Prologue: Mysterious Origins

Anyone who has held a Tarot card has likely been captivated by its mystical aura. Where did these beautifully illustrated cards come from? Were they born in ancient Egyptian temples, or created by medieval European alchemists?

In truth, the origins of Tarot remain shrouded in mystery and debate. Scholars have researched them for centuries, but their true genesis remains veiled in fog. Perhaps, that is part of Tarot’s allure.

Chapter 1: Ancient Wisdom? Various Theories of Origin

Ancient Egyptian Origin Theory: The Wisdom of Thoth

In 18th-century France, a scholar put forth a shocking theory. Antoine Court de Gébelin (1719-1784) claimed that Tarot cards were fragments of the lost Egyptian book of wisdom, “The Book of Thoth.”

According to him, ancient Egyptian priests preserved sacred knowledge by expressing it in illustrations and storing it in the form of cards to pass on to future generations. Indeed, the symbolic imagery of Tarot cards possesses a mystique reminiscent of ancient Egyptian murals.

Gébelin’s Evidence:

  • Similarity to Hieroglyphs: Tarot symbols resemble ancient Egyptian sacred writings.
  • Numerological Correspondence: The 22 Major Arcana cards represent sacred numbers.
  • Mythological Figures: Death, the Magician, and the High Priestess evoke ancient deities.

However, modern archaeological evidence does not support this theory. Nevertheless, the romantic image this theory created has deeply rooted itself in modern Tarot culture.

Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism) Origin Theory: Correspondence with the Tree of Life

In the 19th century, another intriguing theory emerged: that Tarot cards have a deep connection with the ancient Hebrew mysticism of Kabbalah.

Striking Correspondences:

  • 22 Major Arcana = 22 Hebrew Letters
  • 10 Number Cards = 10 Sephiroth (components of the Tree of Life)
  • 4 Suits = 4 Worlds (Kabbalistic cosmology)

These correspondences were too perfect to be mere coincidence, captivating many mystics. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society in the 19th century, systematized this relationship, laying the foundation for modern Tarot.

Indian and Chinese Origin Theories: Transmission from the East

Some researchers seek the roots of Tarot in the East. Theories suggest it developed from ancient Indian games like “Ganjifa” or Chinese paper cards (shih-pai).

Indeed, considering that the concept of cards itself was made possible by the invention of paper and printing technology in China, Eastern influence cannot be ignored. Furthermore, Indian cosmology and the concept of reincarnation may have influenced the cyclical structure of Tarot.

Chapter 2: Italian Renaissance - Court Card Games

15th Century Northern Italy: The Birth of Tarocchi

Currently, the most academically supported theory is that Tarot originated in northern Italy in the 15th century. The story that begins here is not rooted in ancient mystery, but in the vibrant court culture of the Renaissance.

The Duchy of Milan in the 1440s. In the courts of the powerful and wealthy Visconti and Sforza families, a new kind of luxurious card game was born: “Tarocchi.”

Visconti-Sforza Tarot: Cards as Works of Art

The oldest surviving Tarot cards are true works of art. Hand-painted with gold leaf and miniature techniques, these cards were created by the finest artists of the time.

These cards, believed to have been painted by an artist named Bonifacio Bembo, depict people from the court of the time as models:

  • The Emperor: Duke Filippo Maria Visconti
  • The Empress: Bianca Maria Visconti
  • The Hierophant: Modeled after a real Pope

These cards were not merely game tools, but also status symbols demonstrating the power and prestige of the court.

From Game to Divination: A Shift in Meaning

Early Tarocchi were enjoyed purely as games. Even today in Italy, Tarocchi remains a popular traditional card game.

However, over time, these beautiful and symbolic illustrations began to ignite people’s imaginations. In particular, the mythological figures of the Major Arcana came to be used as divination tools.

Chapter 3: French Enlightenment - Revival of Mysticism

18th Century: The Paradox of the Age of Reason

The 18th century in France was known as the “Age of Enlightenment,” a period that emphasized reason and scientific thought. Ironically, however, it was during this age of reason that Tarot established its position as a mystical divination tool.

