#atla tarot deck

[threalcrabbysamantha]

ATLA tarot: Judgement

I’ve been redrawing my ATLA tarot deck, and I’m really proud of the Judgement card, which is about spiritual awakening, transformation and absolution - so of course I’ve symbolized that as the Avatar State!

[morethingsgraphicnovel]

IX. The Hermit

This card is about soul-searching, self-reflection, and meditation. Drawing this card indicates a need to block out everyone else's voice for your own, to reconnect with your inner self. So of course, Guru Pathik is featured on this card, since he attempted to help Aang do exactly that. When this card appears, make sure you take a breath and find some time to be alone to reconnect with your inner voice.

--

I'm drawing an Avatar themed tarot deck (Major Arcana only)! Every day I'll reveal a new design. :) Follow along and let me know which one is your favorite!

[comparativetarot]

I’ve already posted some of the art from this deck under the artist’s tag, Brighton Ballard (scroll down past the Royal Tenenbaums and Spirited Away stuff). She’s taken this previously only two-color art and made it full color, and now the deck is currently on Kickstarter. About halfway funded, with 19 days left. Go check it out and help this deck get funded!

[kenobihater]

A:TLA TAROT DECKS

I recently rewatched A:TLA and really wanted a tarot deck inspired by it. I found one that I loved that was out of print (the ATLA tarot by Yappangiearts) and bought it for out of print prices, and I'm absolutely in LOVE with it! That said, it is out of print and going for a lot of money right now, so I wanted to make a post about all of the other ones out there so people know their options! I'm not affiliated with any of these decks or creators, I just love tarot and A:TLA lol.

Firstly, we have The ATLA Tarot Card Set by ArtByyEmber over on etsy. It's a Major Arcana only deck, meaning it only has the 22 cards of the Major Arcana in it. It retails for $48.99 USD.

Another option is the Avatar Arcana Tarot Deck from AriannaRoseArt, a full 78 card deck retailing for $62 USD (or $30 USD for the majors only) on their bigcartel shop.

Then we have The Jasmine Dragon Tarot by Camiquinta, which is a full 78 card deck for sale on both etsy at $70 USD and their bigcartel shop for $56 USD.

Next is the White Lotus Elemental Tarot Deck by Raquel aka ArtyAvian. This was a kickstarter and so stock is limited. The deck is a 78 card deck plus 5 bonus cards, and though the version with the guidebook is sold out on their bigcartel shop, the normal 83 card deck and box set is still available for $60, with a free guidebook PDF also available from their shop.

Finally, there's one A:TLA kickstarter currently in funding, The Master of the Elements Tarot Deck. It also features LOK characters and adheres very closely to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck in subject matter as far as I can tell. The lowest pledge that includes the deck is $55 USD, though there are higher pledge options available.

[tftarotproject]

So as I understand, this project is lost light/idw focused but has basically every major character anyway? Just cause of how many cards? Cause I love the idea of a TF tarot but I haven’t read idw so I’m not really into it much yet. Just wanna know to see if it’s good for me ya know? Thanks!

The characters included are:

