The History of Tarot Cards Explained

the time that the cards he created were merely to act as a tool to teach his students self awareness, spiritual enlightenment and self improvement.

Further historical evidence reveals that in the late 1800s, A.E. Waite envisioned that the cards Eliphas Levi created could possibly be used to foretell future events. In 1896, Waite created the Rider-Waite tarot deck that went on to become the most popular and widely used version that is still in existence. It was not until the early 1900s when tarot cards made their presence felt in western culture. During World War I, the tarot was extremely popular. Despite the conflicting theories, beliefs and evidence on the history of tarot cards, tarot cards closely resemble the modern deck of playing cards. However, one fact that is widely accepted by scholars is that the earliest playing cards had their origins in Korea and China as early as the eleventh century. This reinforces the legend, believed by some researchers, that the tarot had its origins in the East.

It was natural that tarot cards would have different variations in the pictorial representation on each card as the tarot spread to different countries and took root in their respective cultures. However, its central objectives and principles have remained the same since ancient times. The history of tarot cards is as challenging to scholars, historians and researchers as it is exciting and intriguing to millions of people around the world today. Whatever may be the truth, insofar as its historical origins, the fact remains that the tarot is here to stay.

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