Antoine Court de Gébelin: Longing for Ancient Civilizations

In 1781, the French scholar Antoine Court de Gébelin published his monumental work, Le Monde Primitif. In it, he claimed that Tarot cards were fragments of an ancient Egyptian book of wisdom.

At the time, Europe was in the midst of an Egyptology boom, fueled by Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt (1798-1801) and the discovery of the Rosetta Stone. Ancient Egypt was an object of longing as a lost advanced civilization.

Gébelin’s theory lacked academic basis, but it perfectly aligned with the spirit of the times and captivated many people.

Etteilla: The First Professional Tarot Reader

One man was inspired by Gébelin’s theory: Jean-Baptiste Alliette, known as “Etteilla” (a pseudonym formed by spelling his name backward).

In 1785, Etteilla created the first Tarot deck specifically for divination and systematized Tarot reading methods. He introduced the following innovations:

  • Publication of dedicated interpretation books.
  • Distinction between upright and reversed positions.
  • Detailed interpretation based on card combinations.
  • Provision of Tarot reading services for clients.

Etteilla transformed Tarot from entertainment into a serious divinatory art, truly earning the title of “Father of Tarot Reading.”

The French Revolution and Tarot: Divination in a Turbulent Era

During the French Revolution, which began in 1789, people turned to divination out of anxiety about the future. Tarot cards became a source of comfort for those living in uncertain times.

Interestingly, during the revolutionary period, the design of Tarot cards also changed:

  • Kings and Queens were replaced with Liberty and Equality.
  • The Pope was renamed The High Priest.
  • New symbols reflecting republican ideals were introduced.

Chapter 4: 19th Century - The Golden Age of Mysticism

Occult Revival: Scientific Progress and Return to the Mysterious

The 19th century was an era of remarkable scientific advancement. Inventions that transformed human life, such as electricity, steam engines, photography, and telegraphy, appeared one after another.

However, as a reaction to the rise of scientific materialism, interest in mysticism and supernatural phenomena also grew. Spiritualism became popular, and séances and table-turning became topics of conversation in high society.

Against this backdrop, Tarot was re-evaluated not merely as a divination tool, but as a profound spiritual system.

Eliphas Lévi: Father of Modern Magic

French mystic Eliphas Lévi (1810-1875) was a pioneer in connecting Tarot with Western magic. His work, Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie (1856), became a foundational text for modern occultism.

Lévi’s Innovative Ideas:

  • Systematic integration of Tarot and Kabbalah.
  • Correspondence between the 22 Major Arcana and 22 Hebrew letters.
  • Utilization of Tarot in magical practice.
  • Techniques of symbolic meditation.

Lévi stated: “He who truly understands the Tarot can speak of all the religions and philosophies of antiquity by himself.”

Papus: Systematization of Tarot Studies

Dr. Gérard Encausse, known as Papus (1865-1916), developed Lévi’s ideas and systematized Tarot studies. A physician, he applied scientific methods to occult research and left many works.

Papus’s Contributions:

  • Publication of The Tarot of the Bohemians (1889).
  • Mathematical and geometrical interpretation of Tarot.
  • Detailed explanations of practical divination methods.
  • Establishment of an international occult network.

The Golden Dawn: Creators of Modern Tarot

In 1888, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society, was founded in London. This organization would become one of the most influential in the history of Western occultism.

Founders:

  • William Wynn Westcott: Coroner and Freemason.
  • Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers: Mystic researcher.
  • William Robert Woodman: Physician and Rosicrucian.

The Golden Dawn built a comprehensive mystical system integrating Tarot, Kabbalah, astrology, and alchemy. Their Tarot interpretation system is still widely used today.

Innovative Approaches:

  • Color Magic: Systematization of colors corresponding to each card.
  • Integration with Astrology: Correspondence of planets and zodiac signs to Tarot.
  • Pathworking: Meditation techniques using cards.
  • Magical Practice: Development of rituals using Tarot.

A.E. Waite: Father of Modern Tarot

Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942) was an American-born British mystic and the founder of the most widely used Tarot deck today.

