Nine Linked Rings: The Modern Legend of a Millennia-Old Puzzle, Challenging Your Logical Limits!

⚡️Introduction

Nine Linked Rings: The Modern Legend of a Millennia-Old Puzzle, Challenging Your Logical Limits!

The Nine Linked Rings, an intellectual toy originating from ancient China, not only carries the cultural heritage of millennia but also serves as an excellent tool for modern individuals to challenge themselves and exercise their thinking. From the poetry of the Western Han Dynasty's talented woman Zhuo Wenjun to the creation of modern Guinness World Records, the charm of the Nine Linked Rings transcends time and space, inspiring countless people's wisdom and patience. Today, this traditional toy has once again become a hot topic, not only because of its complex solution but also because of the profound mathematical principles and life philosophies it embodies. Are you ready to take on this challenge and experience the sense of accomplishment from solving the Nine Linked Rings?

Introduction to the Nine Linked Rings

The Nine Linked Rings is a Chinese folk magic and intellectual toy. It consists of nine metal rings attached to a horizontal board or various frames, with a handle running through them. When playing, following a specific sequence of operations, the nine rings can be separated or combined into one.

Chinese Name

Solving the Nine Linked Rings

Type

Intellectual Toy

Material

Nine metal rings

Purpose

Trains patience and logical thinking

Solution Steps

"It takes a total of 341 steps to remove or attach the nine rings from the frame. Solving the Nine Linked Rings requires following specific steps, with a simple口诀 (mnemonic): 'One, three, five, seven, nine; two, four, six, eight.' When removing one ring, the second cannot be removed, but the third can. When the first two are attached, the third is removed. When the first three are removed, the fourth cannot be removed, but the fifth can. Each time a ring is removed, all previous rings must be reattached and then restored." Mr. Yang shared that some foreign scientists believe the Nine Linked Rings also contains advanced mathematical principles like binary and life philosophies. "Playing with the Nine Linked Rings can help adjust your mood and is endlessly enjoyable."

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Many people are familiar with the Nine Linked Rings as an intellectual toy. Mr. Yang Tongxi is an expert who has been playing with the Nine Linked Rings for over 30 years. Not only does he play, but he also makes and researches them. His "Folk Toy Nine Linked Rings Craftsmanship" has been included in Xi'an's second batch of intangible cultural heritage traditional handicraft recommendations.

"I learned this craft from my master when I was a teenager. After teaching me how to play, he advised me to learn how to make them myself to pass on this tradition. Now, I can make several types of Nine Linked Rings, including those with copper rods and jade rings. I can also use bamboo or hemp rope to create them. Recently, I've been experimenting with making them from cowhide. Playing with the Nine Linked Rings is addictive. My wife and son can now play too. I hope that after being listed as an intangible cultural heritage, more people will enjoy the Nine Linked Rings."

Historical Background

According to Ming Dynasty scholar Yang Shen's "Danqian Zonglu," two interlocking rings were once made from jade, "two rings interlocked as one, with a mechanism to separate them into two or combine them into one." Later, copper or iron replaced jade, becoming a toy for women and children. It has a history of nearly two thousand years in China. In a letter from Zhuo Wenjun to Sima Xiangru, there is a line: "The Nine Linked Rings are broken in the middle." During the Qing Dynasty, "Dream of the Red Chamber" also records Lin Daiyu skillfully solving the Nine Linked Rings. Zhou Bangyan left a famous line about the Nine Linked Rings: "Even with skillful hands, the interlocking rings can be solved."

Zhuo Wenjun, a talented woman and poet of the Western Han Dynasty, mentioned the Nine Linked Rings: "The seven-stringed zither lies untouched, the eight-line letter remains unsent, the Nine Linked Rings are broken in the middle, gazing from the ten-mile pavilion with longing eyes; a hundred thoughts, a thousand memories, with no choice but to resent my love."

Zhuo Wenjun lived during the Western Han Dynasty, while Zhuge Liang lived during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, when the Han Dynasty was already fragmented. The two lived hundreds of years apart. This means that the Nine Linked Rings existed hundreds of years before Zhuge Liang. Therefore, the claim that "the Nine Linked Rings were invented by Zhuge Liang" is incorrect and likely a later misconception.

Making and Playing

The Nine Linked Rings are widely popular, with diverse forms and specifications. They are made by crafting nine small metal rings connected to a horizontal board or various frames, with handles shaped like swords, Ruyi, butterflies, or plum blossoms. Each ring is connected to a copper rod. When playing, the nine rings are interlocked on the copper rod or completely detached through a series of moves. The solution is varied, allowing for separation or combination, with endless possibilities. A skilled player needs 81 moves to interlock the nine rings on a rod and 256 moves to completely detach them. Additionally, they can be arranged into shapes like flower baskets, embroidered balls, or palace lanterns.

Records

The Guinness World Record for solving the Nine Linked Rings is 237 seconds, set by Chinese Wang Zhongbin.

On August 17, 2019, at the 2019 Beijing Cultural and Creative Competition "Wentou International" Cup Ancient Chinese Intellectual Toy Nine Linked Rings National Challenge in Beijing, China, Ye Jiaxi from Xiamen successfully solved the large Nine Linked Rings in 2 minutes and 28.60 seconds. After official verification, Ye Jiaxi set a new world record for "Fastest Time to Solve the Large Nine Linked Rings."

In 2020, Ye Jiaxi, an intellectual game enthusiast from Xiamen, received an email from the Guinness World Records management team. Within the stipulated time of 2 minutes and 41 seconds, he achieved a time of 2 minutes and 23.384 seconds, setting a new Guinness World Record for "Fastest Time to Blind Solve the Nine Linked Rings."

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Keywords

Nine Linked Rings, Intellectual Toy, Chinese Elements, Traditional Culture, ✨Star8s, Guinness World Records, Logical Thinking, Mathematical Principles, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Chinese-style Products