Why is it chutes and ladders

The historic version was an allegory of the journey of life where you ascend due to destiny, or karma, represented by ladders, but are set back by kama, or desire, represented by snakes.

There were more snakes than ladders, making it harder to ascend to Moksha — spiritual liberation. The British adopted the game as the Victorians adapted it to their worldview of the effects of good deeds and bad deeds.

The virtues correspond with the ladders and the vices correspond with the snakes. The number of snakes and ladders were made equal. When the game was published in the United States by Milton Bradley in , they redesigned it to eliminate the scary snakes and instead translate it to the playground. On the board, children climb ladders and slide down descending chutes.

It maintains a little of the original morality lessons. At the bottom of each ladder, a child is performing a good deed. At the top of a chute, the child is doing something mischievous. Chutes and Ladders was first published by Milton Bradley in While not as obvious as on the game board, they will present themselves if you are looking for them.

Work toward your goal as if there are no ladders, and when they appear and you find yourself closer to your goal, celebrate. Enjoy the victory of being catapulted ahead.

It will help you continue your forward progress when you hit the next chute. Chutes and Ladders is teaching my three-year-old many lessons. Please Sign In and use this article's on page print button to print this article.

Laura Doehle, Founder of Elevation Business Consulting, partners with small business owners to make their vision actionable. Ages 3 and up. For 2 to 3 players. Adult assembly required. No reading required to play. Chutes and Ladders and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.

Oct 12, , IST. The board game, today called Snakes and Ladders, originated in ancient India, where it was known with the name Mokshapat or Moksha Patamu. It's not exactly known when or who invented it, though it's believed the game was played at a time as early as 2nd century BC. According to some historians, the game was invented by Saint Gyandev in the 13th century AD.