Origin of Snakes and Ladders Board Game: Tracing its Roots
Snakes and Ladders, a classic board game enjoyed by many in the UK, has its origins deeply rooted in Indian moral philosophy and spiritual teachings. Originally known as Moksha Patam or Gyan Chauper, the game was designed as a moral allegory illustrating the journey of life towards spiritual liberation.
The game's history dates back at least 2,000 years, possibly earlier, with some sources attributing its creation to the 13th-century saint Gyan Dev, while others suggest the game evolved over centuries and could have been played on wooden boards in ancient times. The earliest surviving boards mainly come from the 17th century.
Philosophically and spiritually, the game was pedagogical, reflecting key Hindu values. Ladders represented virtues such as generosity, faith, and humility, which enabled progress towards enlightenment. Snakes symbolized vices such as anger, lust, and theft, which caused setbacks in one’s spiritual journey. The ultimate goal was to reach the top square, symbolizing moksha—the release from the cycle of birth and death.
Thus, the game served both as a fun pastime and as a didactic tool to teach children about karma, ethics, and the consequences of their actions, reinforcing Hindu concepts of morality. Its evolution was influenced by other religious and philosophical traditions including Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, and even Christianity, although its core remained rooted in Indian spirituality.
When adopted into the West, the game was simplified into a non-moralistic children's board game, losing much of its spiritual allegory. However, the game's outcome is determined by luck, not skill or strategy, providing an outlet for competitiveness without any meanness.
The simplicity of Snakes and Ladders is believed to give it universal appeal. The game does not require manipulation, skill, general knowledge, or primal cognitive skills, just the ability to count and throw a die. Games of pure chance, such as Snakes and Ladders, offer a rare experience of surrender, allowing players to relinquish responsibility and simply exist in the moment.
The ladders in Snakes and Ladders represent life's lucky breaks, while snakes stand for setbacks and misfortunes. Playing Snakes and Ladders can help rehearse emotional ups and downs in a safe, contained environment, potentially teaching about acceptance and resilience. Despite the loss of its original purpose in modern-day play, Snakes and Ladders remains one of the UK's most popular board games, offering a unique blend of entertainment and spiritual reflection.
References:
- Chakravarty, D. (2003). The story of Snakes and Ladders. Children's World, 29(3), 16-18.
- Garg, R. (2004). The origin of Snakes and Ladders. The Hindu, 22 July.
- Thompson, S. (2018). The therapeutic benefits of Snakes and Ladders. Psychology Today, 12 May.
- Thompson, D. (2002). The game of Snakes and Ladders: Its origin, history, and significance. Journal of Indian Philosophy, 30(3), 317-330.
Incorporatingelements from various religious and philosophical traditions, the game of Snakes and Ladders once served as a didactic tool for teaching Hindu values, mirroring life's journey towards spiritual enlightenment. Today, the home-and-garden solution of Snakes and Ladders, a beloved board game in the UK, offers a unique combination of entertainment and self-reflection, symbolizing life's lucky breaks and setbacks. While it may no longer carry its original spiritual meaning, the game still provides a safe space for rehearsing emotional ups and downs, fostering acceptance and resilience in one's lifestyle.
