Tangram
A seven-piece dissection puzzle of Chinese origin.
The tangram is a dissection puzzle consisting of seven flat polygons, called tans, which are put together to form shapes. The objective is to replicate a pattern given only an outline using all seven pieces without overlap, or to create original minimalist designs. It is reputed to have been invented in China sometime around the late 18th century and then carried to America and Europe by trading ships shortly after, becoming one of the most widely recognized dissection puzzles in the world, used for amusement, art, and education.
- field
- Puzzle
- known_for
- Seven-piece dissection puzzle used for recreation, art, and education
- origin
- China, late 18th century
Lore & Background
The tangram's historical Chinese inventor is unknown except through the pen name Yang-cho-chu-shih. The puzzle reached England and became very fashionable, with sets exported from China in materials such as glass, wood, and tortoise shell.
Reader's Guide
The tangram's significance lies in its enduring popularity as a dissection puzzle and its use across cultures for amusement, art, and education. It became very popular in Europe for a time, and again during World War I. The puzzle's pieces include two large right triangles, one medium right triangle, two small right triangles, one square, and one parallelogram, the only piece lacking reflection symmetry.
Did You Know?
- The Catholic Church made no objection to puzzle games such as the tangram on the sabbath.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a Tangram?
It is a classic dissection puzzle built around seven flat polygonal pieces called tans. The goal is to arrange all seven pieces so they fit together without gaps or overlaps to match a given silhouette, or to invent your own minimalist figure.
Where and when did the Tangram puzzle originate?
The puzzle is believed to have been created in China during the late 1700s. It subsequently spread to Europe and the Americas through maritime trade, eventually becoming one of the most widely recognized geometric puzzles in the world.
How many pieces are in a standard Tangram set?
A complete set contains exactly seven flat polygonal pieces, collectively referred to as tans. Every valid solution must use all seven pieces with no overlapping permitted.
What is the actual objective when solving a Tangram puzzle?
You are given only the outer outline of a target shape and must figure out how to position all seven tans to fill that silhouette perfectly. Beyond replicating provided patterns, players also enjoy creating their own original designs from the same seven pieces.
What is the Tangram typically used for?
It serves as a recreational pastime, a creative art medium, and a teaching tool in educational settings. Its versatility across these three areas is a major reason it has remained popular for well over two centuries.
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