We are planning a treasure hunt, and we want to tie a clue or riddle to the ostrich egg and iconostasis.

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In Coptic tradition, every object tells a story of salvation and the nature of God.

For the Ostrich Egg

The ostrich egg is a unique Coptic symbol representing Resurrection and Divine Providence—the idea that God's eye is always upon us.

Option 1 (Focusing on Resurrection):

"I am a shell that holds no life, hanging high above the floor. Just as the Lord broke from the tomb, I remind you there is life once more. I am not a bird, yet I come from one who watches her nest with a steady eye, just as God watches you from on high. Find me near the icons or hanging from the lamps."

Option 2 (Focusing on Divine Providence):

"In the desert sands, my mother never looks away until I break my shell. In this holy house, I hang to tell you that God’s eye is always fixed on you, His child. I am smooth, white, and round. Look up toward the lights to find me."

For the Iconostasis

The Iconostasis serves as the bridge between the Nave (Earth) and the Sanctuary (Heaven). It is adorned with the faces of the Saints.

Option 1 (Focusing on the "Window to Heaven"):

"I am a wall that does not hide, but shows you the way to the other side. I am made of wood and skin (parchment), carrying the faces of those who won the race. I stand between where you walk and where the King descends. Look for the 'Royal Door' to find my center."

Option 2 (Focusing on the Saints and Intercession):

"I am the boundary between the earthly and the divine. On me, you will see the Mother of God and the Lord of Glory. I am not a wall to keep you out, but a beautiful window to let the light of the Saints shine in. Stand before me to offer your incense and your heart."

Combining Them into a Sequence

• Clue 1 (Leading to the Iconostasis): "Go to the place where the Earth meets Heaven, where the Saints watch over the prayers of the faithful. Search the barrier that holds the Spirit's windows."
• Clue 2 (Found at the Iconostasis, Leading to the Ostrich Egg): "You stand at the gate of the King. Now look upward to the lights. Find the white sphere that reminds us that God’s eye never sleeps and that the tomb could not hold our Lord."

Educational Note for the Youth:

When they find the egg, you can explain that just as the ostrich is said to hatch its egg by the heat of its constant gaze, God "hatches" our spiritual lives by never turning His face away from us. When they find the Iconostasis, remind them it is called in Coptic, and it represents the "Cloud of Witnesses" surrounding us during the Liturgy.