0 The Fool - Tailgate

I The Magician - Brainstorm

II The High Priestess - Mistress of Flame

III The Empress - Windblade

IV The Emperor - Starscream

V The Hierophant - Optimus Prime

VI The Lovers - Chromedome and Rewind

VII The Chariot - Megatron

VIII Strength - First Aid

IX The Hermit - Cyclonus

X Wheel of Fortune - Deathsaurus

XI Justice - Ultra Magnus/Minimus Ambus

XII The Hanged Man - Drift

XIII Death - Whirl

XIV Temperance - Dai Atlas

XV The Devil - Tarn

XVI The Tower - Skids

XVII The Star -  The Necrobot/Censere

XVIII The Moon - Red Alert

XIX The Sun - Rodimus

XX Judgment - Rung

XXI The World - The Lost Light

Thundercracker - Ace of Wands

Pyra Magna - Two of Wands

Pipes - Three of Wands

Blaster - Four of Wands

Overlord - Five of Wands

Galvatron - Six of Wands

Kaon - Seven of Wands

Blurr - Eight of Wands

Metroplex - Nine of Wands

Ratchet - Ten of Wands

Ten - Page of Wands

Firestar - Knight of Wands

Nautica - Queen of Wands

Thunderclash - King of Wands

Prowl - Ace of Swords

Fulcrum - Two of Swords

Krok - Three of Swords

Metalhawk - Four of Swords

Arcee - Five of Swords

Ambulon - Six of Swords

Pharma - Seven of Swords

Vos - Eight of Swords

Tarantulas - Nine of Swords

Getaway - Ten of Swords

Wing - Page of Swords

Wheeljack - Knight of Swords

Velocity - Queen of Swords

Tyrest - King of Swords

Swindle - Ace of Pentacles

Riptide - Two of Pentacles

The Wreckers - Three of Pentacles

Trailcutter - Four of Pentacles

Fortress Maximus - Five of Pentacles

Nickel - Six of Pentacles

Shockwave - Seven of Pentacles

Perceptor - Eight of Pentacles

Trepan - Nine of Pentacles

Lockdown - Ten of Pentacles

Spinister - Page of Pentacles

Crankcase - Knight of Pentacles

Helex - Queen of Pentacles

Bumblebee - King of Pentacles

Cerebros - Ace of Cups

Lug & Anode - Two of Cups

Misfire - Three of Cups

Tesarus - Four of Cups

Grimlock - Five of Cups

Cosmos - Six of Cups

Swerve - Seven of Cups

Skywarp - Eight of Cups

Nightbeat - Nine of Cups

Chromia - Ten of Cups

Sunstreaker - Page of Cups

Jazz - Knight of Cups

Soundwave - Queen of Cups

Roller - King of Cups

Some of these characters are exclusive to the IDW comics, but most are familiar faces through continuities. Even if you don't know all of the characters, it's a beautiful deck any TF fan could appreciate. You can also go through the rest of the blog to see some of the pieces our artists have created!

[22to22]

It's my birthday

and the thing you can do to celebrate is check out Spindlewheel, a tarot-like storytelling system where you weave a story from card to card.

Spindlewheel is a unique system where the deck has as much to say about the story as you do, but the story is bespoke to you and your friends every time. Every Spindlewheel game is a constructed scaffolding for story structure, ranging from western four-act stories in Spindlewheel Classic, to tense bombastic duels to the bitter end in Meet Me In The Field of Honour At Dawn, to sorting out a trio's complicated feelings for each other in Love Machine.

The goal of Spindlewheel is to tell a satisfying story. Your character might win wealth and fame, or they might crash and burn. Both of these are victories if they fit the arc of the story you’ve told, and bring satisfaction to you as a storyteller.

How do you play? Well, I'm glad you asked!

Spindlewheel’s fundamental verb is interpretation.

Each card’s text evokes an idea.  The upright and inverse text are different. Sometimes they’re diametrically opposed; often, they’re two sides of the same coin.

Use the card as an anchor for the part of the story that you’re telling.

A card can be a person, an event, an attitude, or a physical object. Use as much as the entire card, or as little as a single word. A card is interpreted twice: once when it enters your hand, and again when you play it. It does not have to be the same interpretation.

FOR EXAMPLE: I might draw the Hearth card and Reflect that I feel like people closed their doors to me; but I might Engage that card later, declaring I won’t do the same to someone else, and play it to invite someone into my home.

It's a really excellent one shot system: it takes no prep, every setting is procedurally generated for each table, and most games are GMless. The games that are GMed are designed to support improvisation and provide coherent throughlines so the GM can focus on moment to moment play. It also works as a GM tool within other systems for when you need an ominous portent or an answer to a question where a dice roll just won't cut it.

