Can You Match the Historical Artifact to the Religion?

Monica Lee

Which religion places The Turin Shroud as a relic of utmost importance?

The Turin Shroud is believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus. It's a linen cloth dating back to the medieval period and is said to bear the image of Christ himself.

The Buddha's tooth has legendary importance to what religion?

The Buddha's Tooth is a left canine that was allegedly taken from the Buddha's funeral pyre in 543 B.C. Wars have been fought over the tooth, kept in Sri Lanka, because whoever possesses it has the right to rule the island.

Which religion considers the Dead Sea Scrolls most sacred?

The Dead Sea Scrolls were found near the ancient settlement of Qumran, located on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea (now the West Bank). Written mostly in Hebrew, the Dead Sea Scrolls include fragments from every book of the Old Testament.

The Sarum Ordinal Page or Sarum Pye is a guide for priests in which religion?

This handbook, written in Latin by St. Osmund in the 11th century, was an instructional guide for priests on what to wear and which Bible texts to use during religious festivals.

This bodhigara is the earliest one of it's kind. This shrine is related to which of the religions below?

Scientific studies show the bodhigara in Nepal existed around 550 B.C. The site is most likely one of the earliest Buddhist shrines ever found.

Which religion venerates Urim and Thummim, used as lenses to translate the Golden Plates?

Urim and Thummim are the names of the two transparent translation stones that allowed Joseph Smith, who could hardly read or write in English, to translate the Golden Plates from reformed Egyptian.

The Yin-Yang symbol is sacrosanct to which religion?

Taoism is a religious or philosophical tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (literally “way”). It represents Taoism's way of understanding opposites.

Hezekiah’s Gate was a social hub where the elite would gather. Which religion does this artifact belong to?

King Hezekiah despised false idols, and he destroyed everything related to his father’s godless beliefs. One of the places he destroyed was an important social hub where the elites would sit on benches. This historical shrine-gate, in the city of Tel Lachish, was fully excavated in 2016.

Muhammad's Bowl is a relic of great religious importance to which of these religions?

This 1400-year-old bowl used by Muhammad was passed down through generations of his family, until September 21, 2011 when the bowl was delivered to Chechnya and now is kept in the "Heart of Chechnya" Mosque named after Ahmad Haji Kadyrov in Grozny.

What religion would hold the Crucifixion Bone sacred?

Although it was known that Romans crucified thousands of people, there was no evidence to corroborate this type of execution. At the Israel Museum, archaeologists revisited a stone coffin and found an iron nail hammered into the heel bone of a man. What was interesting was that nailing the heel bone is not normally depicted in crucifixion pictorials.

The Connecticut Mikveh is an artifact of which one of these religions?

An ancient mikveh is a Jewish ritual bath, and the one found in Connecticut was constructed by Jewish immigrants in the 19th century. It replicates the ancient baths in Israel.

The Funeral Garden is a spiritual artifact of which religion?

In 2017, a garden for the dead was discovered at a necropolis on the Dra Abu el-Naga hill, in Luxor (ancient Thebes). This garden is normally created in a grid pattern and is thought to have contained sycamore, palm and Persea trees and even lettuce, since these plants symbolized resurrection.

The Wuji is a simple hollow circle symbol and is important to which of these religions?

The Wuji represents a great void that existed in the beginning of the universe which was beyond space and time. The Wuji can also be known as "the emptiness" or "the undefinable."

The body of St. Francis Xavier is an artifact from which one of these religions?

This 16th-century Roman Catholic missionary did his most famous work in Goa, India. He also became one of the founders of the Jesuit Order.

Anything relating to Muhammad is sacred, including his footprint, according to which religion?

The many artifacts of Muhammad, his followers and other items associated with Muhammad are sacred to Islam and were brought to Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, where they still reside today.

Which religion is associated with The Holy Right Hand?

The Holy Right Hand is thought to have belonged to King Stephen, the first Hungarian King, who died in 1038. When exhuming his body, it was discovered that his right arm resisted decomposition. The hand was encased and is now displayed in the Basilica of St. Stephen in Budapest.

When the Mithraism on Corsica was found, it was part of which extinct religion?

Almost nothing is known about Mithraism, an Indo-Iranian religion, except that the primitive religion worshiped a single deity and was probably all male at first. In 2016, archaeologists in Corsica found the sanctuary’s antechamber and worship room as well as many artifacts.

A skull cap, yamulke or kippah is used during services of which religion?

The skull cap is normally worn by men to show respect to the God above. It is usually only worn during services; however, Orthodox Jews may wear it at all times.

A Tallit is a prayer shawl. What religion treats this shawl with reverence?

The rabbi wears a Talmit when reciting morning prayers. The shawl is to remind the worshipers to follow the religious commandments.

Which religion includes a relic called the "seer stone"?

