Brief 2 - Research: A History of Cards

There are different arguments to where cards originated. Some argue the were invented in Persia where they spread to China, India and Egypt. It is thought that European cards came from cards in Egypt in the 14th century. Trade was the main way playing cards arrived in Europe. The playing cards have very similar features. Like todays cards they had 4 symbols on them; swords, polo sticks, cups/goblets and coins. These four signs almost represent the four ways of life and past interests in aristocracy. These four signs are still used in Spain and Italy.

Travelling Armies were one of the main ways the cards moved from France to England mainly because they were a lot easier to carry than a chess board. They could be easily made and weren't heavy to carry.

The early days of colonisation meant the design of the packs were changed. As they reached different countries then they changed. They were keen to show their country off through the cards. This explains why in England the Jack Queen and King have been used to show the patriarchy and royals. In Italy and Spain the designs were kept like the originals and added to, focusing on swords and goblets. Where as in Germany they were more keen to show off their country side using Acorns and Leaves.

In France they began to redesign cards by only using two colours. This allowed them to make cards which were easier to read and meant they could be printed on better quality. This worked phenomenally well and since the 15th century not much has changed.

Originally Queens were not used in the pack of cards - this reflects how it was a male dominated courts and  society. In the past it used to be two marshals and the king. Italian, Spanish and German cards still have variations of this design where they don't use a queen.

Playing cards were originally only used by the upper classes as they were hand painted and expensive but when cheaper printing methods came in cards became more widely accessible. This also meant that gambling became a more common occurrence. The church didn't agree with the cards and in some cases banned them. It was seen as an evil influence as it encouraged dishonesty and drinking. The lower classes would loose their money over cards.

In the 12th century in England, playing cards were supposedly banned apart from the 12 days of christmas. The tax was placed on packs of cards was introduced in the 16th century so that they could make money off of peoples addiction, at this time an average pack of cards cost around £25 in todays money.

Playing cards used to be the cheapest type of paper people could use. When mothers  gave birth to a baby that they could not afford or look after them they used to leave their child outside an orphanage with a playing card. The playing card would have information about the child and act like an ID. It would provide their name and a loving note from the mother to be given to the child. Interestingly if the card was ripped in half then that meant one day the mother would come back for the child. If the two halves matched then the woman would have her child back.

An Example of Tarot Cards

There are different theories to why the pack is the way it is. One is that the 4 colours/suits represent the 4 seasons, the 52 cards represent the 52 weeks in a year and the 13 cards in each suit represent the lunar months.

The Tarot pack of cards is thought to have been brought to Europe from the Gypsies.

The gypsies derives from the word Egypt and were seen as the wondering tribe of Egypt. It came to Europe after normal playing cards and each card could see Egyptian detailing and art work. These cards were seen as triumphs and there was 21 of them. They were added to a pack of 56 cards. This allowed for more complicated games and that was their original purpose.  The man hanging upside down by his foot was a symbol of a traitor to the state and the death card both seem to have deep meaning for just a fun game. This does suggest that there is more behind the purpose of these cards.

In the 18th century tarot cards were given a different meaning. Etteilla thought of himself as the first and most influential fortune teller. His 21 cards had multiple meanings depending on where they were placed and in what order they were placed. For example the devil card could mean extraordinary power or strength but upside down it showed weakness. His tarot deck is still in use today.  The Crowley was a later design which took over 5 years to paint and design. They have a chilling design to them.