Magic terms

Magic is a domain encompassing the art of illusions that defy logical explanation, performed by skilled practitioners known as magicians. Magic, magicians, and magic shows combine sleight of hand, misdirection, psychological manipulation, and theatrical storytelling to produce experiences that challenge perceptions of reality. Magic, magicians, and magic shows range from intimate close-up performances to grand stage spectacles, often featuring illusions, escapes, mentalism, and comedic elements.

Magicians have evolved from ancient street performances and court entertainments to sophisticated productions on global stages and television. Contemporary magic shows, such as those by David Copperfield in Las Vegas or the touring Champions of Magic, blend traditional techniques with modern technology and interactive elements to engage diverse audiences. Magicians like Penn & Teller, Shin Lim, and Young & Strange have achieved international acclaim for innovative approaches and viral performances, while venues such as The Magic Castle and Marvyn’s Magic Theater serve as hubs for both established and emerging talent. Magic shows are accessible through live theater, television specials, and digital platforms, ensuring the enduring appeal and continual reinvention of this performance art.

Mentalist and magician Jon Finch has helped thousands of clients put on fun, interactive, magical events.

  • Theatre Set Design

    Theatre set design is the process of designing and creating physical environments for use in...

  • Optical Illusion Devices | Optical

    Optical illusion devices are tools or equipment designed to create visual phenomena that deceive the...

  • Disappearing Trick

    “Vanishing Act” is an idiomatic expression in the English language used to refer to a...

  • Trap Doors

    Trap Door Systems are mechanical configurations designed to allow a surface section to swing or...

  • Smoke Screen Effects

    “Smoke Screen Effects” refers to the strategic phenomenon employed primarily in military and naval settings,...

  • Linking Rings

    Linking Rings is an iconic trick in the performance art of magic, specifically stage magic....

  • Thread Dispensing Mechanism

    Thread reel mechanisms are intricate devices employed in textile industries to wind and unwind threads,...

  • Cups and Balls Routine

    Cups and Balls Routine is a classic magic performance involving the manipulation of balls and...

  • Final Load Reveal

    “Final Load Reveal” is a term used in the entertainment industry, particularly in magic and...

  • Nesting Cups | Nested Cup

    Nested Cup Tricks is a form of sleight of hand magic that involves the skillful...

  • Switch Techniques

    Switch Techniques are a set of strategies used in the field of networking and telecommunications...

  • Penetration illusions

    Penetration illusions are optical phenomena where an object appears to pass through another solid object,...

  • Zig-Zag Girl Illusion

    Zig-Zag Girl Illusion is a classic magic trick that mesmerizes audiences with its baffling optical...

  • Floating Table Trick

    The Floating Table Trick is a mesmerizing illusion that creates the appearance of a table...

  • Quick Change Act

    Quick Change Act is a performance art form characterized by rapid costume changes executed seamlessly...

  • Multiplying Balls Effect

    The Multiplying Balls Effect is a classic magic trick that involves the appearance of multiple...

  • Vanishing Bird Cage Illusion

    The Vanishing Bird Cage Illusion is a classic magic trick that involves making a bird...

  • Parlor Magic

    Parlor Magic is a form of magic performance that takes place in an intimate setting,...

  • Street Magic

    Street Magic is a form of magic performance that takes place in public locations, typically...

  • Gimmick

    “Gimmick” is a term used to describe a unique or unconventional feature, often employed for...

  • Patter | Scripting magic

    Patter is a term used to describe the rapid, continuous sound of footsteps or light...

  • Magic wand

    A magic wand is a slender rod wielded by magicians to perform supernatural feats. The...

  • Prestidigitation

    Prestidigitation is the art of performing magic tricks with skillful sleight of hand. It involves...

  • Transformation

    Transformation is the profound process of altering, reshaping, or changing the form, appearance, or nature...

  • Transposition

    Transposition is a linguistic phenomenon characterized by the rearrangement of elements within a sentence or...

  • Restoration

    Restoration is a category of magical effect in which an object is deliberately destroyed—such as...

  • Production

    Production is a principal category of magical effect in which the magician causes an object,...

  • Miser's Dream

    “Miser’s Dream” is a classic magic trick that involves producing coins from thin air. Originally...

  • Conjuring

    Conjuring refers to the act of summoning something supernatural through a ritual or spell. Conjuring...

  • The Houdini Museum of New York, located at Fantasma Magic, houses over 1,500 pieces of...

  • Visual deception

    Visual deception is a technique employed to manipulate or alter one’s perception through optical illusions,...

  • Cognitive distraction

    Cognitive distraction is a form of attention diversion characterized by the diversion of mental resources...

  • Space misdirection

    “Space misdirection” in magic performance refers to the technique of diverting the audience’s attention to...