It also makes for pretty damn good radio. Check it out on Party of One, An Atlas of the World Unknown, You Don't Meet In An Inn, Follow the Leader, and played extensively in the devlog Spindlewheel Stories where you can listen as the game takes shape over time.

Did I mention it's got an open SRD? Anyone can hack the system and sell their games. Here's a collection of people who have done just that!

Curious?

There's lots of ways to try Spindlewheel online for free! give @spindlewheelbot (by Caro Asercion) on twitter an @ for a "classic" spread inspired by the celtic cross, or a single card "vibe check"; print and play the deck with the original legacy art or play it on playingcards.io; or play it on Tabletop Playground and Tabletop Simulator.

Convinced?

Head over to www.teacabbage.com/spindlewheel to pick your digital copy of Spindlewheel on itch.io and roll20!

[fishnapple]

OMG, I love reading your detailed reaponses to the Tarot Ask Game! Lots of good and thought-provoking stuff. 🤩 If it's not done already or uncomfortable, can you give is your take on any of these? 👀 Thank you so much! 🥰 ✒️🦋 🌕🦉🍄🫧

Hi, how are you? Hope you're well 💓

Thank you for the questions and messages. 🥰

✒️ What’s a quote that sums up your philosophy?

“It’s a small world. It keeps recrossing itself. He who would do battle with the many-headed hydra of human nature must pay a world of pain & his family must pay it along with him! & only as you gasp your dying breath shall you understand, your life amounted to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean!” Yet what is any ocean but a multitude of drops? Cloud atlas - David Mitchell

There's a quote that talks about how the world, our lives, will repeat itself over and over again through many lifetimes in the same novel but it mentions su*cide so I will just quote a part of it here: "We do not stay dead long,[omitted], my birth, next time around, will be upon me in a heartbeat." It reflects my philosophy about the continuity of life and past lives.

Many things worked out as I planned them to, but that did not always prove of benefit to me. But almost everything developed naturally and by destiny. Memories, dreams, reflections - C.G Jung

This closely reflects the observation I have about life in general.

🦋 What advice would you give to someone just starting to learn tarot?

The short advice is to take it easy 😗

Learn the fundamentals and try to listen to your own intuition at the same time.

It will be different for each one of us, but in my case, books, fancy accessories, and numerous decks in your possession only served to distract me from really diving into Tarot. I find learning through direct experiences of reading, especially for other people, the most effective way. Also, watching how other readers do readings is also very educational.

Thinking about all the interpretations of each card can be intimidating, but if you group them by themes, I think it will be easier. The fool's journey, the meaning of each suit, the general meaning of each number, try to find the undercurrent similarities.

Like everything else, if you do it often enough, you will get used to it and get better at it.🕸

🌕 How do you connect with the energy of a querent before a reading?

I usually ask for their name (not initials) and their favourite colours, a scene they find beautiful so that I can build a mental image of them in my head. I'm a visual thinker so I can't think about something if I can't see it in my head. Then I will pick an object, usually a crystal to represent the querent and look at that object throughout the reading, imagine myself sitting across the querent. That's how I connect with a querent.

I have to admit that I don't feel sensations in my body like how some readers when they channel the energy of a querent and the reading. If I would describe my reading process in details, it would sound very mechanical, detached and lack the mystical or fantastical elements usually associated with divination 😅

🫧 How do you cleanse or recharge your tarot decks, if at all?

I sometimes put a Selenite crystal bar on top of the deck in good faith that the deck will be cleansed. But a part of me is quite sceptical about it. I keep my decks in separated pouches in my drawer to keep them out of light and heat and occasionally spread them on my bed to let them breathe some air.

I don't usually feel the need to cleanse my decks. Unless it was touched by someone else, then I would let it sit in a dark, open space, alone, just like how I myself would like to be when I need to recharge. An open space, cool air and darkness are good energy cleansing agents for me.

🦉Do you believe some people are gifted, and is that necessary to read tarot?

