Tarot Cards: Values Of Medieval Society
The images that tarot cards bear illustrate the values of medieval society. It is difficult to separate fiction from historical facts concerning the origin of tarot; however, most scholars agree that the initial sole purpose of the cards was entertainment (Farley).
The first playing cards were found in tenth-century China. Because paper was invented there, it makes sense that playing cards were as well. They consisted of two suits: coins and [bamboo] sticks. As the cards made their way down the Silk Road, two more suits; cups and swords, were added by the Islamic empire. This addition took place around the thirteenth century. Playing cards finally made their way to Europe around 1375. Tarot cards first appeared in northern Italy a few years later. According to many mystics, Romani people traveling through the Silk Road began reading fortunes with picture cards called atouts, which were popular in Persia (Gale). Some believe that these cards disguise the teachings of the Gnostic people, and atouts later became known as tarot. What differentiates the tarot deck from a typical playing card deck is the page and knight replacing the jack. In addition to those 56 cards. 22 allegorical cards known as the major arcana were added. They are known …show more content…
This society gripped with Napoleon inspired Egyptomania ate this up despite the blatant lack of evidence. In the nineteenth century, England experienced an occultism revival as well, inspired by the Golden Dawn occultist group. A notable member of this group was Arthur Edward Waite, who published the iconic tarot deck most commonly used in America today for divination. The A.E. Waite deck tells stories through the minor arcana as well as the major arcana. While the major arcana cards seem to symbolize aspects of a story, the minor arcana tells the story
The first playing cards were found in tenth-century China. Because paper was invented there, it makes sense that playing cards were as well. They consisted of two suits: coins and [bamboo] sticks. As the cards made their way down the Silk Road, two more suits; cups and swords, were added by the Islamic empire. This addition took place around the thirteenth century. Playing cards finally made their way to Europe around 1375. Tarot cards first appeared in northern Italy a few years later. According to many mystics, Romani people traveling through the Silk Road began reading fortunes with picture cards called atouts, which were popular in Persia (Gale). Some believe that these cards disguise the teachings of the Gnostic people, and atouts later became known as tarot. What differentiates the tarot deck from a typical playing card deck is the page and knight replacing the jack. In addition to those 56 cards. 22 allegorical cards known as the major arcana were added. They are known …show more content…
This society gripped with Napoleon inspired Egyptomania ate this up despite the blatant lack of evidence. In the nineteenth century, England experienced an occultism revival as well, inspired by the Golden Dawn occultist group. A notable member of this group was Arthur Edward Waite, who published the iconic tarot deck most commonly used in America today for divination. The A.E. Waite deck tells stories through the minor arcana as well as the major arcana. While the major arcana cards seem to symbolize aspects of a story, the minor arcana tells the story