Sheng Guan Tu

Sheng Guan Tu means "Promotion Official Chart" in English. It is a classic Chinese game similar to Chutes and Ladders or Kang Le Qi. The game is allegedly from the Ming dynasty and was created by the calligrapher Ni Yuan-Lu. The game plays with a top that is similar to a Teetotum or Jewish Dreidel. The person who reaches the last promotion wins. Promotion games such as this one and Hor Lor Boon were very popular in ancient China. Parents often encourage their children to play promotion games, hoping that the games would stimulate the children to work hard on the track to officialdom. During the Cultural Revolution, the game was banned and has since been out of print.