I think Tarot is like the art field or any other fields, some people will have an easier time grasping the system, do it faster, more distinctively. Some people are naturally more sensitive to energies, understand images intuitively, have the ability to articulate words in a way that flows. But that doesn't mean other people who don't have that natural disposition cannot do the same or better.

It boiled down to the mindset and how much interest you have for the subject. A curious and open mindset will make an accepting attitude towards many things, which will free the mind and the heart and let things flow more naturally, outward expression of this can be considered as natural talent. Giftedness may give you an initial boost but interest will give you fuel in the long run.

So no, I don't think you need to be gifted to read Tarot. You just need to be open to the idea of Tarot.

🍄 Do you use any tool, substance or technique to enhance the accuracy of your readings?

My tools and techniques are good sleep, well rested body, neutral state of mind and heart, good lighting and drinking lots of water.

My favourite motto when doing a reading: "first thought, best thought"

🪷

Get to know your Tarot reader - ask game

[starryspectre]

Knight of Pentacles

Another installment of my Tarot deck, this time featuring my design for the Knight of Pentacles. I’ve always felt that the knights in the Tarot could have more interesting mounts, so I decided on a figure riding a camel for this knight. The Knight of Pentacles is associated with hard work, perseverance, material wealth, strength, endurance and duty, so the camel was the most natural animal I could associate with these qualities. My knight herself is also not a typical one; I was inspired by the people of the Atlas Mountains in Algeria and their traditional dress. The jewellery and clothing are so opulent and rich in a way that reflected the Knight of Pentacles association with material wealth.

It’s interesting to note that the horses in the Rider-Waite deck are moving differently depending on the suit–the Knight of Swords’ is racing ahead, the Wands’ is leaping, and the Cups’ is riding gallantly up to a stream. The Knight of Pentacles’ horse is actually stood still, which is a symbol of his slow, methodical approach and reliability. I wanted my Knight to look relaxed, like she isn’t in a hurry, and instead seems to be enjoying the ride while she examines her Pentacle and its power.

[jasminedragonart]

Congrats on getting your comics started !! I know it will be amazing, you always rock !

By the way, can I ask if you ever intend on selling the ATLA/LOK as a real tarot deck one day ?

I'd be so interested !

I would love to. Alas my tarot deck isn't even half way done and I have firmly given up on the idea of finishing it this year.

Also it's kind of expensive to print so while I would love to have it printed I will need to do a lot of research into cost effective ways of getting it printed. I don't want people paying a fortune for it to begin with but especially when the deck itself is in my opinion kind of mid in terms of how much I like it right now.

So one day yes but that day will be far into the future in afraid.

[atla-tarot]

is the atla tarot deck still available?

Yes! The deck is still available!! You can order via the form here:

https://forms.gle/7WeaK2ZC26HAaL5T6

[threalcrabbysamantha]

VI. The Lovers

One of the most positive cards in tarot, this is a card about partnership, harmony, and, yes, romance. Here our lovers are Sokka and Suki, jumping into each others arms. Drawing the Lovers card generally suggests an incredibly strong bond, like these two have, but this doesn't just have to be romantic or external; it can also have to do with a sense of alignment and harmony within the self as well - which I think it's safe to say, these two also bring out in each other.

--

I'm drawing an Avatar themed tarot deck (Major Arcana only)! Every day I'll reveal a new design. :) Follow along and let me know which one is your favorite!

[thatmossywitch]

Hello there! The name is Artymess, sometimes Arty. I am a stay at home sensitive Cancer mother of 2 spicy fire signs, as well as married to a stubborn Scorpio. I am also 420 friendly.

I am nuerodivergent as well, so that adds a little extra flavor to my life. Between the ADHD, Executive Dysfunction, Anxiety and OCD - things are pretty eventful sometimes.

