The beautiful imagery on Tarot cards has developed over the centuries. One of the most famous decks was thought to have been commissioned by one of the most influential families in Italy, the Visconti-Sforzas. It is sometimes called the Bembo deck as this was the artist who fashioned the paintings.
If anyone has been watching the scintillating Borgias drama on Saturdays the clothing fashions seem to be quite familiar, especially the male fashions, and appear to be similar to some of those on the deck, albeit a lot brighter in colour.
There are a few differences from current decks.
The icons for coins, representing the merchant class of society, were apparent instead of the current pentacle motif.
The icons for wands or batons represented the kindling wood which the peasant class of society gathered for their own use.
Swords represented the nobility or higher classes and the chalice or goblet/cup represented the chalice used in communion and therefore the upper class in society, the clergy.
Another difference is the loss (deliberate or accidental, there is no definitive explanation) of two of the Major Arcana cards, the Tower and the Devil.
It may be that those two cards from the more elaborately decorated arcana were perceived as a threat and removed from this tarot deck in the times of Papal Bulls outlining the expectation for Princes of Christian lands to lay down the law and bring their subjects into line regarding religious piety and abhoring the use of practices deemed to be linked to witchcraft, sorcery or soothsaying. At any rate, Visconti-Sforza tarot decks are available with novel additions to replace the missing two cards.
I feel that the Tarot deck is a beautiful work of art which has transcended the centuries and retains its attraction on several levels.
julietarot
julietarot-flowing thoughts author julie webster
0 comments:
Post a Comment