Do you love Rebus Puzzles? Rebus Puzzles are puzzles that contain secret phrases that can only be guessed by looking at the picture clues. They have a very surprising history and they are much older than one would imagine! Here are 5 fun facts you didn’t know about them!
Rebus puzzles are incredibly popular in Japan.
Rebus puzzles are actually known as hanjimono (判じ物) in Japan. They were very popular in the Japan during the Edo period which lasted between 1603 and 1868. In fact, Kabuki actors would wear costumes that utilised rebus principles. This was mainly used by the actors to communicate their guild names. Today, many Japanese corporations use rebus puzzles in their logos, with the most famous being the Yamasa soy sauce company which symbolises the word for mountain!
Rebus puzzles are old!
How old are rebus puzzles? Written rebus puzzles are found in books dating back to the 16th century! The French philosopher Voltaire is credited in helping popularise rebus puzzles in certain parts of Europe during the 17th century. But are these the oldest, one may wonder…
Rebus puzzles are REALLY old
According to www.rebus-puzzles.com, there are even Rebus Puzzles dating back over 5,000 years! The ancient Egyptians used rebus puzzles in their language, also known as hieroglyphics. The famous Egyptian King Ramses II has a famous statue carved to his liking with rebus puzzles inscripted on the mantle to compose his name. Even Ancient Chinese language, and to some extent modern Chinese script, have elements of rebus puzzles.
Rebus puzzles were used to teach the Bible to children in the 1800s
One of the best-selling books of the 1700s was the A Curious Hieroglyphic Bible. It is notable for being one of the 88 books that “Shaped America” according to the Library of Congress. First published in 1784 and then reprinted in 1788, the book featured over 500 rebus puzzles, today there are only known 4 copies that still exist.
Rebus puzzles were the basis of many game shows
The first known Rebus Puzzle themed game show was a US based show called The Rebus Game in 1965, where contestants communicated clues using nothing but Rebus Puzzles and pictures. Since then there have been Rebus Puzzle themed games in India, the UK, and Canada.
