborhood we’ll go. Name this autumn holiday if you know.
Halloween.
63. What holy Christian holiday comes once in Spring? On this day church bells joyously ring!
Easter.
64. Floating paper lanterns aglow on the breeze, fireworks crackling over tall bamboo trees. Name this Asian festival of lights if you please.
The Lantern Festival.
65. Apples dipped in honey coat Rosh Hashanah meals, for a sweet new year blessing is what this symbol seals. Name this Jewish holiday’s traditional feels.
Rosh Hashanah.
66. What is the Hindu festival of colors? With water and powder such joy it beholds!
Holi.
67. Eleven months in a row we have fasted, now comes Eid al-Fitr at Ramadan’s end at last! Sweets are eaten and family embraced. Name this happy Islamic holiday haste!
Eid al-Fitr.
68. Paper lanterns floating down the creek, picnics under cherry blossoms look divine. Name this spring festival of Japanese origin.
Hanami.
69. Lion dancers parade through streets ablaze, firecrackers snap to ward evil away. Name this Chinese New Year holiday display.
Chinese New Year.
70. What is the Wiccan holiday that celebrates the harvest and honors the dead?
Samhain.
Riddles About Religious Figures
71. Known for founding the faith of Sikhism, who is this spiritual teacher and holy prophet?
Guru Nanak.
72. Who bravely led the exodus of enslaved Israelites out of Egypt? This prophet they trusted and heeded.
Moses.
73. Born Siddhārtha Gautama, who left wealth to find enlightenment, founding Buddhism in peace.
The Buddha.
74. Who fasted and meditated under the Bodhi tree, finding truth that suffering stems from desire?
The Buddha.
75. Led by a spiritual voice this prophet would heed, travelling from Mecca to Medina with great speed. Who is this founder of Islam revered indeed?
Muhammad.
76. Which rabbi founded Hasidic Judaism in the 1700s CE? His wisdom and teachings still many Jews please.
Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer, also known as the Baal Shem Tov.
77. Born Mirza Husayn ‘Alī Nūrī, he founded the Bahá’í faith, teaching all humanity’s oneness is life’s truest cause.
Bahá’u’lláh.
78. Founder of the Protestant Reformation, this German monk rejected indulgences and pushed reform as life’s mission.
Martin Luther.
79. This Catholic saint ministered to lepers and the poor, loving all lives as precious; she knew God’s heart was sure.
Mother Teresa.
80. Vowing poverty, chastity and obedience, he formed the Society of Jesus, building schools and more for God’s purpose. Who can you guess?
St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Riddles About Religious Virtues
81. When you selflessly care for others in need, what virtue do you plant like a seed?
Compassion.
82. If you can resist temptation’s pull, exercising willpower keeps you on track and out of the lull. What is this strength called?
Temperance.
83. Giving money or aid expecting naught in return, for this virtue it’s the thought that counts we can discern. What is it that we should seek to earn?
Charity.
84. Listening first before passing judgments fast, taking time for understanding peace and kindness will last. What’s this thoughtful quality we hope not be passed?
Prudence.
85. When anger swells but you choose calm instead, kind words lift up while harsh ones remain unsaid. This restraint allows clarity into your head. What virtue does this patience reflect?
Self-control.
86. Treating all equally though different on the outside, within every soul the same light does reside. What inclusive outlook spreads virtue far and wide?
Equanimity.
87. Seeing the needs of strangers as your very own, this heart of heroic compassion’s seeds are sown. What saintly virtue is by this shown?
Altruism.
88. Willingness to earnestly ask forgiveness shown, mending bonds of trust that disrespect had torn. What healing act makes right what wrongs have done?
Repentance.
89. When want gives way to selfless generosity, you live this virtue that sets the suffering free. What act springs from utmost empathy?
Charity.
90. Valuing learning, wisdom and keeping your mind awake, from ignorance and folly this prudent path does break. What virtue rejects prejudice for progress’ sake?
Discernment.
Riddles About Life’s Mysteries
91. I am always hungry and must always be fed, the finger I touch will soon turn red. Who am I?
Fire.
92. What gets broken without being held?
A promise.
93. The more you take of me, the more you leave behind. What am I?
Footsteps.
94. I have rivers but no water, forests but no trees, cities but no buildings. What am I?
A map.
95. What goes all around the yard but never moves?
A fence.
96. You can see me in water, but I never get wet. What am I?
A reflection.
97. People buy me to eat, but never eat me. What am I?
Plates.
98. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
99. I have cities but no houses, mountains but no trees, and water but no fish. What am I?
A map.
100. People make me, save me, change me, raise me. What am I?
Money.
Riddles to Ponder Life’s Purpose
101. The poor have it. The rich need it. If you eat it you die. What is it?
Nothing.
102. What starts with E, ends with E, but only has 1 letter?
An envelope.
103. Voiceless, I cry. Wingless, I flutter. Toothless, I bite. Shadowless, I flee. What am I?
The wind.
Conclusion
Religious riddles can be fun brain teasers that also encourage contemplation of timeless spiritual themes and virtues. They challenge us to think more deeply about concepts like faith, prayer, morality and the mysteries of life. While often rooted in specific traditions, their themes bridge cultural divides to illuminate our shared humanity. Puzzling over their layered meanings can be a meditative exercise that provides new perspective. When we open our minds to find the answers, it expands our capacity for wisdom.