  • Verbal misdirection | Misdirection techniques

    Verbal misdirection is a tool employed within the realm of communication, specifically in rhetoric and...

  • Time misdirection

    Time Misdirection is a cognitive phenomenon involving the manipulation of perceived time to the point...

  • Dexterity

    Dexterity is the physical skill and ease in using one’s hands or body, often paired...

  • Card Flourish

    Card flourishing is a performance art that uses a regular deck of playing cards to...

  • Palm transfer

    “Palm transfer” in the context of sleight of hand magic refers to the act of...

  • Finger control

    Finger control is the capacity to manipulate and coordinate the movements of fingers, primarily through...

  • Grip change

    “Grip change” in the context of sleight of hand magic refers to the deliberate and...

  • Illusionary Perspective

    Illusionary Perspective is a concept in visual perception that exploits the brain’s tendency to interpret...

  • Forced perspective

    Forced perspective is an optical illusion employed in visual arts, particularly in filmmaking and photography,...

  • Coin Roll flourish

    The “Coin roll” in the context of coin magic is a flourish where a coin...

  • Depth illusion

    Depth illusion is a visual phenomenon where objects appear to have more or less depth...

  • Close-up magic

    Close-Up Magic is a sub-category of the broad field of illusionary arts, distinguished by its...

  • Table Magic is a subgenre of close-up magic that primarily involves tricks performed in an...

  • Intimate Performance

    “Intimate Performance” is a concept deeply rooted in the discipline of performing arts, specifically referring...

  • Pocket tricks

    Pocket Tricks are miniature illusions or magic acts designed to be performed discreetly from one’s...

  • Angle Sensitivity

    “Angle sensitivity” in the context of a close-up magic trick refers to the degree to...

  • Micro-Magic

    Micro-Magic is an intricate form of close-up sleight of hand that focuses on the performance...

  • Stagecraft

    Stagecraft is an encompassing term for the technical aspects of theatrical, film, and video production....

  • Theatrical Design

    Theatrical design is the umbrella term for the various visual and aural elements that coalesce...

  • Lighting Cues

    “Lighting Cues” are instructions provided to the lighting technicians in theatrical and performance settings, guiding...

  • Prop management

    “Prop management,” often referred to as “Pocket management” by walk-around magicians, is the strategic organization...

  • Blocking Techniques

    “Blocking techniques” in the context of magic performance refer to the deliberate positioning and movement...

  • Theatre Set Design

    Set construction is the process of designing and creating physical environments for use in visual...

  • Escape Artist

    Escapology is the science and art of escaping from restraints or other forms of confinement....

  • Locksmithing

    Lock picking is an art involving the manipulation of locking device components to open a...

  • Houdini's Milk Can Escape

    The Milkcan Escape is a famous illusion and escape act popularized by the legendary magician,...

  • Transformation

    Metamorphosis is a biological process by which an organism physically develops after birth or hatching,...

  • Underwater Escape

    Underwater Escape is a specialized survival technique employed primarily in the aviation and diving industries....

  • Houdini Straitjacket Escape

    Straitjacket escape is a performance art, primarily associated with escapology and magic shows, where the...

  • False Deals

    “False Deals” is a term commonly used in the field of card games, particularly within...

  • Deck Cooling

    Card fans are a visual display created by spreading playing cards in an arc. Originating...

  • One-Handed Cuts | Cardistry One-Handed

    “One-Handed Cuts” is a specialized category of card manipulation techniques, utilized predominantly in the domain...

  • Card Coil Springs

    Card Springs is a mechanical component designed primarily to provide resistance to applied compression forces...

  • Color Change

    The Color Change is a sleight-of-hand technique in card magic where one card visually transforms...

  • Card Magic Trick

    Double Lift is a conjuring sleight employed in the field of card magic. Predominantly used...

  • Textures

    “Rough and Smooth” is a designation that primarily refers to the tactile properties of an...

  • Card Control

    Card Control is the practice of manipulating the position of a selected card within a...

  • False Shuffle

    False Shuffle is a deceptive card handling technique often employed in the realm of magic...

  • Mentalism

    Mentalism is a performing art in which its practitioners, known as mentalists, use mental acuity,...

  • Cold Reading

    Cold Reading is a deceptive psychological strategy utilized predominantly by individuals purporting to have psychic...

  • Mind Reading

    Telepathy is a form of extrasensory perception that allows the transfer of information between individuals...

  • Forecasting

    Prediction is the act of forecasting future events or results based on current data, historical...

  • Proposal

    “Suggestion” is the psychological process by which one person guides the thoughts, feelings, or behaviour...

  • Psychokinesis

    Telekinesis is the alleged ability to move or manipulate objects with the mind. Often a...

