I can hear the clicking when I say the expression "Spin the Wheel" in my mind. It must be from my childhood at the circuses/carnivals.
The spin wheel game has been on the record since ancient Greek and Roman times. Each segment had its own outcome and the game has risk and excitement and in only a few seconds. That's what we like about chance and fortune.
The Roman goddess Fortuna's wheel of fortune determined people's fortunes. Wikipedia says she spins it at random, changing the positions of those on the wheel: some suffer great misfortune, others gain windfalls. And that it was already a cliche in ancient times.
The origin of the word is from the "wheel of fortune"—the zodiac, referring to the Celestial spheres of which the 8th holds the stars, and the 9th is where the signs of the zodiac are placed. The concept was first invented in Babylon and later developed by the ancient Greeks, with early references from Cicero's In Pisonem.
Hamlet know about the wheel of fortune: to "break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel." I find there are many references in his plays.
From this philosophical context, the wheel of fortune in modern day generally refers to a casino game. There are lots of them - but wouldn't the most famous be Roulette?
And there's the Wheel of Fortune Game Show where (I had to look this up) contestants solve world puzzles to win cash and prizes that are determined by spinning the wheel.
Such a journey for the wheel of fortune. From the serious philosophies of ancient times to now - where it has become a source of fun and pleasure.
We can buy a spinning prize wheel with 10 - 14 slots sitting on a table top. Amazon, Temu and Wayfair Canada all have them. Why don't we all have one?
This is the Port Dalhousie Carousel. I guess it makes me think of the Wheel of Fortune, going round and round.
