Abstract: An improved search puzzle and an improved method for making a search puzzle are disclosed, in which letters or other symbols in a search field are oriented at a plurality of angles, thereby increasing the challenge of finding search strings embedded therein. In preferred embodiments, the symbols are arranged in an array that can be rectangular or square. The puzzle can include an answer bank that lists the hidden search strings or gives indications thereof. In some embodiments, each symbol is oriented at an angle that is a multiple of 45 or 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the symbols are either upright or inverted. The orientations of the symbols in the search strings can be irrelevant, or necessary to the search. The search strings can be words, and/or can include rebus symbol strings.