A member of the Golden Dawn, Waite was dissatisfied with traditional Tarot. In particular, he was unhappy that the Minor Arcana were merely monotonous combinations of numbers and suits.

In 1909, a revolutionary idea: To depict meaningful illustrations on all cards!

This was a groundbreaking idea at the time. In traditional Tarot, the Minor Arcana, like modern playing cards, only showed numbers and suit symbols.

Pamela Colman Smith: The Forgotten Genius Artist

It was Pamela Colman Smith (1878-1951), a Jamaican-born British-American female artist, who brought Waite’s idea to fruition. She was a versatile artist.

Smith’s Talents:

  • Illustrator: Illustrations for magazines and books.
  • Stage Designer: Active in London theaters.
  • Painter: Unique mystical style.
  • Folklorist: Researched Jamaican folklore.

Smith designed all 78 cards in just six months. Her created imagery, while retaining the traditional symbols of Tarot, added new interpretations and poetic beauty.

In particular, the expressions and gestures of the figures in the Minor Arcana have a power that speaks directly to the viewer’s heart. For example:

  • Three of Swords: Three swords piercing the heart, and a person grieving in the rain.
  • Nine of Cups: A satisfied man whose wishes have come true.
  • Seven of Pentacles: A farmer contemplating the fruits of his labor.

The Birth and Spread of the Rider-Waite Tarot

Released in 1910 by Rider & Co. (publisher), the “Rider-Waite Tarot” quickly became a global sensation. The deck’s innovations included:

Technical Innovations:

  • Color Printing: Mass production for wider public access.
  • Unified Art Style: All 78 cards harmonized.
  • Symbolic Clarity: Imagery easy for beginners to understand.

Interpretive Innovations:

  • Psychological Approach: Focus on the emotions of the card figures.
  • Narrative: Each card having an independent story.
  • Intuitive Understanding: Readable without complex knowledge.

With the success of this deck, Tarot transformed from being solely for mystics to a divination tool for the general public.

Chapter 5: Early 20th Century - Encounter with Psychology

Carl Jung: Collective Unconscious and Tarot

Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), one of the greatest psychologists of the 20th century, showed deep interest in Tarot cards. A disciple of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, Jung proposed the concept of the “collective unconscious,” common to the deep layers of the human mind.

Jung’s View of Tarot:

  • Expression of Archetypes: Tarot figures are universal archetypes of the human mind.
  • Symbol of Individuation Process: The Major Arcana represent stages of self-realization.
  • Synchronicity: The selection of cards is a meaningful, not accidental, event.

Jung sometimes used Tarot cards for psychological analysis of his patients. For him, Tarot was a tool to access the deep psyche that could not be expressed in words.

Jung’s Famous Quote: “Tarot cards are pictorial representations of psychological archetypes.”

New Age Diviners

In the early 20th century, Tarot reading entered a new phase. Psychological understanding was added to the traditional mystical approach.

Eden Gray (1900-1999) is a prominent Tarot researcher of this era. Her book, A Complete Guide to the Tarot (1960), is a masterpiece that skillfully combines psychological interpretation with spiritual insight, and is still read today.

World War II and Tarot

During the turbulent era of World War II (1939-1945), people again sought solace in divination. It is said that in air-raid shelters in wartime London, people were seen consulting Tarot cards about the future.

Interestingly, Nazi Germany showed strong interest in the occult and established the “Ahnenerbe,” a research institute for supernatural phenomena. On the other hand, the Allied forces also sometimes used divination as part of psychological warfare.

Chapter 6: Diversification of Modern Tarot (1960s - Present)

1960s: Counterculture and Spiritual Boom

In the 1960s in America, a counterculture emerged that questioned existing values. Young people seeking fundamental social change, such as opposition to the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, and the women’s liberation movement, showed strong interest in Eastern thought and spirituality.

Hippie Culture and Tarot:

  • Emphasis on individual spiritual exploration.
  • Skepticism towards established religions and alternative spirituality.
  • Emphasis on intuition and sensation.
  • Strong interest in self-realization.

During this period, Tarot was re-evaluated not merely as a divination tool, but as a means of self-exploration. Young people used Tarot cards to confront their inner selves and explore the meaning of life.

