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{{Redirect|Trip to Jerusalem|the public house in Nottingham|Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem}}
{{Redirect|Trip to Jerusalem|the public house in Nottingham|Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem}}
{{Other uses|Musical chairs (disambiguation)}}
{{Other uses|Musical chairs (disambiguation)}}
{{moreref|date= February 2021}}
{{more citations needed|date= February 2021}}
{{Infobox Game
{{Infobox Game
| subject_name=Musical chairs
| subject_name=Musical chairs
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| footnotes = }}
| footnotes = }}
'''Musical chairs''' is the official name for the game, also known as '''Trip to Jerusalem''' but not an official name for it
'''Musical chairs''', also known as '''Trip to Jerusalem''', is a game of elimination involving players, chairs, and music. It is a staple of many parties worldwide.
, is a game of elimination involving players, chairs, and music. It is a staple of many parties worldwide.


== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
A set of chairs is arranged with one fewer chair than the number of players (for example, seven players would use six chairs). While music plays, the contestants walk around the set of chairs. When the music stops abruptly, all players must find their own individual chair to occupy. The player who fails to sit on a chair is eliminated.<ref name= No-Elim>{{cite book| url= | title= Cooperative Games and Sports: Joyful Activities for Everyone| chapter= No-Elimination Games| first= Terry |last= Orlick |year= 2006| publisher= Human Kinetics | isbn= 9780736057974| page= 21}}</ref> A chair is then removed for the next round, and the process repeats until only one player remains and is declared the winner.
A set of chairs is arranged in a circle with one fewer chair than the number of players (i.e. nine players would use eight chairs). While music plays, the contestants walk around the set of chairs. When the music stops abruptly, all players must find their own individual chair to sit on. The player who fails to sit on a chair is eliminated.<ref name= No-Elim>{{cite book| url= | title= Cooperative Games and Sports: Joyful Activities for Everyone| chapter= No-Elimination Games| first= Terry |last= Orlick |year= 2006| publisher= Human Kinetics | isbn= 9780736057974| page= 21}}</ref> One chair is then removed for the next round, and the process repeats until only one player remains and is declared the winner.


In [[Wales]], musical chairs had a similar custom to the modern version, with slight differences; the boys would always sit whilst the girls would skip around, always outnumbering the boys. If a girl didn't sit fast enough on the boy's lap, she would have to forfeit. This would continue until the end when the winning girl would kiss the last boy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-dymar-urdd-1975-online|title = Watch Dyma'r Urdd}}</ref>
In [[Wales]], musical chairs had a similar custom to the modern version, with slight differences: the boys would always sit whilst the girls would skip around, always outnumbering the boys. If a girl didn't sit fast enough on the boy's lap, she would have to forfeit. This would continue until the end when the winning girl would kiss the last boy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-dymar-urdd-1975-online|title = Watch Dyma'r Urdd}}</ref>


<gallery>
<gallery>
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== History of the name ==
== History of the name ==
{{unsourced section|date=July 2021}}
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}
The origins of the game's name as "Trip to [[Jerusalem]]" is disputed. However, it is known to come from its German name ''Reise Nach Jerusalem'' ("The Journey to Jerusalem"). One theory suggests that the name was inspired by [[the Crusades]], wherein several heavy losses were incurred. Another theory suggests that it was inspired by the [[Aliyah]], the immigration of Jews from the [[diaspora]] to the Land of Israel (which includes the modern State of Israel), wherein it is stated that spaces on ships taking the Jews to the said land were limited. None of these theories were officially confirmed.
The origins of the game's name as "Trip to [[Jerusalem]]" is disputed. However, it is known to come from its German name ''Reise Nach Jerusalem'' ("The Journey to Jerusalem").<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Gamesver |date=2022-02-23 |title=History of Musical Chairs (Game) - Origins, Meaning, Metaphor,… |url=https://www.gamesver.com/history-of-musical-chairs-game-origins-meaning-metaphor/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Gamesver |language=en-US}}</ref> One theory suggests that the name was inspired by [[the Crusades]], wherein several heavy losses were incurred. Another theory suggests that it was inspired by the [[Aliyah]], the immigration of Jews from the [[diaspora]] to the Land of Israel (which includes the modern State of Israel), wherein it is stated that spaces on ships taking the Jews to the said land were limited. None of these theories have been officially confirmed.