🃏 ⋆ 🌿 ⋆ 🍄 ⋆ 🌺 ⋆ 🌟⋆ 🌺 ⋆ 🍄 ⋆ 🌿 ⋆ 🃏

My main hobbies are:

A huge passion for reading, my TBR list is absurdly large but I can't seem to stop adding to it.

Anime! It's a part of my life blood at this point. Some of my tops are; Attack on Titan(Eren is bae idc), My Hero Academia, Fruits Basket, One Punch Man, ATLA, LoK, When They Cry, Arifureta, Bofuri, Black Clover, Bleach and Spy X Family.

Video games with my husband almost every day, some of our favorites include; Assassin's Creed(Black Flag, Origins & Odyssey) Stardew Valley, Deep Rock Galactic, Paladins and I personally love ESO.

Crochet is something I really find peace and enjoyment in. I was taught by a coworker one day almost 6 years ago now, took her 15 minutes to get show me the basic stitch and I had it down after that. Since then my yarn stash and pattern cache has grown immensely huge.

🃏 ⋆ 🌿 ⋆ 🍄 ⋆ 🌺 ⋆ 🌟⋆ 🌺 ⋆ 🍄 ⋆ 🌿 ⋆ 🃏

I am graciously blessed with two absolutely lovable black cat familiars to traverse this journey with me and they are a huge part of me both in and out of my practice.

I found my witch path, Eclectic, during my Saturn Return and never looked back. One of the first things I dove into and learned about was the divination art of Tarot and Oracle cards. I quickly fell in love, with the shuffling, with the feel of a deck in my head, with the wisdom that flew around when I channeled the cards - I fell in love with all of it. I have also found the comfort of working with Freya the Norse Goddess as well as Hestia the Greek Goddess.

As far as my practice goes, I've dabbled in a lot trying to find what fits best.

🃏 ⋆ 🌿 ⋆ 🍄 ⋆ 🌺 ⋆ 🌟⋆ 🌺 ⋆ 🍄 ⋆ 🌿 ⋆ 🃏

Things I include in my practice:

Tarot & Oracle

Pendulum

Animist Magic

Deity Work

Green Witchcraft

Astrology

Numerology

Spells & Incantations

Enchantments & Charms

Protection Magic

Crystals

Candle Magic

Incense Cleansing

Some fun things I've done during my practice so far have been:

Gotten really into plants, in fact my spider plant has had so many babies I'm getting overrun.

Crocheted a blanket for a friend and embedded a rune of prosperity onto it, as they were moving to a new state. (So far they've done really well & they moved to a much more expensive state.)

Made a travel protection jar for my FIL who travels to visit us every few months.

Helped a friend figure out a patron deity, twice, that was seeking to work with them, they still work with one of them today.

🃏 ⋆ 🌿 ⋆ 🍄 ⋆ 🌺 ⋆ 🌟⋆ 🌺 ⋆ 🍄 ⋆ 🌿 ⋆ 🃏

[emmajh97-mumaji]

What My Tarot Deck Says About My Blorbo?

🖤 Qrow Branwen 🖤

...

1st Card: Six of Cups (Reversed)

The 6 of Cups is a card about wallowing in the past, and when it's reversed those memories usually aren't pleasant ones. Look at how the child on the card is alone- just like Qrow, who was called a curse and ostracized because of his semblance. Even if his semblance wasn't so terrible, Qrow could never have a real childhood because he was raised in the Branwen Tribe, where he was forced to grow up fast or die. In a more literal sense, these cups could represent how Qrow copes with his own turmoil by drowning his feelings in alcohol. Looking more outwardly, perhaps this card represents how Qrow wanted to provide a good childhood for Ruby & Yang. He felt guilty for being unable to stop Summer's death, so he resolved to help Tai by training the girls in the art of combat. To give them the childhood he never had.

