Tarot Readings - History

The present historical knowledge of where tarot cards originated is from Northern Italy around the 15th century (1420 – 1440). The earliest cards were richly, hand painted decks inspired by the courts of nobility.

Tarot readings were not the basis of tarot cards in the beginning, instead they were used a simple playing cards, referred to as “carte da trionfi” (which means cards of the triumphs), but they were also thought to have symbolic meaning. Then approximately 100 years after the original use, the cards became known as tarocchi, which distinguished them from a new game of cards. All the early names related to tarot are in fact Italian.

A popular misconception of tarot cards was that they were brought to Europe by the gypsies for tarot readings, and they spread their use. However, gypsies told fortunes through palmistry and ordinary playing cards, until the 20th century when they began using actual tarot cards for tarot readings. The whole idea of gypsies bringing tarot cards was accepted simply because writers, such as Papus, told them so without and accurate sources.

Tarot cards have always been thought of as a way to do tarot readings, as a form of magic. In truth, documented evidence relating to the early uses of tarot cards were used simply for a card game similar to bridge. A card game that was popular, even today, throughout Europe, especially in France. Though they may have been used by some for other reasons, such as tarot readings, there is no historical evidence that suggests it until the 18th century.