Tarot is a popular deck of cards using intricate designs that have set it apart from the more conventional 52 card French Deck.
Originating in the 15th century as a simple card game, Tarot has evolved into a tool for divination and self-reflection, drawing interest from spiritual seekers, artists, and scholars alike. Even beyond its use in cartomancy and divination, Tarot has historically been a popular motif and symbol in popular culture, even if it’s typically been simplified down to mere aesthetics.
Tarot’s origins can be traced to northern Italy in the early 1400s, when illustrated trump cards, were added to the standard 4 suit card deck. Initially, the tarot cards, called trionfi, were played in a card game called tarocchi, played for entertainment among the nobility.
Hand-painted works of art
The earliest known Tarot deck, the Visconti-Sforza Tarot, was commissioned by the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti. These early decks were hand-painted works of art, featuring allegorical images that reflected Renaissance culture and philosophy.
These decks did not become widespread until the introduction of the printing press made it easy to mass produce. Many card games would soon pop up using Tarot cards, such as tarocchini a simplified version of tarocchi that is still played in parts of Eastern Europe to this day.
Tarot as a game was similar to modern trick-taking games, with a deck made up of four suits of 14 ‘Minor Arcana’ that were denoted by suits, numbered cards, and court cards much like the standard deck of playing cards.
Iconic images
Uniquely, Tarot also included 22 additional cards, later known as the Major Arcana, which depicted symbolic figures such as the Fool, the Magician, and the World. These iconic images would later become central to Tarot’s later use in divination and serve as common iconography in modern pop culture.
Tarot’s association with mysticism began in the late 18th century when French occultists, such as Antoine Court de Gébelin, claimed that the cards had ancient Egyptian origins and encoded esoteric wisdom.
Although these claims lacked any credible historical evidence, they sparked widespread interest in Tarot as a spiritual tool. It is around this time when the occult and mystical associations were made, that the terms Major Arcana and Minor Arcana propped up, terminology not used at all in Tarot card games.
In 1909, Arthur Edward Waite and artist Pamela Colman Smith revolutionised Tarot with the publication of the Rider-Waite deck. This deck, still widely used today, introduced detailed illustrations for all 78 cards, including the Minor Arcana.
Smith’s vibrant and symbolic artwork made Tarot accessible to a broader audience, allowing users to interpret cards intuitively without relying solely on traditional meanings. The Rider-Waite deck also solidified Tarot’s structure: 22 Major Arcana cards representing life’s significant themes and 56 Minor Arcana cards divided into four suits — Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles — depicting everyday experiences.
Creativity
Today, Tarot is more popular than ever, transcending its mystical roots to become a tool for self-discovery and creativity. While some use Tarot for divination, others see it as a form of storytelling or a way to explore their own subconscious. Tarot’s appeal lies in its versatility and universality. Each card’s imagery speaks to universal human experiences — joy, struggle, transformation — inviting users to reflect on their lives. Modern Tarot has embraced inclusivity, readily accepted by marginalised communities, with decks representing diverse cultures, genders, and perspectives.