2nd Card: Six of Swords (Reversed)

Upright, the 6 of Swords is a card about moving on and realizing the need to let go, but reversed it can be a sign of being stuck. For his whole life, Qrow believed in Ozpin and loyally followed through on his mission. But after learning the truth about Salem, his whole reason for living was pulled out from under him. It caused him to fall into a despair of realizing that there was no winning, nowhere to hide, and no reason to keep going on. Swords is the suit of the mind, so this card could represent how Qrow is stuck in a place of mental anguish. Note the woman's dark attire and veil, which hint at mourning. Qrow is haunted by the memory of the things he did when he was a ruthless Branwen, and haunted by the people who had to be sacrificed for Ozpin's greater good. The swords keep the boat seaworthy, but when flipped upside-down, they fall out and the water comes in. Thus the mind is overcome by emotions.

Conclusion:

In the Tarot, the Fives are usually cards of conflict and turmoil, and the Sixes are the cards of recovering from that turmoil. Because both of these Sixes are reversed, it hints at the fact that Qrow still hasn't recovered from his mental and emotional traumas. He tries to stay cool, but all of his choices are still guided by fear. Qrow had started on the right path when he began to believe in Ruby and gave up drinking in Atlas, but with everything that happened with Salem's attack, Ironwood's betrayal, and Clover's death... Qrow's once again trapped in despair.

...

Bonus:

The stone from my collection that makes me think of Qrow most is--

--this Smoky Quartz!

...

Thank you for reading~ Information about my cards can be found in this post! A list of my favorite characters can be found here!

[kenobihater]

Got a new tarot deck a while back, this time it's ATLA themed! It's just called The ATLA Tarot by Yappangiearts, but it's sadly out of print. That said, I know of a shop with one copy left for like 95 bucks so if you're interested lmk and I'll send you in the right direction! If you're not willing to pay that much but still want an ATLA deck, then there's several other decks out there for less money that I can point you to as well, so check out this post! Anyways, I wanted to gush about some of my favorite cards because this is literally my FAVE ATLA themed deck out of them all and I love almost every single card choice. I'm also limiting myself to two Major Arcana and two Minor Arcana so I don't ramble on about the whole deck lmao.

The first one is what really spurred me to buy the deck so I'm gonna talk about it the most, and it's a card featuring my least fave character - Ozai as The Devil! Ozai stands in for the devil, and chained in fire and combat are his two children Zuko and Azula, standing in for the enslaved people typically shown at the devil's feet. This card to me usually represents addiction, vice, and obsession, though with this card I'm inclined to take it a little deeper bc of the genius decision to include his kids. His kids have been raised to compete for his affection (you could almost say they're obsessed with one-upping each other), affection that always came at the price of their relationship with their sibling. With every instance of pitting them against each other, he drove another wedge between the two of them. That's cyclical to me and adds a layer of unhealthy family relationships to this card, and I hate Ozai so much but goddamn do I love this card choice!

The next card I wanna talk about is Zuko as The Hanged Man. In the Major Arcana it's number 12, right before Death at number 13. If Death represents change, then The Hanged Man can represent the discomfort that pushes us to take that final leap. The Hanged Man to me represents the ultimate card of liminality, of being stuck between the upright, logical world and the upside down, illogical world. It also can mean you feel stuck, it can be a symbol of surrendering to fate, and it can even mean enlightenment of some sort at the cost of some type of discomfort. Zuko is DEEPLY conflicted and stuck between two worlds for a majority of the show, so I think he's a wonderful choice for this card!

Onto the minors! The Two of Swords again features Zuko, though this time it's his Blue Spirit mask. It typically features a blindfolded figure holding two swords, and the Blue Spirit is a PERFECT stand in for this, both visually and symbolically! The mask stands in for the blindfold, protecting Zuko's identity rather than allowing for unbiased judgement in a difficult decision, though both cut the wearer off from the outside world. This card can mean that one is at a crossroads and needs to make a difficult decision. Imho, the Blue Spirit's introduction is also the first step Zuko takes towards redemption. Yes he does the right thing for the wrong reason, but he still commits a good act, if a primarily selfish one. So, portraying this scene as the Two of Swords is brilliant I think bc it is undoubtedly a difficult decision that Zuko makes in rescuing Aang!

