History of Tarot: From Italian Card Game to Contemplative Tool

Origin: From Card Games to Contemplation

Tarot was not always the spiritual tool we know today. Its origins lie in the world of 15th-century Italian card games, when decks of cards called "trionfi" (triumphs) were added to standard decks to create complex strategy games. In practice, begin with the position's job, then let the card image sharpen the answer.

Early Stage: Early Decks

For the first time, tarot appeared in Ferrara and Milan with 21 cards in the "trionfi" suit plus the Fool, added to the standard Italian deck of four suits: Wands, coins, cups and swords. These early decks were designed for strategy games, where each card had its own strategic role.

It is not that tarot is an independent invention. Researchers have determined that early European playing cards originated from Egyptian Mamluk playing cards invented in or before the 14th century, after paper was introduced from Asia to Western Europe. In the late 1300s, European countries began producing their own decks of cards, based on the Mamluk model but with variations in the suit and card nobility symbols.

The Spread Across Europe

Tarot games don't stop in Italy. From its Italian roots, tarot games spread to most of Europe, evolving into regional variations such as German Grossstarok, French Tarot and Austrian Königrufen. These games are still popular and organized into international tournaments, especially in Austria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

In France, French Tarot was initially popular only in Provence in the 18th century, but flourished in the 1950s to the point of becoming the second most popular card game in France. Italy continues to maintain its distinctive regional tarot games, while Denmark is the only Nordic country to retain this tradition.

Transformation: From Playground to Contemplation

A key turning point occurred in the late 18th century. French mystics began to make detailed claims—though without definitive evidence—about the history and spiritual significance of the tarot. From this point on, tarot split into two separate streams:

Playing Card Decks: Traditional decks such as the Tarot de Marseille and the Swiss 1JJ Tarot, originally designed for gaming, are still used for that purpose today.

Contemplative decks: Specially designed decks with elaborate images, each card corresponding to an assigned archetype or meaning for readings, contemplation or other spiritual purposes. For a cleaner reading, translate the symbol into one observable choice or behavior.

Tarot Deck Structure

Whether used for games or contemplation, tarot decks keep a standard structure. It consists of four suits (suits) that vary by region: the French suits are used in Western, Central and Eastern Europe, while the Latin suits are popular in Southern Europe. Each suit has 14 cards: ten numbered cards (from 1 or Ace to 10) and four noble cards (King, Queen, Knight and Queen). Besides, tarot also has a separate "trump" (special card) set of 21 cards and an independent card called The Fool.

Modern Revival

Although tarot games declined in the 20th century, they have experienced a revival in some countries and regions. At the same time, demand for tarot for contemplative purposes has increased significantly, especially in English-speaking countries and Spain, where traditional card games are less popular.

Today, the tarot represents a historic intersection between entertainment, regional traditions, and spiritual inquiry—a deck of cards that transcends temporal and cultural boundaries.

Reference source: Wikipedia — Tarot The strongest interpretation usually connects image, position, and question in one sentence.

A question to sit with

Tarot is a visual language. Which era in this history feels closest to how you use the cards today? Revisit the spread later and compare what changed in real life with what the image suggested. When an interpretation feels too dramatic, narrow it to the practical step it actually supports.