Which Civilization Is The Origin Of Tarot Cards?

Tarot cards are a powerful divination tool that offers valuable advice to better face the future. They were invented in Italy in the 1430s and can be traced back to medieval Europe, with many scholars believing that they originated from occultism. Tarot cards were initially used for playing games and as a status symbol, but their association with occult and divination practices began. In reality, tarot cards predated the presence of Gypsies in Europe, who actually came from Asia rather than Africa.

The history of tarot cards spans from the myths of ancient Egypt to the artistic Renaissance in Italy. The earliest known tarot-like cards were created in Italy and were used to play a game called tarocchi, similar to bridge. From their Italian roots, tarot-playing cards spread to most of Europe, evolving into a family of games that includes German Grosstarok and modern games such as the Triangle.

The general consensus seems to be that tarot originated in 14th century Europe (most likely Italy) as a card game. Playing cards first appeared in Europe in the 1370s, probably in Italy or Spain and certainly as imports or possessions of merchants from the Islamic Mamlūk. The idea that tarot came from Egypt and was transmitted to Europe by wandering Romani people can be attributed to a French author named Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Tarot cards have made its way to the Triangle through local readers and teaching groups. The playing game of tarot originates from around 1441, Italy, and the cards were used in divination around 1781. Tarot did not originate within Judaism, so it cannot be said that it is at its roots Jewish. A traditional tarot deck consists of 78 cards, which can be split into two groups, the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.


📹 THE AFRICAN ORIGINS OF TAROT | Introduction to Tarot Divination

Gogo Zanemvula gives a brief introduction to the origins of the science of Tarot Divination. Visit www.afrosavvy.com to book …


Are tarot cards mysticism?

Tarot cards, originally used by Italian nobles and aristocrats as playing cards, evolved into a cornerstone of mysticism and spiritual exploration. They were initially used for skill, strategy, and luck in a game called “tarocchi”. However, they also had hidden potential for unraveling life’s mysteries, divining the future, and exploring the human psyche. Italy played a significant role in this transformation, with the Visconti-Sforza deck, created in the mid-15th century for the Duke of Milan, being one of the earliest surviving tarot decks. The deck’s intricate imagery and symbolism hint at a deeper, more mystical purpose, yet to be fully revealed.

Do Japanese use tarot cards?

This essay examines selected images from tarot decks designed in Japan, which reflect a deliberate adaptation process across cultural and temporal borders. The focus is on the under-analyzed and mostly female-gendered domain, focusing on the substitution of medieval European people and elements with images from Japanese art, history, and popular culture. These substitutions either gloss over gaps between Western and Japanese world views or meld them into a new form, allowing the tarot to enter into a different or hybrid metaphysical culture. Tarot cards are important because of their great economic and cultural impact in contemporary Japan, providing insight into domains of pleasure, spiritual exploration, and fandom.

Is tarot ok for Christians?

The notion that tarot cards can exert control over one’s life is a pervasive one, yet there is a paucity of empirical evidence to substantiate this claim.

What culture uses tarot cards?
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What culture uses tarot cards?

Tarot, first known as trionfi and later as tarocchi or tarocks, is a pack of playing cards used in Europe since the mid-15th century for card games like Tarocchini. It has evolved into a family of games including German Grosstarok and modern games such as French Tarot and Austrian Königrufen. In the late 18th century, French occultists made elaborate claims about their history and meaning, leading to the emergence of custom decks for divination via tarot card reading and cartomancy. There are two distinct types of tarot packs in circulation: those used for card games and those used for divination.

Tarot has four suits that vary by region: French suits are used in western, central, and eastern Europe, and Latin suits in southern Europe. Each suit has 14 cards: ten pip cards numbering from one (or Ace) to ten; and four face cards: King, Queen, Knight, and Jack/Knave/Page. Additionally, the tarot has a separate 21-card trump suit and a single card known as the Fool. These tarot cards are still used throughout much of Europe to play conventional card games.