==As metaphor==
==As metaphor==
The term "playing musical chairs" is also a [[metaphor]] for describing any activity where items or people are repeatedly and usually pointlessly shuffled among various locations or positions. It can also refer to a condition where people have to expend time searching for a resource, such as having to travel from one gasoline station to another when there is a shortage. It may also refer to political situations where one leader replaces another, only to be rapidly replaced due to the instability of the governing system (see [[cabinet reshuffle]]).
The term "playing musical chairs" is also a [[metaphor]] for describing any activity where items or people are repeatedly and usually pointlessly shuffled among various locations or positions. It can also refer to a condition where people have to expend time searching for a resource, such as having to travel from one gasoline station to another when there is a shortage. It may also refer to political situations where one leader replaces another, only to be rapidly replaced due to the instability of the governing system (see [[cabinet reshuffle]]).

== In popular culture ==
The game is featured in the musical [[Evita (musical)|''Evita'']] during the number ''"The Art of the Possible"'', wherein it serves as a symbolic metaphor of [[Juan Perón]]'s rise to power. In this sequence, Peron and a number of military officers play the game, which the former wins.

The game is used on the lenten special of ''[[Sunday PinaSaya]]'' entitled "Trip to Jerusalem" aired on [[GMA Network]] in April 9, 2017. It featured the young girl Jessie (played by [[Barbie Forteza]]).


==See also==
==See also==
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* [[Hot desking]]
* [[Hot desking]]
* [[Level-coil]]
* [[Level-coil]]
* ''[[Oh Sit!]]'', a game show based on musical chairs


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 13:17, 6 August 2024

"Trip to Jerusalem" redirects here. For the public house in Nottingham, see Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.
For other uses, see Musical chairs (disambiguation).
Musical chairs
Musical chairs being played at a party
PlayersVariable
Setup timeVariable
Playing timeVariable
ChanceMusic stoppage may seem random to players, but is under the control of the leader
Age rangeUsually children
SkillsQuick reaction time

Musical chairs, also known as Trip to Jerusalem, is a game of elimination involving players, chairs, and music. It is a staple of many parties worldwide.

Gameplay

A set of chairs is arranged in a circle with one fewer chair than the number of players (i.e. nine players would use eight chairs). While music plays, the contestants walk around the set of chairs. When the music stops abruptly, all players must find their own individual chair to sit on. The player who fails to sit on a chair is eliminated.[1] One chair is then removed for the next round, and the process repeats until only one player remains and is declared the winner.

In Wales, musical chairs had a similar custom to the modern version, with slight differences: the boys would always sit whilst the girls would skip around, always outnumbering the boys. If a girl didn't sit fast enough on the boy's lap, she would have to forfeit. This would continue until the end when the winning girl would kiss the last boy.[2]

  • Before the game
    Before the game
  • Starting the game
    Starting the game
  • Reducing numbers
    Reducing numbers
  • Down to the last two
    Down to the last two
  • A winner!
    A winner!

History of the name

The origins of the game's name as "Trip to Jerusalem" is disputed. However, it is known to come from its German name Reise Nach Jerusalem ("The Journey to Jerusalem").[3] One theory suggests that the name was inspired by the Crusades, wherein several heavy losses were incurred. Another theory suggests that it was inspired by the Aliyah, the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to the Land of Israel (which includes the modern State of Israel), wherein it is stated that spaces on ships taking the Jews to the said land were limited. None of these theories have been officially confirmed.

As metaphor

The term "playing musical chairs" is also a metaphor for describing any activity where items or people are repeatedly and usually pointlessly shuffled among various locations or positions. It can also refer to a condition where people have to expend time searching for a resource, such as having to travel from one gasoline station to another when there is a shortage. It may also refer to political situations where one leader replaces another, only to be rapidly replaced due to the instability of the governing system (see cabinet reshuffle).

The game is featured in the musical Evita during the number "The Art of the Possible", wherein it serves as a symbolic metaphor of Juan Perón's rise to power. In this sequence, Peron and a number of military officers play the game, which the former wins.

The game is used on the lenten special of Sunday PinaSaya entitled "Trip to Jerusalem" aired on GMA Network in April 9, 2017. It featured the young girl Jessie (played by Barbie Forteza).

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Musical chairs.
  1. ^ Orlick, Terry (2006). "No-Elimination Games". Cooperative Games and Sports: Joyful Activities for Everyone. Human Kinetics. p. 21. ISBN 9780736057974.
  2. ^ "Watch Dyma'r Urdd".
  3. ^ Team, Gamesver (2022-02-23). "History of Musical Chairs (Game) - Origins, Meaning, Metaphor,…". Gamesver. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
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