Finally, I wanna talk about the Six of Swords. Traditionally, this is portrayed as a woman and a child being ferried across a river by a boatman, leaving the rough waters behind. It can symbolize journeys in general, whether literal, metaphorical, or both. In the ATLA tarot, instead we see Iroh and Zuko's topknot and ponytail floating by in a stream. I love this, because it keeps the parent-and-child motif, but represents very well the decision the two have just made to both sever themselves from their pasts and move on to wherever the road takes them in their flight from Azula.

In conclusion: I fucking ADORE this deck!!

[xtruss]

It is not known how these cards were played, but almost all card games from 15th century Europe involved some form of gambling. Since at least the 7th century, people throughout the world have used used cards for games or as collector's items. Photograph By The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Original Pokémon? A Visual (Ancient) History of Trading Cards

Our love of playing cards dates farther back than you think—perhaps as far back as the T’ang Dynasty. Here’s a look at their colorful past.

— By Elaina Zachos | November 3, 2023

In a world filled with endless entertainment, some of the simplest and most enduring sources of amusement can be found in a deck of playing cards.

For centuries, these unassuming game pieces have held a special place in the hearts and hands of people across the globe. From the hand-painted cards of T’ang Dynasty China to paper-and-plastic Pokémon trading cards, the history of playing cards spans cultures, epochs, and continents.

When The Walt Disney Company celebrated its 100th birthday last month, everyone got to take part in this century’s-long tradition with TikTok’s new digital playing card game. As a member of the mouse-eared family, Nat Geo saw over four million new followers scurry to our TikTok account, mostly to trade these digital cards.

This got us thinking—what’s the history of playing cards anyway?

China A.D. 600-1600s

It’s unclear when and where playing cards were invented, but they were popularized in China more than a thousand years ago. References to “domino cards” existed as early as the T’ang Dynasty, which lasted from 618-907 AD. Some historians, however, say playing cards took off during the 10th century. Either way, these cards were originally hand-painted on paper or parchment.

Fast-forward a few hundred years to the Ming Dynasty—which lasted from 1368-1644 AD—and you’ll find playing cards gaining steam. At this point, some cards had images of characters from popular novels. Others were “money cards” with suits inspired by old Chinese currency.

Left: These playing card fragments date to 13th and 16th century Egypt and are remarkably similar to those used today, with fifty-two cards divided into four suits: cups, coins, swords, and polo sticks.

Right: Unlike their Western counterparts—the king, queen, and jack—Mamluk court cards do not feature figural imagery but are identified through a combination of symbols and label-like inscriptions. Photographs By Museum Associates/LACMA

Egypt 1300s-1500s

From China, playing cards were likely carried to the Middle East via the Silk Road.

One deck dates back to the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, which ended in 1517. These hand-painted cards were adorned with intricate calligraphic rhymes and likely belonged to a wealthy owner. They carried suits of coins, cups, swords, and polo sticks. Each suit would have had 13 cards, including three all-male court cards: the King, the Lieutenant, and the Second Lieutenant.

These French playing cards were made in the 18th century. The suit, hearts, are hidden in the cartoonish faces depicted on the card. Photograph By The Trustees of The British Museum

Italy, Spain, and France 1400s-1700s

There’s wide speculation on how playing cards eventually made it to Europe, playing card historian Peter Endebrock told Atlas Obscura in 2020. But most historians agree they suddenly showed up by the end of the 1300s, possibly introduced by Crusade-era soldiers.

Europeans loved these cards. Hand-painted and elaborately designed, playing cards were originally a luxury good popular among the wealthy. However, printing presses and stencils eventually helped to simplify the patterns on the cards and made them more accessible to a wider audience. By the 15th century, playing cards could be found throughout the continent’s inland trade routes.