The use of tarot playing cards was once widespread across Europe except the British Isles and the Iberian Peninsula. However, they later experienced a renaissance in some countries and regions. For example, French Tarot was largely confined to Provence in the 18th century but took off in the 1950s, becoming the second most popular card game in France. Tarock games like Königrufen have experienced significant growth in Austria, with international tournaments held with other nations.

What is the true origin of tarot cards?
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What is the true origin of tarot cards?

Tarot decks were invented in Italy in the 1430s, adding a fifth suit of 21 specially illustrated cards called trionfi (“triumphs”) and an odd card called il matto (“the fool”). These cards bore Italian suitmarks and belonged to an experimental period of card design when queens were often added to the series of court cards previously consisting of only a king and two male figures. In standard cards, the four figures were subsequently reduced to three again by suppressing the queen, except in French cards, which suppressed the cavalier (knight).

The trionfi each bore a different allegorical illustration instead of a common suitmark, possibly representing characters in medieval reenactments of Roman triumphal processions. They were originally unnumbered, so it was necessary to remember their order. When added to the pack, trionfi functioned as a suit superior in power to the other four, acting as a suit of triumphs or “trumps”.

What is the science behind tarot cards?
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What is the science behind tarot cards?

Tarot cards have been found to have psychological influences, but they can still have beneficial effects on a person’s mental health when used in a therapeutic context. A 2009 study found that regular users of Tarot cards used them as a tool for self-reflection, providing insight into their current life situations and providing comfort during difficult times. They also used Tarot cards as a tool for positive reinforcement, drawing cards intentionally and randomly to provide insights about their own lives.

Some co-researchers kept a card with them until their goals were resolved, claiming that Tarot does not reveal new information but can provide a new perspective on an issue that can influence a plan for a possible course of action.

This study highlights the potential of Tarot as an effective therapeutic tool, despite the foundational psychological effects behind its mainstream use. Further research on the beneficial impacts of Tarot in a therapeutic setting would involve examining a larger number of participants from a wider variety of backgrounds. Regardless of the reason behind a person’s use of Tarot cards, they have maintained a strong presence in society and have the potential to do more than just predict the future.

Did tarot originate in Egypt?

The popular belief that tarot originated in ancient Egypt is, in fact, a myth. Tarot decks were utilized for card games for centuries prior to the late 1700s, when French pastor Antoine Court de Gebelin became the first documented professional tarot reader. He employed the cards for divination purposes.

Are tarot cards against Catholic religion?
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Are tarot cards against Catholic religion?

Tarot cards and fortunetellers are practices that aim to discover the future, but only God knows the future. The Catholic Church teaches that God can reveal the future to prophets or saints, but a sound Christian attitude involves putting oneself in the hands of Providence and giving up unhealthy curiosity about it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church prohibits all forms of divination, including horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, omen interpretation, clairvoyance, and mediums, which conceal a desire for power over time, history, and other human beings, as well as a desire to conciliate hidden powers. These practices contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear owed to God alone.

People seeking guidance from tarot cards, Ouija boards, and fortunetellers may be dabbling in something forbidden by God, as they may open themselves up to demonic influence. The only way these practices can be “real” is if a demon works through them, giving false guidance about the future. This “real” practice is a real danger and can negatively influence us.

Do Catholics believe in tarot cards?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Do Catholics believe in tarot cards?

Tarot cards and fortunetellers are practices that aim to discover the future, but only God knows the future. The Catholic Church teaches that God can reveal the future to prophets or saints, but a sound Christian attitude involves putting oneself in the hands of Providence and giving up unhealthy curiosity about it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church prohibits all forms of divination, including horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, omen interpretation, clairvoyance, and mediums, which conceal a desire for power over time, history, and other human beings, as well as a desire to conciliate hidden powers. These practices contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear owed to God alone.

People seeking guidance from tarot cards, Ouija boards, and fortunetellers may be dabbling in something forbidden by God, as they may open themselves up to demonic influence. The only way these practices can be “real” is if a demon works through them, giving false guidance about the future. This “real” practice is a real danger and can negatively influence us.

Are Tarot cards Japanese?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Are Tarot cards Japanese?

