The History of the Tarot

The true origins of the Tarot cards — their design, their place of origin, and their original purpose — have all been lost to time. Despite the attempts of many to illuminate their true origins in books, articles, and other mediums, they remain shrouded in mystery.

The Invention of the Tarot

Throughout the twentieth century, scholars have attributed the Tarot to many different sources. Some claim that the esoteric symbols of the Major Arcana, as well as the Minor Arcana, of the Tarot can be traced to the ancient Egyptians. Others are convinced that they came from the cults of Mithras, in the very first centuries after the appearance of Christ. There are even some who are convinced they originated in China.

Still others are absolutely sure that they must come from the Middle Ages, the time when the tales of King Arthur and the Holy Grail abounded. The more somber scholars attribute them to the Renaissance. There is no clear agreement on the subject.

If one were to accept only factual evidence, then it might be assumed that Tarot cards originated in Italy during the second half of the fifteenth century. This assumption would be based upon the oldest surviving deck of Tarot cards. However, this doesn’t really reveal the true origins of the Tarot. It reveals when the last surviving deck was produced. It's unknown how many decks were produced prior to this.

It is unlikely that the origins of the Tarot will ever be accurately discovered. It is enough to say that they have existed for several hundred years, and that they have been influenced by many different sources in that time.

Differing Views on Tarot's Original Purpose

Throughout history, the Tarot has been viewed as many things. It was a card game to some. To others, Tarot cards served as method of divining the future; some even believed the cards were evil.

Tarot cards first began moving into southern Europe during the fourteenth century. The cards came with travelers who might have come through Egypt, possibly with the gypsies. From there, they spread throughout the rest of Europe, meeting with a variety of attitudes as they travelled.

The general public, even in the Middle Ages, regarded the Tarot as they regarded anything else — some accepted them, some ignored them, and some feared them. There were those who used them as playing cards, and those who used them for a more esoteric purpose. The Church, however, was very clear in its stance on Tarot cards.

In the Middle Ages, much like today, the Tarot cards were filled with Pagan symbols and images. The Church considered these images to be the work of the Devil. They worked very hard to suppress anything that was linked to the mystical, including Tarot cards.

By the time of the Renaissance, the Tarot had mostly been regulated to the mystery world of the hidden occultists. They were no longer considered relevant or acceptable in society, and so were held in secret by those who still chose to use them. As a result, the cards were progressively doctored and changed to reflect the spiritual beliefs and practices of the group who had them. Since these groups had little or no contact with each other, they Tarot decks they were using became very different.

As a result, the Tarot cards we see today are an interesting mix of Kabbalistic thought, Arthurian legends, and both Pagan and Rosicrucian symbols. Though they may be hybrids, today’s Tarot cards combine beautiful artwork with powerful symbolism. They are respected for this reason.

Tarot cards and their spreads are a popular tool for many people; the psychology of the Tarot touches people from various spiritual backgrounds and walks of life. Though their origins are difficult to ascertain, their place in today’s world is easy to determine. The timeline of the Tarot, however, is still hotly debated.