The Fascinating History of Tarot Cards

The Origins: 15th Century Italy

Contrary to popular belief, tarot cards did not originate in ancient Egypt or with the Romani people. The earliest documented tarot cards appeared in northern Italy during the early 15th century, likely between 1410 and 1430. These cards were originally created for a game called "tarocchi" (or "tarock" in German-speaking regions), which was popular among Italian nobility.

The first tarot decks were hand-painted luxury items commissioned by wealthy families like the Visconti and Sforza of Milan. These stunning works of art featured elaborate gold leaf details and were far too expensive for common use. The famous Visconti-Sforza deck, parts of which still survive today, is one of the oldest and most complete examples of early tarot.

These early decks contained the same basic structure we recognize today: 78 cards divided into the Major Arcana (originally called "trionfi" or triumphs) and four suits of Minor Arcana. The suits typically featured cups, coins, swords, and batons (now often called wands or staves).

Spread Across Europe

Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, tarot spread from Italy to France, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. As it traveled, the game evolved, and regional variations emerged. The French developed their own tarot tradition, which influenced the designs we commonly see today, including the Tarot de Marseille style that became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries.

During this period, tarot remained primarily a card game, similar to bridge or poker. There is little historical evidence of tarot being used for divination or fortune-telling during these early centuries.

The Occult Connection: 18th Century

The transformation of tarot from a card game to an occult tool began in the late 18th century. In 1781, a French occultist named Antoine Court de Gebelin published a work claiming that tarot cards contained hidden wisdom from ancient Egypt. Although this theory has since been thoroughly debunked by historians, it captured the imagination of the European occult community.

Following Court de Gebelin, a French fortune-teller known as Etteilla (Jean-Baptiste Alliette) created the first tarot deck specifically designed for divination in 1789. Etteilla assigned divinatory meanings to each card and developed spreads for reading, laying the groundwork for modern tarot practice.

This period established many of the esoteric associations we now take for granted, linking tarot to astrology, Kabbalah, and various mystical traditions.

The Golden Dawn and Modern Tarot

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw tarot become firmly established as a tool for spiritual exploration. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society dedicated to the study and practice of occult knowledge, played a crucial role in this development.

Golden Dawn members developed elaborate correspondences between tarot cards and other esoteric systems, including astrology, the Hebrew alphabet, and the Tree of Life from Kabbalah. This work deeply influenced all subsequent tarot interpretation.

In 1909, Arthur Edward Waite, a Golden Dawn member, collaborated with artist Pamela Colman Smith to create what would become the most influential tarot deck in history: the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. This deck was revolutionary because it included illustrated scenes on all 78 cards, not just the Major Arcana, making the cards more accessible for intuitive reading.

Tarot Today

Today, tarot has experienced a remarkable renaissance. Once associated primarily with fortune-telling parlors, tarot has entered the mainstream as a tool for self-reflection, meditation, and personal growth. Thousands of tarot decks are now available, ranging from traditional designs to contemporary artistic interpretations.

Modern tarot readers often approach the cards from a psychological perspective, seeing them as mirrors that reflect our unconscious thoughts and feelings rather than predictors of a fixed future. This interpretation aligns with the ideas of Carl Jung, who saw the archetypal imagery of tarot as valuable tools for exploring the psyche.

Whether you view tarot as a spiritual practice, a psychological tool, or simply a fascinating historical artifact, the cards continue to captivate and inspire people around the world. The journey from Renaissance game to modern meditation aid is a testament to the enduring power of these 78 remarkable images.