Tarot cards, a popular form of divination, have been a subject of debate among enthusiasts. Most historians agree that they originated as simple playing cards that entered Europe from Islamic culture around the fourteenth century. This essay examines selected images from tarot decks designed in Japan, focusing on the deliberate adaptation process across cultural and temporal borders. The cards reflect a hybrid metaphysical culture, with visual components created and customized for a Japanese viewer.

The essay examines how medieval European people and elements are replaced with images from Japanese art, history, and popular culture, either glossing over gaps between Western and Japanese world views or melding them into a new form. The importance of tarot cards in contemporary Japan is significant due to their economic and cultural impact. The widespread love of tarot in Japan provides insight into domains of pleasure, spiritual exploration, and fandom.

What religion do tarot cards come from?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What religion do tarot cards come from?

This literature review examines the relationship between Tarot cards and New Age religion, emphasizing their function in the contemporary study of the New Age movement.


📹 The history of Tarot and it’s origins

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Which Civilization Is The Origin Of Tarot Cards?
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Pramod Shastri

I am Astrologer Pramod Shastri, dedicated to helping people unlock their potential through the ancient wisdom of astrology. Over the years, I have guided clients on career, relationships, and life paths, offering personalized solutions for each individual. With my expertise and profound knowledge, I provide unique insights to help you achieve harmony and success in life.

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14 comments

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  • Thokoza gogo👏🏿. You are easily my favourite person to listen to talk about our history as abaNtu, more especially when you speak about the time when we were in KMT. Mawukhuluma ngiva ngatsi bengikhona nami ngaleto tikhatsi, which is likely the case. Sipho sakho lesi. Thank you for what you do for us always❤ And you did not fight fair with bringing that cute one into the article. Kwavele kwaba yi cuteness overload.

  • I deeply appreciate your insight to the deep Kemetic roots, as almost all of the standardized European narrated reflections of the origins of Tarot claim it’s rumor, that some records were kept in the library of Alexandria, etc. These white scholars want to hear that it showed up at a French priest’s door as a playing card deck in the 1300s but deny its ancient Egyptian, indigenous African origins to feel more comfortable. To ignore that their relation to its culture is of the oppressor and the thief.

  • Yes! Thank you so much for this article! You’ve made one of the most important articles on Tarot, if not the most important! I’ve worked with the Thoth deck for the past 18 years, as no other deck resonates. Thank you for sharing the origins of this extraordinary divination instrument with so much clarity ❤️✨🙏🌱

  • Miss/Gogo Zanemvula, I love you so much!!! And this is why… You are a superb teacher. You articulate your knowledge so perfectly and your pronunciation is perfect too. You remind me of Roseology Tarot but your information is much more relevant to us in the southern hemisphere😘 You go deep everytime you teach, and then you say, “please tell me if you want me to delve deeper into that if your interested!” 😄 Then I ask myself, ‘how much info does she have😅😁 Please continue blessing us with your teaching dear. Thanks 🙏🏾♥

  • Ok so I’ve taken a look at the Thoth tarot and it legit have ancient Kemetic and African symbols throughout. In alester crowley’s first deck, it literally says he went to Kemet in 1904 and received (aka stole) all this divine knowledge. It makes sense! Before even checking out the images, I knew I would find the Ankh and lo and behold they’re on different cards. The hanged man was the most obvious. We only people that practiced working with the natural elements for millennia so again makes sense. Thank you! Please make more articles of this. I need more swaying to take the course 😅💗

  • Beautiful presentation and outstanding though I’m not big on tarot I’m glad it led me to numerology 3 yrs ago and for the first time my life started to make sense and boy have I transformed and learned so much almost daily.I appreciate and I’m in gratitude for your website and wisdom. Our ancestors have blessed me with information and I’m writing a book that connect our spirituality to western science and maths through AbaNgoNi language.I’m blessed to be alive and grateful.MoYa!