Aleister Crowley and the Thoth Tarot

During this period, the “Thoth Tarot,” designed by Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), gained attention. Crowley was a notorious magician, called “the wickedest man in the world,” but also a brilliant thinker.

Crowley’s Innovations:

  • Fusion of Greek and Egyptian mythology.
  • Advanced integration of Kabbalah and astrology.
  • Introduction of modern physics (quantum mechanics) concepts.
  • Concepts of sex magic and Tantra.

Crowley, along with artist Lady Frieda Harris (1877-1962), spent five years creating the Thoth Tarot. This beautiful and complex deck, published in 1969, is still highly regarded today as a Tarot for advanced practitioners.

Women’s Liberation Movement and Feminist Tarot

The women’s liberation movement of the 1970s had a significant impact on the world of Tarot. Women who questioned the male-centric perspective of traditional Tarot began to create new Tarot decks.

Representative Feminist Tarot Decks:

  • Motherpeace Tarot (1981): Reconstructed from a female perspective.
  • Gaia Oracle: Reflecting the philosophy of the Earth Mother.
  • Goddess Tarot: Featuring goddesses from around the world.

These decks replaced traditional patriarchal symbols with feminine energy, presenting a more inclusive and egalitarian worldview.

New Age Movement and Popularization of Tarot

From the 1980s to the 1990s, a spiritual movement called “New Age” spread worldwide. This movement advocated a new spirituality that integrated Eastern thought, Western mysticism, indigenous wisdom, and modern psychology.

Tarot in New Age Culture:

  • Holistic approach.
  • Emphasis on self-responsibility and self-growth.
  • Meditation and spiritual healing.
  • Concepts of past lives and karma.

During this period, the variety of Tarot decks exploded. Tarot decks on all themes, such as angels, animals, plants, jewels, and chakras, were created to meet diverse human needs.

Digital Revolution and Online Tarot

The spread of the internet in the late 1990s brought a revolution to the world of Tarot.

Changes in the Digital Age:

  • Appearance of online Tarot readings.
  • Development of software Tarot.
  • Formation of global communities.
  • Popularization of free Tarot sites.

In the 2000s, Tarot appeared as smartphone apps, making divination possible anytime, anywhere.

AI and Tarot: In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has also been applied to Tarot reading. Machine learning is making more precise and personalized readings possible.

Chapter 7: Tarot Culture Around the World

America: Center of Commercialization and Diversification

America is the center of modern Tarot culture. Hundreds of types of Tarot decks are published, making it a huge industry with a market size of hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Characteristics of American Tarot:

  • Commercial Success: Aspect as entertainment.
  • Cultural Diversity: African-American, Hispanic, Native American Tarot.
  • Integration with Psychotherapy: Utilization in counseling.
  • Academic Research: Research in religious studies and psychology at universities.

Europe: Inheritance and Innovation of Tradition

In Europe, traditional Tarot culture is still alive today.

Italy:

  • Tarocchi games are still popular.
  • The World Tarocchi Championship is held annually.
  • Tarot reading is popular in tourist destinations.

France:

  • Home of the Marseille Tarot.
  • Philosophical and artistic approach.
  • Tarot exhibitions at the National Library.

United Kingdom:

  • Home of the Rider-Waite Tarot.
  • Center of academic research.
  • Royal-warranted fortune-teller culture.

Japan: Unique Development and Cultural Adaptation

In Japan, Tarot has undergone unique development since its introduction in the Meiji era.

Introduction Period (Meiji - Pre-war)

Introduction of Western Culture:

  • After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Western culture rapidly flowed in.
  • Introduced by Christian missionaries and foreign advisors.
  • Initially an object of academic interest.

Early Translations:

  • The first Tarot commentary was translated and published in the 1920s.
  • Became a topic of conversation among intellectuals and cultural figures.

Post-war Reconstruction Period (1945-1960s)

Revival of Divination Culture:

  • Divination boomed during the chaotic post-war period.
  • Tarot was introduced alongside I Ching and palmistry.
  • Featured articles in women’s magazines.

