The customs of “Τριωδίου” and the riddles of this period
In Greece, during the period of the “Τριώδιο” (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). During the same period there is a custom in some regions of Greece for men to dress up in monstrous costumes, with bells and fake phalluses, resembling satyrs. They tease the women they meet and ask them to solve riddles like the ones below in order 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.
I have added the solutions to the riddles 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
