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The history of tarot cards is a fascinating journey that spans several centuries. Tarot cards are often associated with divination and fortune-telling, but their origins are rooted in playing cards and the cultural developments of Europe. Let’s explore the history of tarot from its beginnings to the present day.
what is the tarot card?
Tarot cards are a deck of cards that are traditionally used for divination, or seeking insight and understanding into questions about the future, relationships, and personal growth. A typical tarot deck contains 78 cards that are divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent major life events, while the Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards that are broken into four suits (wands, cups, swords, and pentacles), each with its own set of meanings. Tarot readers use various spreads or layouts to interpret the meanings of the cards, and may also use their intuition or psychic abilities to provide insight and guidance to the querent, or person receiving the reading.
Origins of Tarot: The history of tarot in the 14th and 15th century
While the exact origins of the tarot are not known for certain, there is evidence to suggest that the tarot may have evolved from a type of playing cards that were commonly used in Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries. These cards were known as “trionfi” or “triumphs,” and they were used in a game similar to today’s bridge or poker. The trion-fi cards featured allegorical images that were intended to illustrate moral lessons and virtues.
It is believed that around the mid-15th century, the trionfi cards began to be used for more than just gaming. Wealthy Italian families commissioned artists to paint custom decks featuring their family crests and other personal symbolism. These decks were not meant for public sale or use, but they did lay the groundwork for the development of the tarot as we know it today.
The first known tarot decks were produced in Italy during the early Renaissance, and they were used primarily for playing card games. These early decks had only 16 trump cards, along with the standard four suits (cups, swords, coins/pentacles, and batons/wands). The imagery on the earliest tarot decks was varied, but most of them featured allegorical characters and pairs of opposing figures.
The Etteila Tarot: The history of tarot in the 18th century
The transformation of tarot cards from a mere playing card deck to a tool for divination began in the 18th century. French and English occultists, such as Antoine Court de Gébelin and Etteilla, popularized the idea that tarot cards held mystical and esoteric symbolism. They proposed that the cards contained ancient wisdom and encoded knowledge from Egyptian and Kabbalistic traditions.
In the late 18th century, a French occultist named Jean-Baptiste Alliette (who went by the pseudonym “Etteilla”) published the first tarot book specifically focused on divination. This publication, along with subsequent interpretations by other occultists, set the stage for the use of tarot cards as a tool for fortune-telling and spiritual insight.
The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck: The history of tarot in the 19th century
One of the most influential tarot decks in history is the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, published in 1909. Created by artist Pamela Colman Smith and writer Arthur Edward Waite, the Rider-Waite deck departed from earlier decks in its symbolic imagery and detailed illustrations. It became immensely popular and set the standard for many future tarot decks.
The Rider-Waite Tarot deck introduced significant changes, such as depicting scenes and characters on the pip cards (numbered cards) rather than just the suit symbols. This innovation enabled readers to interpret the cards more intuitively and expanded the possibilities for divination.
Modern Tarot: The History of tarot in 20th century
The 20th century saw a significant expansion in the world of tarot. With the rise of interest in spirituality and personal growth, tarot became more accessible to the general public, moving beyond the realm of occult circles. This led to the emergence of various artistic styles and themes in tarot decks, catering to different tastes and interests.
Some tarot decks focused on specific spiritual traditions, such as the Golden Dawn Tarot based on the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, or the Motherpeace Tarot which explored feminist and indigenous spirituality. Other tarot decks, such as the Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris, experimented with abstract and surreal designs.
In addition to the variety of artistic styles, tarot continued to evolve in its interpretation and application. Many authors and practitioners contributed to its development as a psychological and spiritual tool, with Carl Jung bringing attention to its archetypal imagery and Rachel Pollack exploring it as a means of personal growth and self-exploration.
Tarot readings became a popular form of guidance and reflection, offering insights into various aspects of one’s life, including relationships, career, and spiritual journey. This evolution and accessibility have allowed tarot to become a widely recognized and respected tool for personal growth and spiritual exploration in the modern age.
The history of tarot cards is not clear but Today, tarot remains a widely practiced form of divination and a tool for personal growth and exploration. Tarot decks come in various styles, from traditional to avant-garde, and people from diverse backgrounds and belief systems use tarot cards for guidance, meditation, and creative inspiration.