Modern Japanese Tarot Culture (1970s - Present)

Integration with Media Culture:

  • Manga/Anime: Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, etc.
  • Games: Tarot motifs in RPGs.
  • Fashion: Fusion with Gothic Lolita culture.

Unique Japanese Development:

  • Japanese-style Tarot: Decks based on Japanese mythology and history.
  • Moe-style Tarot: Anime character-style designs.
  • Goshuincho (seal book) boom linkage.

Modern Characteristics:

  • Utilization in psychological counseling.
  • Team building tools in corporate training.
  • Creativity development tools in educational settings.

China and Korea: Rapid Popularization

In recent years, Tarot culture has rapidly spread in China and Korea.

China:

  • Divination services on online platforms.
  • SNS divination boom among young people.
  • Fusion with traditional I Ching.

Korea:

  • K-Pop idol Tarot readings.
  • Features in beauty and fashion magazines.
  • Application to psychotherapy.

Chapter 8: Modern Tarot - Fusion with Technology

Evolution of Digital Tarot

21st-century Tarot is finding new possibilities through its fusion with technology.

VR (Virtual Reality) Tarot:

  • Immersive experience in 3D space.
  • “Entering” the symbolic world of cards.
  • Deeper meditative experience.

AR (Augmented Reality) Tarot:

  • Overlaying digital information on physical cards.
  • Moving cards and interactive interpretations.
  • Improved learning effectiveness.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) Tarot:

  • Improved interpretation accuracy through machine learning.
  • Customization based on individual history.
  • Detailed explanations through natural language processing.

Blockchain and NFT Tarot

As the latest technology, blockchain technology and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are also entering the world of Tarot.

Digital Collectible Tarot:

  • Unique digital art pieces.
  • World limited edition NFT Tarot decks.
  • New relationships between artists and collectors.

Scientific Research and Tarot

Today, scientific research is also being conducted on the effects of Tarot.

Psychological Research:

  • Elucidation of the Barnum Effect (psychological mechanism of divination).
  • Measurement of Tarot’s effect on creativity development.
  • Empirical research on stress reduction effects.

Neuroscientific Research:

  • Measurement of brain activity during Tarot readings.
  • Elucidation of the interaction between intuition and logical thinking.
  • Neuroscientific analysis of meditative states.

Chapter 9: Cultural Impact of Tarot

Influence on Literature

Tarot has inspired many literary works.

T.S. Eliot’s poem The Waste Land (1922):

  • Features the Tarot reader Madame Sosostris at the beginning.
  • Symbolically expresses the desolation of modern civilization.

Italo Calvino’s novel The Castle of Crossed Destinies:

  • Experiment in story generation using Tarot cards.
  • A pioneering work of postmodern literature.

Angela Carter’s Nights at the Circus:

  • A masterpiece of feminist fantasy.
  • Modern reinterpretation of Tarot symbols.

Influence on Film and Television

Tarot is also used as an important motif in cinema.

Live and Let Die (1973):

  • Jane Seymour as Solitaire.
  • Tarot reading plays a crucial role.

Final Destination series:

  • Prophecy of fate by the Death card.
  • A typical use of Tarot in horror films.

Japanese Anime and Films:

  • Sailor Moon
  • Cardcaptor Sakura
  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3

Modern Art and Tarot

Contemporary artists have also created many works based on Tarot.

Salvador Dalí:

  • Created a surrealist Tarot deck.
  • Expressed the world of dreams and the unconscious.

David Bowie:

  • Fused music and Tarot.
  • Album The Man Who Sold the World.

Utilization in the Fashion Industry

Luxury fashion brands also adopt Tarot as a design motif.

Dior:

  • Tarot collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri.
  • Tarot show on the runway.

Gucci:

  • Alessandro Michele’s mystical designs.
  • Tarot-motif accessories.

Chapter 10: The Future of Tarot

Globalizing Divination Culture

Modern Tarot has become a global culture transcending national borders. The internet and social media connect diviners and clients worldwide, fostering active cultural exchange.

International Tarot Events:

  • World Tarot Congress (annual).
  • International Tarot Festival.
  • Online Tarot Conventions.

