Tarot Symbols

The popularity of tarot cards has not diminished over the years. People still buy tarot cards, either for personal use or as a gift. However, a steadily increasing number of tarot card enthusiasts are now ignoring established packs and are commissioning specially made set of cards instead. The fact that people still buy tarot cards with historical and cultural value helps keep these pictogram-filled cards within the mainstream.

Historical and Cultural Value

It may seem strange to hear that a lot of people buy tarot cards for their historical and cultural value, nevertheless, this is a hobby that has entertained many collectors for decades. As many collectors know, tarot cards had their supposed origins between the years 1410 and 1430, in Italy. The actual place where these cards were made is still disputed, but sources cite three likely places: Bologna, Ferrara, or Milan. In those days cards were not used for divination, but as playing cards known as carte da trionfi, or triumph cards.

Many collectors buy tarot cards that have survived the ages. To date, a complete set of tarot playing cards from the 14th and 15th centuries has yet to be found; individual cards from this time are considered to be the most valuable, with regards to monetary worth. However, the few pieces that survive are both educationally illuminating, and intrinsically valuable. One good piece (well preserved and mostly intact) can easily reach a price of several thousand dollars.

Historically valuable tarot cards, as a rule, are very difficult to find, simply because many of them are damaged through constant human handling (they are playing cards, after all). Nonetheless, collectors often prefer to buy tarot cards that have passed through many hands, because these are the ones that best reflect the era, or people who have unwittingly handled them.

Pop Culture Value

These days, people also buy tarot cards for their pop culture value; although admittedly, these are less pricey than the historically valuable cards. Pop culture tarot cards can fall into two groups:

1. People buy tarot cards that are nothing more than novelty items. However, these are highly reflective of our age, and enthusiasts are collecting them mostly for entertainment’s sake. Popular entertainment and political figures replace conventional images, like the Wheel of Fortune replacing the Wheel of Life; or the Death card depicting the JFK’s last hours. People often commission cards with pictograms depicting the people in their lives. This is a great novelty gift, and there are quite a few companies offering this kind of printing service. However, this would entail quite a lengthy period before a full deck of cards could be completed.

2. People buy tarot cards in order to learn divination on their own. The history of divining a person’s past, present and future started sometime between the 18th and the 19th centuries, and has never lost its appeal to a great number of enthusiasts. More and more tarot card collectors are slowly learning ancient ways of reading the cards, and there are still people who believe in these interpretations.