In fiction, a wizard usually refers to a male magician, while a witch usually refers to a female magician. However, the term \u201cwitch\u201d is gender-neutral and can be used to describe both men and women.<\/p>\n
What does Magician mean?<\/h3>\n
The word \u201cmagic\u201d comes from ancient Greek<\/a> and it was used to describe the rituals performed by Persian priests.<\/p>\n In the late 14th century, the term was redefined as meaning: ” the art of influencing or predicting events and producing marvels using hidden natural forces”.<\/p>\n This term was adopted in the French<\/a> language and, in turn, the English language adopted the French word.<\/p>\n Only in the 19th<\/sup> century did the meaning shift towards describing feats that are accomplished using optical illusions, sleight of hand and misdirection.<\/p>\n The history of magic goes a long long way back! For the first few millennia, magic is mostly associated with the occult and the pseudo-demonstration of paranormal feats. In fact, magic as entertainment is almost non-existent.<\/p>\n Historians consider the tribal shamans as being the first magicians. They would demonstrate \u201capparent\u201d feats of magic and act as the healers for their tribe.<\/p>\n One of the earliest written recordings of a magician comes from Ancient Egypt. His name was “Dedi”<\/a> and the recording dates back to 2700 BC. Whether this magician was real or simply fictional is still unknown.<\/p>\n In Europe, magicians as entertainers make their appearance in the Middle Ages. They entertained people at fairs and in circuses.<\/p>\n \u00a0The Conjurer by Early Netherlandish<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n At the time, the fear of witchcraft<\/a> was at an all-time high. For that reason, tricks were often presented as gambling routines rather than \u201cmagic\u201d (If you were condemned as being a “witch”, your career would end prematurely…).<\/p>\n In fact, magic will continue to be linked to spiritualism and witchcraft until the 1700.<\/p>\n In the 19th<\/sup> century, magic begins its social ascension and starts to be performed in theatres. This is in large parts due to Robert Houdin<\/a> (1805 \u2013 1871) in France. He is known as the \u201cfather of modern magic\u201d.<\/p>\n He was a pioneer in making magic \u201celegant\u201d; tailoring his show to be suitable for the French aristocracy. The image of a magician with a long tailcoat and a top hat comes from this area.<\/p>\n Just a few decades later, he will inspire Harry Houdini<\/a> (1874 \u2013 1926), in the United States. Houdini’s escape stunts will make him an international phenomenon. One of his most famous performance pieces was the straight jacket escape.<\/p>\nWhat is the history of magic?<\/h3>\n
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