Potential of Next-Generation Tarot

Holographic Tarot:

  • Immersive experience with 3D holograms.
  • Interactive images floating in the air.
  • Deeper meditative experience.

Telepathic Tarot:

  • Direct card selection via brain-computer interface.
  • Tarot readings solely through thought.

Quantum Computer Tarot:

  • Ultimate randomness using quantum entanglement.
  • Divination exploring the possibilities of multidimensional parallel universes.

New Fusion with Science

Quantum Physics and Synchronicity:

  • Similarities with quantum entanglement phenomena.
  • Relationship between observer effect and Tarot.

Complexity Science and Tarot:

  • Research on unpredictability through chaos theory.
  • Relationship between the butterfly effect and divination.

Changing Social Role

Modern Tarot is shifting its role from traditional “fate prediction” to a “self-understanding support tool.”

Therapeutic Tarot:

  • Active utilization in psychotherapy.
  • Symbolic approach in trauma treatment.

Educational Tarot:

  • Utilization in creativity education.
  • A tool for philosophy and ethics education.

Corporate Tarot:

  • Decision-making support in companies.
  • Team building and communication improvement.

Epilogue: The Mystery of Enduring Appeal

Why has Tarot continued to fascinate people for over 500 years?

Universal Human Nature

The figures and situations depicted in Tarot cards express universal human themes that transcend time and culture:

  • Love and Separation (The Lovers, Death)
  • Success and Failure (The Chariot, The Tower)
  • Hope and Despair (The Star, The Devil)
  • Beginning and End (The Fool, The World)

Creative Ambiguity

Tarot symbols maintain an exquisite balance of being neither too clear nor too ambiguous. This “creative ambiguity” allows each viewer to create their own interpretations and stories.

Aesthetic Appeal

Tarot cards are also excellent works of art in their own right. The countless decks created over 500 years are wonderful evidence of human artistic creativity.

Proposal for the Modern Age

In an era where technology is rapidly advancing and AI is replacing human intellectual labor, intuitive and symbolic thinking, like that found in Tarot, may become even more important.

For complex life problems that cannot be solved by logical analysis alone, Tarot offers different perspectives and insights. It is an ancient yet new way to access the wisdom hidden deep within the human heart.

Bridge to the Future

Tarot is a bridge from the past to the future. It has the power to integrate ancient wisdom and modern psychology, Eastern intuition and Western analysis, art and science.

In the complex and uncertain world of the 21st century, Tarot teaches us the following:

  • Respect for Diversity: Accepting multiple possibilities, not just one answer.
  • Inner Exploration: Listening to the inner voice, not just external information.
  • Symbolic Thinking: The value of metaphor and poetic expression, not just logic.
  • Cyclical Nature of Time: Understanding spiral growth, not just linear progress.

Finally: Your Own Tarot Story

By reading this long history of Tarot, you have now become a part of this story. When you pick up a Tarot card, you become a successor to over 500 years of history.

15th-century Italian nobles, 18th-century French mystics, 19th-century British magicians, 20th-century American psychologists, and Tarot readers around the world today. All have faced similar questions and felt similar wonder before the same cards.

Your Tarot journey has just begun. What insights and growth will this ancient yet new system of wisdom bring you?

History continues. And it is your turn to write the next chapter.

Historical Research

  • A History of the Tarot - Ronald Decker, Thierry Depaulis, Michael Dummett
  • The Origins of the Tarot - Helen Farley
  • Medieval Card Games - Thierry Depaulis

Biographical Research

  • A.E. Waite: A Biography - R.A. Gilbert
  • Pamela Colman Smith: The Forgotten Artist - Stuart Kaplan
  • Aleister Crowley and the Thoth Tarot - Lon DuQuette

Cultural Studies

  • Astrology and the Modern Psyche - Nicholas Campion
  • Western Esotericism and the Science of Religion - Wouter J. Hanegraaff
  • Jung and Tarot: An Archetypal Journey - Sallie Nichols

Art History and Design History

  • The Encyclopedia of Tarot - Stuart R. Kaplan
  • Meaning in the Visual Arts - Erwin Panofsky
  • Occultism in Art - Sixten Ringbom