this esotericism was stoked by fascination with all things Egyptian. A familiar image from tarot cards, the Wheel of Fortune, adorns the 14th- to 16th-century floor of the Siena Cathedral in Italy.

The Empress. The Hanged Man. The Chariot. Judgment. With their centuries-old iconography blending a mix of ancient symbols, religious allegories, and historic events, tarot cards can seem ...

de Gébelin saw a group playing tarot at a salon in Paris. He was immediately struck by what he believed was ancient Egyptian symbolism hidden in the cards. Though this interpretation had no ...

“It’s from ancient Egypt.” “It was Renaissance Italians.” “They’re connected to playing cards.” “Nobody really knows.” Tarot – Origins & Afterlives at the Warburg Institute ...