The History Of Tarot Cards
The original deck of tarot cards was created in the northern part of Italy in the fifteenth century. The reason for its creation according to documents is for a new card game that was invented at the same time. The game is called Triumphs and it was played in a similar manner to the game bridge.
The tarot deck was used for a game called Triumphs and it was a big hit among the elites of the time period. During this time, cards were hand painted so the cost of the cards was quite high and only the very rich could afford to own them. As the cards were taken to different geographic areas they began to take on new pictures and symbols for the tarot cards.
It is theorized that the game was invented for the Duke of Milan. There is a book that was created to accompany the deck, but interestingly, it does not give the rules of the game. The only information that is contained in the book is the meanings behind the symbols and their ranking in the game. It also does not give any prophetic or divination meaning to the cards.
It is interesting to note that the queen card was added to the deck at the same time. In earlier playing card decks there was not a queen, but there was a king, page and knight. The four suits of cards were the same that we see in today’s playing cards.
The cards changed in their look as they moved from country to country. Every region added their own touch to the designs on the tarot deck. In the time when the cards were created, playing cards, as well as the tarot deck, were hand painted. If the cards exist today, they are artistic masterpieces and very valuable relics from a time gone by.
Interestingly, the book that accompanied the deck does not contain any of the rules for the game. Its pages are filled with the meaning and representation of the pictures on the cards and the ranking of each card in the deck. This book is currently in Paris in the Bibliotheque Nationale.
The tarot has also evolved to include many different spreads of the cards. Each spread of the cards is more suited toward a specific type of reading. For example, if you are interested in knowing the state of your relationship, there is a spread that will work best for this type of question.
As the cards moved from country to country, they began to be changed in their appearance. Every region put its own representation of the tarot deck out for the public display. These hand painted decks of cards are true artistic wonders and should be viewed if you get a chance.
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