The Tarot has many remarkable stories, including a prophecy in ancient Egypt predicting its downfall, leading sages to encode secrets into symbols, eventually becoming tarot cards.
Objective: Discuss the history and knowledge of the Tarot.
Playing Cards in Europe
Playing cards introduced to Europe from Egypt (Mamluk playing cards).
Mamluk cards featured:
52 cards in 4 suits (Coins, Polo Sticks, Cups, Swords)
10 pip cards and 3 court cards per suit
Early European decks mirrored Mamluk designs but adapted suit symbols (e.g., sticks for polo sticks).
Early European Playing Cards
Examples of early European cards include ornate Aces and the presence of court cards (King, Knight, and Page).
An example card pack thought to be Venetian (dated 1462) shows the attrition rate of cards was high.
Trick-taking Games and Trump Suits
Introduction to trick-taking games (such as Whist and Bridge).
Concept of Trump suits adding complexity to these games.
Ludus Trium forum (Game of Triumphs) in Latin, with the origin of the word Trump from Italian 'Triomfi'.
Structure of Tarot Packs
Example: The Maasai Tarot from 17th-century France.
4 suits: Coins, Cups, Swords, Staves with ornate designs and 4 court cards per suit (Page, Knight, Queen, and King).
21 numbered Trump cards and an unnumbered Fool card (not considered a Trump).
The Visconti-Sforza Tarot
Earliest known tarot cards: The Visconti-Sforza Tarot cards from the 15th century.
Hand-painted, expensive cards likely used by nobility.
Sets include the Cary-Yale Visconti and Pierpont Morgan sets, with notable cards such as the Empress, Strength, and Death.
Historical context: 15th-century Italy's city-states and mercenary leaders, like Francesco Sforza.