The customs of “Τριωδίου” and the riddles of this period
In Greece, during the period of the “Τριωδίο” (Triodio), about a month and a half before the Greek Easter, there is a custom for children and adults to dress up in various costumes. This custom is something like Halloween and is called “Απόκριες” (apocries). Also during the same period there is a custom in some regions of Greece, some men to dress up in monstrous costumes, bells and with fake phalluses in the middle and tease the women they meet. In some of them, the women are told to solve riddles like like the ones below to let them go on their way. The custom varies from region to region and it is very likely that it originates from ancient festivals in honor of the god Dionysus (and earlier it may have come from various gods of the angularity of the earth). The costumes with the phalluses may represent the satyrs, who were monstrous followers of the god.
I have added the solutions to avoid inappropriate comments in the process of solving them.
- It’s something the Pope has, but doesn’t use. Your father has it but your mother uses it too. Something nuns don’t need. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s is big, while James Fox’s is rather small. What is it? – their last names
- I show it to you and you get scared, I put it inside you and it hurts, I take it off and it has spilled, and yet it has benefited you! What am I? – an injection
- I put him dry in the hole and take it out wet! What am I? – a bucket and a well
- I put it in stretched, I take it out wrinkled! What am I? – a sock