  • Book Test

    A Book Test is a routine employed in mentalism acts, displaying an illusion of mind-reading....

  • Islamic Medallion

    The Koran Medallion is an ornamental piece, often made from precious metals, that embodies Islamic...

  • Off by One

    “Off by One” in the context of mentalism refers to a strategic “out” or contingency...

  • Center Tear Magic Trick

    “Center Tear” is a technique widely used in mentalism, characterized by its stealth and subtlety....

  • Confabulation

    “Confabulation” in the context of mentalism is a class of prediction effects where the performer...

  • Swami writer

    A swami writer is a small, covert writing device used in magic and mentalism to...

  • Spirit Slates

    Spirit Slates are historical artefacts used in parapsychology, spiritualism, and mentalism, particularly during séances in...

  • Mental Epic

    Mental Epic is a classic effect in the realm of mentalism, combining elements of prediction...

  • Pencil Mind Reading

    Pencil Reading is a psychological technique often employed in the field of mentalism, where a...

  • Headline Prediction | News Headline

    Headline Prediction is a sophisticated function of Natural Language Processing (NLP) that anticipates the most...

  • Promotional Events

    Publicity stunts are strategic, often dramatic, actions orchestrated to attract media attention and create public...

  • Questions and Answers Act

    The “Q&A Act” is a hypothetical legislative framework designed to regulate the process of Questions...

  • Two Person Telepathy

    “Two Person Telepathy,” also known as the “Second Sight” act, is a classic mentalism performance...

  • Mathematical Magic Square

    Magic Square is a grid of numbers, typically an integer matrix, arranged such that the...

  • Hypnotherapy

    Hypnosis is a trance-like state of heightened concentration and suggestibility, often compared to daydreaming or...

  • Levitation

    Levitation is a phenomenon in which an object is suspended against gravity, without physical contact,...

  • Fortune Telling

    Divination is an age-old practice rooted in the belief of gaining insight into a question...

  • Palming

    Palming is a tactile manipulation technique employed in magic tricks and sleight of hand performances...

  • Palm Trees

    The Classic Palm is a foundational sleight-of-hand technique in magic, used to secretly conceal objects...

  • Indoor Palm Plants

    “Finger Palm” is a technique in sleight of hand magic, primarily used to secretly hold...

  • Card Magic Trick

    “Back Palm” is a sleight of hand technique, highly revered in the realm of card...

  • Palm Top

    “Top Palm” is a fundamental technique in card magic, leveraging the art of sleight-of-hand to...

  • Card Trick Techniques

    The “Bottom Palm” is a sleight-of-hand technique used in the art of card magic, attributed...

  • Sleight of Hand

    The Tenkai Palm Technique is a sleight of hand maneuver predominantly used in coin and...

  • Thumb Palm

    “Thumb Palm” is a specific anatomical region of the human hand, crucially involved in providing...

  • Riffle Force

    The riffle force is a classic card forcing technique in which a magician appears to...

  • Classic Force

    The “Classic Force” is a sleight-of-hand technique employed in the realm of magic and illusion,...

  • Cross-Cut Force

    Cross-Cut Force is a mechanical concept in physics, concerning the interaction of forces applied in...

  • Slip Cut

    “Slip Cut” is a sleight-of-hand technique used predominantly in card magic, renowned for its deceptive...

  • Psychological Force

    Psychological Force is a type of mentalism force that involves the use of psychological techniques...

  • Absence Processes

    “Disappearance mechanisms” are processes that result in the vanishing of an object or person. The...

  • Dove Production

    Dove Production is a specialized discipline within the realm of stage magic, involving the conjuring...

  • Load Chambers

    “Load chambers” are concealed compartments within props, such as cages, boxes, or tables, used to...

  • Bird Harness

    “Bird Harness” is a specialized type of pet equipment designed specifically for avian species. It...

  • Flash appearance

    “Flash appearance” in the context of dove magic refers to a theatrical illusion in which...

  • Concealment Techniques

    “Concealment Techniques” refer to the methods and strategies used to secretly hide doves or props...

  • Mechanical Release Systems

    “Release Mechanisms” refer to the specialized devices or systems designed to discreetly and safely release...

  • Flash Paper

    Flash paper is a type of specially prepared tissue paper, saturated with a mixture of...

  • Invisible Thread

    “Invisible Thread” refers to a type of thread which is either clear or matches so...

  • Thumb Tip

    The Thumb Tip is a specialized magician’s prop that fits over the performer’s thumb, typically...

  • Sleight Coordination

    Sleight Coordination is the intricate skill of executing precise and seamless movements with dexterity and...

  • Ball Loading Techniques

    “Ball Loading Techniques” refer to the sleight-of-hand methods and strategies magicians use to secretly load...

