The Origins of Tarot: From the Middle Ages to Today

# The Mysterious Origins of Tarot

Tarot is far more than a simple card game. Its roots run deep into medieval history, where it emerged as noble entertainment before becoming a tool of divination. Originating in Italy in the 15th century, tarot was used for aristocratic parlor games, particularly in Milan and Ferrara.

The first true connections between tarot and divination would not appear until several centuries later. It was from the 18th century onward that French occultists, notably Antoine Court de Gébelin, began attributing esoteric meanings to the arcana. Gébelin put forward a bold theory: that tarot derived from ancient Egyptian wisdom — though modern historians have since refuted this claim.

In the 19th century, major figures such as Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith revolutionized tarot by creating the Rider-Waite Tarot in 1909, the most popular and widely reproduced deck in the world. This wise man clad in mystical robes and this inspired woman breathed life into an iconography that would influence generations of tarot readers.

Today, tarot represents a unique fusion of history, Jungian psychology, and spiritual wisdom. Each card tells a universal story, accessible to those who seek guidance and introspection.