In the Middle Ages, playing cards began to take on divination capabilities, which marked a significant shift in the use of the cards. For example, the Tarot deck, originally for competitive card games, later morphed into a tool for fortune-telling.

Today, the 52-card French deck is the most famous playing card deck. Its four suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades) and two colors (red and black) are well-known to players around the world. The deck’s popularity is partially due to its simple design and because it was a favorite among the most prominent imperialist powers: France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Left: Early collectible cards didn't just feature athletes—some depicted celebrities. The women show here was French dancer Cleo de Merode, who lived from 1875 to 1966. Photograph By Transcendental Graphic/Contributor

Right: Honus Wagner was an American baseball player during the turn of the century. The baseball card seen here sold for a record $7.25 million in 2022. Photograph By Chris Hondros, Newsmakers/Getty Images

U.S. Athletes and Celebrities 1800s-1900s

Heavily taxed playing cards circulated in the American Colonies before the Revolutionary War. After, U.S. printers began making their own copies. Americans eventually introduced Joker cards to French decks around 1860.

Trading cards, similar to TikTok’s Disney100 collectibles, originated as “trade cards” around the same time as jokers. First sold as advertising cards, they were packaged up with cigarettes to keep the packaging stiff.

Multi-color printing around the turn of the century made trade cards even more popular. Although the cards were not related to specific products, companies began including them in packaging as a sort of prize for consumers. By the time baseball became a professional sport, sports trade cards were printed and sold in candy and tobacco products.

Members of the public began collecting these cards and trading them with each other. In the 1930s, companies began printing athletes’ biographies on baseball cards and selling them in packs of bubble gum. By 1949, Topps Chewing Gum was including cards of athletes, cinema stars, and big game hunters in their products. People started viewing sports cards as valuable collectibles in the 1980s, despite their low monetary worth years earlier.

Inspired by the video game, Pokémon cards are used both as collectors items and as game playing cards. Some rare cards are worth thousands of dollars. Photograph By Oreolife/Alamy Stock Photo

Pokémon 1990s-Present

Trading cards morphed into gameplay by the close of the 20th century. In 1993, while working on his PhD in mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania, Richard Garfield invented Magic: The Gathering, which is one of the most well-known trading games today.

Around the same time, a game designer and an illustrator in Japan pitched Nintendo on a game called Pocket Monsters. In 1996, Pocket Monsters—which would later be renamed Pokémon—was released as a video game and went on to sell millions of copies.

Months later, a companion trading card game was produced, which contained 102 illustrated cards. One year after the U.S. release of Pokémon in 1998, the Pokémon Trading Card Game was introduced to North America by the same company that created Magic: The Gathering. More than 30 billion Pokémon cards have been printed today.

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230104 #periphelion day 🌞 image creds: 1) NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (SSC), 2007 • illustration showing the relative sizes of the Sun and the Earth by placing them impossibly close together. 2. Sir Robert Ball. The Story of the Sun. London: Cassell and Co., 1910 3. Genisis cap.I. v.16.17.18.19. Opus quartæ Diei. J. A. Friderich sculp, copperplate engraving, pl. XI (vol. 1), Füssli, Johann Melchior; Fridrich, Jacob Andreas (sculp.). Johann JakobScheuchzer. Physica Sacra. Zurich: Christian Ulrich Wagner, 1731 4. Andreas Cellarius - Scenographia Systematis Copernicani, Scenography of the Copernican world system, 1661 5. Ernst Steiner - Lebensbaum (Tree of Life), 1982 6. Plate I. The Sun. Electro Astronomical Atlas : designed for schools, academies and ladies’ seminaries : with explanatory notes, questions and answers. J. Q. (Joseph W.) Spoor. Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons, 1874. 7. Sun card (La Lumiere). Grand jeu de l'Oracle des Dames tarot deck, a.k.a. Etteilla III deck. G. Regamey (possibly Guilaume Urban Régamey). 1865 https://www.instagram.com/p/CnBh5wpMwSJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=