  • Black Art Principle

    The “Black Art Principle” is a visual illusion technique that uses a uniform black background,...

  • Magic Apparatus

    Magic apparatus refers to the tools, devices, and equipment utilized by magicians to create illusions...

  • Coin Magic

    Coin magic is a form of prestidigitation that focuses on the manipulation and tricks involving...

  • Shim

    A “Shim” refers to a small, thin piece of ferromagnetic material, often steel, embedded into...

  • Shell | Coin shell

    A “Shell” is a specially-crafted magic gimmick resembling a hollowed-out coin that fits seamlessly over...

  • Scotch and Soda

    “Scotch and Soda” is a classic coin trick that utilizes a specially gimmicked set of...

  • Coins Across

    “Coins Across” is a classic magic trick where coins visibly travel from one hand or...

  • Change Bag

    A change bag is a magical switching prop used in the art of illusion, sleight...

  • Dove Pan

    Dove Pan is a specialized magic prop used by magicians for producing live birds during...

  • Anamorphic Art

    Anamorphic art is a unique form of visual expression that employs distorted images or shapes,...

  • Afterimage

    Afterimage is a visual illusion where an image continues to appear in one’s vision after...

  • Ames Room

    An Ames Room is a specially designed distorted room that creates an optical illusion, making...

  • Moiré Pattern | Moiré Effect

    Moiré pattern is an interference pattern created when two grids or patterns with slightly different...

  • Visual Persistence

    Persistence of Vision is a phenomenon in visual perception where an image lingers in the...

  • Breakaway Wand

    Breakaway Wand is a prop used in magic performances, designed to create an illusion of...

  • Svengali Deck

    Svengali Deck is a specialized deck of playing cards used in magic tricks, consisting of...

  • Propless mentalism

    Propless mentalism is the art of mentalism, mind reading, and psychological illusion without props. Propless...

  • Macro effect

    A macro effect is a magic trick or mentalism effect in which everyone in the...

  • Billet reading

    A billet is a small slip of paper commonly used in mentalism and spiritism performances...

  • Three-Card Monte

    The Three-Card Monte is a classic sleight-of-hand trick and street con game in which a...

  • Equivoque | Magicians Choice

    Equivoque, also known as the Magician’s Choice, is a psychological and verbal technique used in magic...

  • The Unholy Three

    Magicians Rob Zabrecky, David Lovering, and Fitzgerald, a magic cabaret trio called The Unholy Three,...

  • Automatic writing

    Automatic writing is a technique in which the mentalist performer or volunteer writes without conscious...

  • Umbrakinesis

    Umbrakinesis is the ability to manipulate shadows, often presented as a form of psychic or...

  • Hydrokinesis

    Hydrokinesis is the ability to manipulate water through supernatural or psychic means, often showcased in...

  • Inedia

    Inedia is the ability to survive without food or water, often presented in mentalism and...

  • Invisibility

    Invisibility is a concept often explored in magic, mentalism, and psychic entertainment; where performers create...

  • Levitation

    Levitation is a magic illusion where an object or person appears to defy gravity by...

  • Materialization

    Materialization is the act of creating an object or making an object appear from seemingly...

  • Mediumship

    Mediumship is the practice of facilitating communication between the living and the spirits of the...

  • Prophecy

    Prophecy refers to the act of predicting or revealing future events, often presented as a...

  • Psychic surgery

    Psychic surgery is a performance art illusion where the magician, mentalist, or psychic entertainer creates...

  • Pyrokinesis

    Pyrokinesis is the theatrical illusion of controlling or creating fire through the power of the...

  • Teleportation

    Teleportation refers to the illusion of transporting a person or object from one location to...

  • Time travel

    Time travel is the manipulation of time, convincing the audience an event defying explanation occurred...

  • Xenoglossy

    Xenoglossy is the illusion of speaking or understanding a language unknown to the performer, presented...

  • Clairvoyance

    Clairvoyance is the ability to perceive hidden or distant information beyond the range of human...

  • Dowsing

    Dowsing is practice of seeking water or other substances with the aid of a forked...

  • Dream telepathy

    Dream telepathy is the telepathic communication with another person during a dream state, often presented...

  • Precognition

    Precognition is the foresight of future events, often presented as a demonstration of psychic or...

  • Psychometry

    Psychometry is divination of information about an object or its owner through physical contact or...

  • One ahead principle

    The one ahead principle is a foundational mentalism technique that allows the performer to stay...

  • Remote viewing

    Remote viewing is the illusion of perceiving and describing distant or unseen locations, objects, or...

  • Retrocognition

    Retrocognition is the perception of past events, often presented as an exhibition of psychic or...

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