The jigsaw puzzle is an invention created by the working people in ancient my country. Regarding its origin, the most popular theory is that the jigsaw puzzle evolved from the ancient "Yan Jitu".
Yanji is a table used at banquets. This small table was originally a set of six, with different sizes and shapes, and various patterns can be assembled according to specific needs. Usually, this kind of small table can also be used as a decoration to display calligraphy, painting and antiques. Later, the number of Yanji changed from six to seven, which was called the "Seven Star Table". However, it was laborious to put the table together, so people used small thin boards to replace the tabletop, which later became the tangram.
? 1. How to play the jigsaw puzzle
The jigsaw puzzle is also called the "tangram" and "wisdom board". It is a traditional puzzle game in my country.
The tangram is composed of seven pieces of cardboard or wooden boards with specific shapes. Although there are only seven pieces, the assembled images are diverse and endlessly changing. These seven boards can be assembled into many shapes, such as triangles, parallelograms, and irregular polygons. Players can also form them into images of various characters, animals, buildings, daily necessities, and some Chinese and English letters.
? 2. The Development of the Tangram
The Tangram was very popular during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Books specializing in the Tangram were published on the market, such as "The New Score of the Tangram" and "The Tangram Eight". Part Picture".
During the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty, the calligrapher Yan Lifang pioneered the "Qiqiao calligraphy". He cleverly combined the art of calligraphy and the jigsaw puzzle technique to create a unique "Qiqiao cursive character".
Since the 19th century, jigsaw puzzles have gradually spread to all over the world and are universally loved by people. European and American countries call the jigsaw puzzle "Tang Tu", which means the Chinese puzzle game. Joseph Needham said it was one of the "oldest pastimes in the East." There is still a copy of "New Score of Seven Skills" in the library of Cambridge University in the UK.
The book "Popular Chinese Puzzle Games" published in the United States also records that the French Emperor Napoleon was a passionate jigsaw puzzle enthusiast. Even after he was exiled to the island, he still played Often play with jigsaw puzzles. The mathematical and logical knowledge contained in the jigsaw puzzle is extensive and profound, which can not only increase the fun of life, but also help young people increase their knowledge and develop their intelligence.