Chinese linking rings
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The Chinese Linking Rings is considered to be a classic of illusion magic. Performed by magicians both from the East and West over time, seemingly solid rings are passed through each other in a linking and unlinking motion to form a chain — or more complex patterns — of rings. Recent magicians who are well-known for their performances with the Linking Rings include Michael Skinner, Whit Haydn, Jeff McBride, Shoot Ogawa, Jim Cellini and Tom Frank. The number of rings used can typically vary from 3 to more than 6. A 'standard set' of commercially available rings includes 8 rings.
In 1988, Japanese close-up and expert magician Masahiro Yanagida performed his miniature linking rings routine, the 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 skilled close-up magicians.
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[edit] The effect
Typically, a combination of rings will be used:
- "C" ring: A metal ring with a small gap. The gap is to be concealed by magician's hand.
- "O" ring: A single complete ring
- OO ring: 2 or more "O" rings linked together. They cannot be separated. Also to be have the links concealed for most time.
The effect of joining and unjoining solid steel rings can be created with any number of rings, but this example assumes there are six. The magician will have six locking, or key rings. These rings have in fact an opening which can be closed by a simple "locking" mechanism that is almost invisible at a distance of one or two feet. Opening one of the keys will create a gap to insert the other rings; this gap can be easily covered when the magician holds the ring in his hand. This allows the magician to make a group of up to six seemingly connected rings.
There is another method, which is little more complicated. The method is so good that the magician can give the rings to audience to inspect, except one. Only one of them has an opening, it can also be without any mechanism, just a gap. There are different kinds of groups of solid joined rings and solid single rings depending on the technique used. The magician can give the audience one ring to inspect at the beginning and at the end he can give them the joined rings. The illusion is made by different hand movements and optical illusion. Good magicians can appear to count these rings one by one, but in reality he is just showing the one with the gap and the solid one that isn't already joined with the others.
Throughout the trick the magician will confuse the audience with exaggerated and unusual hand movements designed to disguise the simplicity of the trick.
In performing with the rings, the rings are typically continually in motion, clanging and ringing against each other. The motion allows the magician to hide the fact that he is opening and closing some of the rings.
[edit] Rings
A quality set of eight (8) linking rings can be obtained from a supplier of magic props. Professionals consider eight (8)-inch diameter rings to be the smallest size suited for stage performance, while twelve (12") inch rings are common; 15" 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 inch (10-13 cm) range.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Whit Haydn, Comedy Four-Ring Routine, DVD
