HISTORY OF TAROT
Learn how tarot evolved from a card game into what it is today 1. A MEDIEVAL CARD GAME In the early 15th century, “trionfi” cards were used in Italy as a card game. This deck included four suits (similar to how current card decks are made) and trump cards for a total of 60-70 cards. As rounds, or tricks, continued, each player would offer a card and scores were counted at the end of each round.
TAROT DE MARSEILLES SET //WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
2. TAROCCO BOLOGNESE Around the 15th century, the Tarocco Bolognese emerged as a 62-card deck. According to a manuscript from 1750, it was one of the first decks used for fortune-telling.
3. TAROT DE MARSEILLES By the late 16th century, the “fortune-telling” tarot movement had taken off in France. The most popular deck was the Tarot de Marseilles, and players assigned spiritual meanings to each card. 4. ALLIETTE AND ARCANA Jean-Baptiste Alliette, an eminent French occultist, created a tarot deck in 1789 for the sole purpose of spiritual use. The deck expanded to 78 cards with Major and Minor Arcana categories. The Major Arcana contains 10 allegorical figures, five abstract concepts and seven personified objects.
