Chinese linking rings
Encyclopedia
The Chinese linking rings is considered to be a classic of illusion magic
. In the traditional effect, solid metal rings appear to link and unlink, pass through each other, and form chains and other complex patterns and configurations. The rings may even be handed out to audience members for examination. Sometimes an audience member is invited onto the stage to perform alongside the magician as part of a 'do as I do' routine.
It was believed that Ching Ling Foo
was one of the early performers of the linking rings in the form known today. Speculation about the rings' origin has been traced to Turkey, Egypt and the Middle East and as far back as the 1st century. A painting by Giacomo Mantegazza in 1876 shows a harem girl holding a set of rings above her head.
French magician Philippe (Jacques Andre Noel Talon) was one of the first recorded magicians to use the rings. During the second half of his show, he donned an Oriental robe and conical cap. He took 8 inches (203.2 mm) solid metal rings and had the audience examine them. He claimed that he learned them from a troupe of Chinese jugglers in Britain. After the rings were returned, Philippe proceeded to link and unlink them. From there he made combination of glittering circles into complicated designs. According to Robert-Houdin, he said that for a finale, Philippe blew on them and they fell separately on the floor. Robert-Houdin himself also performed a version of the trick.
Recent magicians who are known for their performances with the linking rings include Dai Vernon
, Richard Ross, Jack Miller, Michael Skinner, Whit Haydn
, Ian Ray - "The Genie Ali Pali", Jeff McBride
, Shoot Ogawa
, Fu Manchu
, Tina Lenert
, Fábio De'Rose, Jim Cellini, and Tom Frank. Christian Bale
's character, Alfred Borden, performs the trick in The Prestige
. The number of rings used can vary from two to as many as ten or more. A standard set of commercially available rings typically includes eight rings.
In 1988, Japanese magician Masahiro Yanagida performed with miniature Ninja
rings, using four rings that were four and a half inches (or 11.43 cm) in diameter. Since then, the Chinese linking rings have also become a favourite performance item for close-up magicians.
Many magicians look for rings that make a nice ring tone when they strike each other.
The ability to show that the rings are all separate and solid is usually done using a false count. The illusion of the joining and unjoining of the rings is achieved by sleight of hand and optical illusion. Performers strive to make the penetration of one ring by another appear smooth, plain, and clear.
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
. In the traditional effect, solid metal rings appear to link and unlink, pass through each other, and form chains and other complex patterns and configurations. The rings may even be handed out to audience members for examination. Sometimes an audience member is invited onto the stage to perform alongside the magician as part of a 'do as I do' routine.
It was believed that Ching Ling Foo
Ching Ling Foo
Ching Ling Foo , born Chee Ling Qua , is credited with being the first modern East Asian magician to achieve world fame.- Biography :Born in Beijing, Foo studied traditional Chinese magic and was a well-respected performer in his homeland....
was one of the early performers of the linking rings in the form known today. Speculation about the rings' origin has been traced to Turkey, Egypt and the Middle East and as far back as the 1st century. A painting by Giacomo Mantegazza in 1876 shows a harem girl holding a set of rings above her head.
French magician Philippe (Jacques Andre Noel Talon) was one of the first recorded magicians to use the rings. During the second half of his show, he donned an Oriental robe and conical cap. He took 8 inches (203.2 mm) solid metal rings and had the audience examine them. He claimed that he learned them from a troupe of Chinese jugglers in Britain. After the rings were returned, Philippe proceeded to link and unlink them. From there he made combination of glittering circles into complicated designs. According to Robert-Houdin, he said that for a finale, Philippe blew on them and they fell separately on the floor. Robert-Houdin himself also performed a version of the trick.
Recent magicians who are known for their performances with the linking rings include Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon , aka The Professor, was a Canadian magician. His expert sleight-of-hand technique and extensive knowledge garnered him respect among fellow magicians. His influence was considerable in the magic world, and he was a mentor to numerous famous magicians...
, Richard Ross, Jack Miller, Michael Skinner, Whit Haydn
Whit Haydn
Whit "Pop" Haydn is an American magician, the winner of six "Magician of the Year" performing awards from the Magic Castle, the Hollywood clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts...
, Ian Ray - "The Genie Ali Pali", Jeff McBride
Jeff McBride
Jeff McBride is an American magician from Monticello New York. He is known for his sleight of hand skills and specializes in the manipulation of playing cards, coins, and other small objects. His stage performances blend elements of kabuki, a Japanese theater form, with traditional conjuring...
, Shoot Ogawa
Shoot Ogawa
Shoot Ogawa is a magician from Tokyo, Japan who has been interested in magic from the age of 10. Ogawa has been featured on television in Japan and is a corporate entertainer....
, Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu
Dr. Fu Manchu is a fictional character introduced in a series of novels by British author Sax Rohmer during the first half of the 20th century...
, Tina Lenert
Tina Lenert
Tina Lenert is an American magician, mime and harpist. She has performed worldwide and is known for combining elements of pantomime and magic. For many years she has been a regular performer at the world famous Magic Castle, in Hollywood where she has been voted Stage Magician of the Year by the...
, Fábio De'Rose, Jim Cellini, and Tom Frank. Christian Bale
Christian Bale
Christian Charles Philip Bale is an English actor. Best known for his roles in American films, Bale has starred in both big budget Hollywood films and the smaller projects from independent producers and art houses....
's character, Alfred Borden, performs the trick in The Prestige
The Prestige (film)
The Prestige is a 2006 mystery thriller film written, directed and co-produced by Christopher Nolan, with a screenplay adapted from Christopher Priest's 1995 novel of the same name. The story follows Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, rival stage magicians in London at the end of the 19th century...
. The number of rings used can vary from two to as many as ten or more. A standard set of commercially available rings typically includes eight rings.
In 1988, Japanese magician Masahiro Yanagida performed with miniature Ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
rings, using four rings that were four and a half inches (or 11.43 cm) in diameter. Since then, the Chinese linking rings have also become a favourite performance item for close-up magicians.
Rings
A quality set of eight linking rings can be obtained from a supplier of magic props. Most consider 8 inches (203.2 mm) rings to be the smallest size suited for stage performance, while 12 inches (304.8 mm) rings are common; 15 inches (381 mm) rings are also available, but rarely seen in use. Larger sizes are often constructed from stainless steel tubing for the best combination of durability and weight. Professionals may wish to have a set of larger-diameter rings for use on a stage, or a 'close-up' set of rings in the 4–5 in (10.2–12.7 cm) range.Many magicians look for rings that make a nice ring tone when they strike each other.
Method
One method of performing this illusion would be that the magician appears to show several separate and solid rings, but some of the rings are gimmicked.The ability to show that the rings are all separate and solid is usually done using a false count. The illusion of the joining and unjoining of the rings is achieved by sleight of hand and optical illusion. Performers strive to make the penetration of one ring by another appear smooth, plain, and clear.