Seer stones were believed to have been used by Joseph Smith, as well as ancient prophets, to receive revelations from God. Smith would place the stones in a hat, then put his face into the hat to block out all light and receive revelations from the stones.

A relic of St. Serafim of Sarvo's body celebrates which religion?

Not a usual journey for most artifacts, a relic of St. Serafim of Sarvo's body was strapped to the chest of the commander of the Soyuz rocket, who traveled to the International Space Station. The relic was safely returned to Earth on April 10, 2017.

What religion uses the The Lo Pan Compass as a part of its tradition?

The Lo Pan Compass is used by Feng Shui practitioners to orient and evaluate a site—a house or business or land form—protecting it from harmful influences and bringing about a balance of Yang and Yin forces.

Which religion reveres the Crown of Thorns?

The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris hosts several revered relics from Jesus' passion, including the Crown of Thorns placed upon his head.

Which religion holds the Blessed Anna Maria Taigi's body as a holy artifact due to her "incorrupt" body?

The Catholic Church declares as miracles the lack of decomposition experienced by bodies of those considered to be saints. Blessed Anna Maria Taigi's body is one such miracle and is displayed at the San Crisogono Church in Rome.

The Taode jing and Zhuangzi are two scriptures that are artifacts of which religion?

Taoist scriptures, Taode jing (Tao Te Ching) and Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu), were written sometime during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-221 B.C.E.) and were essays about the way, or Tao, rather than scriptures of "channeled" transmissions from divine beings.

St. Paul's Chains are important to which religion?

At San Paolo Fuori Le Mura (St. Paul Outside the Walls), you can see the chains that bound St. Paul before his martyrdom.

The Book of Kells is sacred to which of these religions?

The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin that was created by Celtic monks around 800 A.D. It contains four Gospels of New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) along with various texts and tables.

Which religion feels the Holy Mantle is sacrosanct?

The Holy Mantle, described as a white coat made of goat's hair with large sleeves or a cream fabric with black wool lines (depending on the source), was given as a gift by Muhammad to Ka'b ibn Zuhayr,

It's called a Yad and is an important relic in the tradition of which religion?

This is a Torah reader, which is used so the pages of the holy text are not touched by the fingers. The Torah itself is the most sacrosanct of the religious artifacts of Judaism as it contains the Ten Commandments.

The Watchtower has been the symbol of this religion since its beginning. Which religion is it?

The Watchtower symbolizes how Jehovah's Witnesses should view the significance of events under the light of biblical events. It has been the symbol since the beginning of the religion.

Which religion holds this Spice Box as blessed?

At the end of the Sabbath, Jews mark the end of the work week and the beginning of the Holy day with a Havdalah ceremony. In this ceremony, they smell the spices from the spice box, sip sweet wine and extinguish a candle, bidding each other a sweet week to come.

The Sacred Seal is sacred to which of these religions?

The Sacred Seal of Muhammad was used by Muhammad as a ring to stamp documents. The ring bears the inscription of "Muhammad Rasul Allah" (meaning "Muhammad, messenger of God").

The Shofar is a part of the current and historical ritual of which religion?

A ram's-horn trumpet was used by ancient Jews in religious ceremonies and as a battle signal. In today's Jewish ceremonies, it is sounded at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

The War Flag or Battle Standard is a sacred artifact of which religious group?

In one interpretation, the War Flag had been part of the turban of Buraydah ibn al-Khasib, an enemy who was ordered to attack Muhammad. Instead, the man bowed to Muhammad, unwound his turban and affixed the War Flag to his spear, dedicating it and himself to Muhammad's service.

The Cross and Crown is a symbol of which religion?

This symbol was used on tombstones and publications until 1931. After that, since 1936, Jehovah's Witnesses have rejected the belief that Jesus died on the cross; instead, they believe it was a wood spear.

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About This Quiz

Each religion with its symbols, relics and artifacts convey history, emotion, knowledge and a connection to something more powerful than we are. Whether used in worship, festivals, rites of passage or as daily reminders to followers of tradition, the importance and value of these religious objects are immeasurable. 

From the Yin-Yang symbol to the Prayer Shawl, there are many relics that may be familiar to you. And there will also be unfamiliar artifacts that will spark your love of learning. For instance, did you know that a Mikveh was found in none other than Connecticut in 2012? Or you may want to learn more about the two transparent translation stones that allowed Joseph Smith to interpret the Golden Plates written in reformed Egyptian. 

Unless you have widely studied religion, don't be surprised if you waver on some of the questions and need a hint. There are many religions in this world—approximately 4200 of them! Not to worry, you don't need to know them all. In this quiz, there are only about 10 religions from which to choose. And most of the multiple-choice questions will be on the big one's such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and more. Start your quiz now, and be blessed with correct answers.  

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