  • my sister i am Thoth of Atlantis i will tell you that until one understands that nothing was stolen they will never gain the understanding of the very things your saying were stolen when humans say that it means they have not comprehended the law of One and have a subconsciousness level of a wild beast that would battle with its own reflection the understanding of the knowledge was long long before who you call the Greek and they where instructed to try an restore it using their perspective and it is through those efforts i have return to the Realm

  • Dear Gogo, having watched some of your excellent articles – this one tops the bill. From listening to you, its so true about everything Egyptian is actually African. From this I now speculate the origins of that awkward subject of racism – where did it originate? – my thoughts point me to the wisdom and sacred knowledge of the African/Egyptian – the West stole everything and perhaps it is out of envy that the white people resented and were jealous. With your extensive knowledge, perhaps you may help determine the answer to the most daunting question of all – did the ancient Egyptian Africans have knowledge of the motionless nature of Earth and that it is a flat plane? The western quasi scientific plethora of perpetual lies tells us we live on a planet hurtling around the cosmos at ridiculous speeds – yet not one person of the millions on earth have ever felt it spinning. In mediation we still our minds, emotions and body – yes we still them in harmony with the divine stillness of the Earth. This subject is huge and the spinning ball hypothesis is now deeply embedded in our current consciousness. Its not difficult to study, but you have to study it to get your head around it. So regardless of what your current views are – if you detect anything to suggest the ancients had knowledge of the flat motionless Earth – it would be ace to hear about it from you. The Earth is not a planet and it is much bigger than the Sun, the Moon, the planets and the stars. All the heavenly bodies are much smaller than we have been taught and they are much close to us.

  • m getting back into tarot after getting discouraged and then finding a few packs that really resonate with me and kind of developing my own skill with them. Now I’m on a journey of possibly becoming a practitioner in that journey and want to know more about the cards not just how the read but where they come from historically, Thank you for this article. I want to move ahead with reverence. …. side note your dog is adorable

  • If I may ask, where did this information about tarot being African come from? Egyptian tarot myths have been debunked. Tarot itself, has only been around since the 1600 or 1700 hundreds. Before that, it was playing cards that were commissioned by wealthy families in Italy. The Book of Thoth has never been found or even proven to have existed.

  • Awesome presentation!!…but I beg to differ,in KEMET we had a and still have a system of divination using glyph and symbols and this system of divination which was in kemet is brilliantly outlined in the book ”MEDU NETER” by Ra Un Nefer in volume 1 of the series.But TAROT actually evolves from HEBREW CULTURE and their mysticism..Hence the word Tarot coincides with the word TORAH!!…..

  • I don’t understand this article. I think you do need to explain more. You don’t really break down how or why the tarot is originally from kemet. You display a great knowledge but the relevance is reaching. Saying water means life, for example… well water meant life or the beginning for many cultures. You also don’t bring up the marseille deck. Which was the deck before the sola Busca deck, the deck the rider Waite deck is basked of of. A white man made the Thoth deck after claiming he got it from ancient hidden knowledge. Saying it’s better than a different deck of another white man who tries to connect tarot to Kabbalah. I do believe the tarots hidden meaning can possibly be older than the 1300s, but this article really is not a good argument, and I think people are distracted by your undeniable beauty and obvious intelligence to see that you need take more time explaining how Egypt is connected to tarot

  • So, I hate to ruin the party but Tarot and the cards you play poker with have the same origin. An eastern playing card game. The idea that tarot came from Egypt and was just a fanciful idea a Frenchman introduced to try and add some mystical legitimacy and has no truth to it. The Thoth tarot deck was created in the 1900s and any Egyptian themes were merely inserted intentionally by Crowley and not the remergence of the original deck. It was just his attempt to incorporate his religion which was Psudo Egyptian into tarot. Like how everyone today can just make their own decks with whatevere themes they want. Thats all that deck is. Crowley literally just created a Thoth themed deck. The original deck was a mere playing card game.

  • Beautiful article but please.. Let’s not make this about race. I understand that you are pinpointing the origins of tarot which goes back to Egypt.. but let’s not make everything about ‘blackness’ or ‘whiteness’ of our beings. We are all spirits having a human experience.. And it is up to each of us individuals to understand that being human is a lot bigger than what colour of skin we are. ❤

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