Tarot

Tarot is a card game. This much is certain. The word "tarot" comes from the French. Therefore, scientists assume that the word arises from the fact, that many playing cards had a silver frame with a helical ribbon of fine dots. These points were called "tares". However, far more mysterious is the question of where the meanings of the card game come from. We take a closer look at the history of tarot.

Who tells oneself or others the fortune via tarot cards, leaves the sensual world and immerses in a fantastic environment. A tarot kit normally consists of 78 sheets. These sheets reflect feelings and events that are important to many people. One can divide the images into two areas: The sheets of the "Major Arcana" and the "Minor Arcana". The major Arcana relates to fate and character, the sheets of the minor Arcana symbolize the circumstances and behaviour. In minor Arcana there are court cards, which embody the person. The figures refer to secular events and the aces represent spheres of influence.

Many tarot researchers assume that 1392 was considered as the year of origin for tarot. Two things indicate this: There are 17 illuminated playing cards in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris that have emerged between the 14th and 15th centuries. Here clearly tarot trumps car identifiable. In addition, in the account book of the treasurer of Charles VI. a payment to a painter named Jacquemin Gringonneur for "three gilded and ornate card games" is listed. The entry is from the year 1392. Gringonneur was considered as the inventor of tarot by many. But the fact is that it is merely proved that the painter portrayed playing cards for Charles VI. It could actually be the case that quite many painters had portrayed tarot cards before him.

According to a legend of the French mystic Papus tarot emerged in ancient Egypt. Since the old Egyptian Empire once stood before its destruction, the wise of the country discussed, how the age-old knowledge could be conserved from destruction. They agreed supposedly to draw the knowledge and wisdom in pictures on playing cards, which should then be handed over to the crowd. However, there is no evidence for the assumption that tarot is based on Egyptian or Hebrew kabbalistic wisdom teachings.

General playing cards are known in Europe since the 14th century. It is believed that initially there was a set of 52 playing cards that arrived from the Islamic world in Europe in the 14th century, which consists of four colours and which corresponds to the minor arcana.

Whatever history of tarot now might be right: Tarot as a game became an international success product during the 18th century. And even today the mythical cartomancy still serves the fortune-telling of the future. This will probably still remain like it is for a long time in our digital world.