.::THEORIES ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE TAROT::.

I. The most popular Tarot deck played during medieval times by maharlikans and aristocrat was: The Visconti-Sforza Tarocchi Deck in 1450. It’s a combination of major and minor arcana with 78 cards. Believed to be the most old and complete.

The basis of their evidence was from the hypothesis of Idries Shah, a Sufi, that the origin of the word Tarot is from Arabic “Turuq” – which means “four ways,” they quoted from this:

The major arcana of trump cards, was stands for the secret symbol of the Sufis, which influence the system of Qabalah. In that case we can notice sometimes the symbolism between Qabalah and Tarot cards. The strong link was stated in Turkish writings, Codex Cumanicus.

II. But according to Pier Candid Decembrio, secretary of Filippo Maria Visconti, in 1419 he writes the biography of Filippo, in August/September 1447. It was only created by his first secretary Marziano da Tortona. He was created it greatly, the drawings composed of 4 kinds of kings, 16 gods and goddesses that are included to 60 cards. His biography already finished in September 1447 and sends it to Leonello for editing.

III. In Marziano statement he called himself as Martianus de Sankto, Sankto Alosio from small village near in Tortona. In the reason that the Visconti interest to be the duke of Milan, and the belief that Aeneas was their ancestor, they need to create a genealogical presentation of Visconti Family to Michelino da Besozzo the best artist of their time. Without second thought Michelino paint their geneology. In that way it was called the Michelino Deck in 1424 he was payed by Filippo in the amount of 1,500 ducats for the whole pack of cards. And it was presented by Filippo to the congress in feast day of St. Juliette, June 1425. The ideal date to present the deck, which later is called Trionfi deck.

Commentary: On these theories of the 14^th century, we can see the contradictions between the three statements, which may lead us into confusion about the origin of the cards. Now, which of the three is correct and misleading? We can notice that each of them has inner intentions, to implement their selfish motive or identity.

“The purpose of this article is to offer a historically accurate origin of tarot cards;

They have stated that the Tarot was originate from Arabia, and was being brought by Saracen to France and Italy in 14^th century. The complete Tarot with 78 cards exists during the time of Francesco Sforza, called The Visconti-Sforza Tarocchi Deck. The word Tarot from Arabic ‘turuq’ which means “four ways.” But always remember that this word is only a hypothesis of Idries Shah, stated in his article The Sufi. It is because he suspects that it was from Arabic word ‘tariq’. (way)

Commentary: If the Tarot came from word turuq, has a meaning of ‘four ways” which stands for four ‘social classes,’ can we found that system in Arabia? No, only India was known to their four caste system. The word “Taro” – river, in north Italy was closest compared to Arabic word tariq.

They also said that the Tarot was invented only for gambling purposes, no more, no less. That’s why it has no relation in divination. In simple analysis, how come a mystic sect will create a system that forbidden to their law? Is it right for one Sufi or Muslim to be engage in gambling? In recent time we cannot see even one Muslim gambling using card. So, how come a Sufi will create a card for gambling? And also, it composes pictures that are forbidden to Muslim Religion.

Commentary: Now, if this card was invented only for gambling purposes, why Sufis put mystical signs to the cards they invented, which directly influence the Qabalah. Is it really true?

How come Sufis influence the Qabalah, this system is older than them. We can found out in history that in the beginning of Sufism, they borrow the idea and belief of Christians, Gnostic, Qabalah, and Buddhism. That’s why we can notice that the japa (rosary beads) used by Sufis was adapted to Tantric Buddhism.

And if it is directly comes from Saracen, why during their conquest to Spain in 711 A.D., only in 14^th century (according to them) this card exist in Italy; more correct if it exist in Spain because this is the intellectual center of Muslim. Also, we cannot see even in oldest Tarot cards drawing that are related to Sufi emblem or even number of cards in Arabic numerals. (Indian Numerals)

In that case we can say that Feliciano Busi and those who believe in his writings are absolutely wrong. It is because if cards are only brought by Saracen in 14^th century, what card exist in Italy during 1299 A.D.? And if it’s only brought by them, why major and minor arcana are separated for a long period of time? Completed or combined only in the time of Francesco Sforza.

The word Tarot or Tarocchi, was clearly not French or Italian, that’s why the alternative word of French for Tarot is ‘Atouts’ and ‘Attuti’ in Italian. Also, there is no clear basis that this word is from Taro river of Italy. It is because the river stated was no relation to the cards, and there is no written history about the link of two.

If the word Tarot was clearly borrowed, it also means this cards was originally not from Italy, even this is the place where tarot become popular.

Let’s take a look again to the statement of Pier Candid Decembrio, according to him, the cards, (we can notice that during that time the cards was not called as Tarot.) created by Marziano da Tortona the first secretary of Filippo Maria Visconti, compose of 16 gods and goddesses, (arrange in order according to their rank.) and four types of kings:

Suit	Suit-sign	16 "Greek" gods in increasing order
Virtues	eagle	1. Jupiter	5. Apollo	9. Mercury	13. Hercules
Riches	phoenix	2. Juno	6. Neptun	10. Mars	14. Eolus
Virginities	turtledove	3. Pallas	7. Diana	11. Vesta	15. Daphne
Pleasures	dove	4. Venus	8. Bacchus	12. Ceres	16. Cupido

I. Jupiter: (Giove) Sitting on a throne, surrounded and provided with 4 heavenly signs in the corners. Above right is the splendour of wisdom and above left the light, with which laws are given, at the right bottom is a bright star like Mars, which shines in those who preserve the state; in the left bottom the thunderbolt.

II. Juno: Her aspect indicates the spouse of Jupiter; with head veiled in the manner of matrons, the order of the crown indicates the number of reigns. It is richly adorned; her beautiful dress somberly coloured, but evanescent. The chariot and arms, assigned to her by Virgil, seem abandoned.

III. Pallas: (Athena). With the right hand holds an olive-branch of peace; wearing a multiple mantle and a multicoloured robe (to signify the modifications of the counsels of the wise over time). Holds a light shield made horrible by the Gorgon.

IV. Venus: (Venere) With a somewhat lustful demeanour, hair loose, breast and arms bare, knees naked, the easier to induce love; with a supple lynx-skin cloak; with the bow ready and the wearing the quiver to hunt and wound the souls of men who wander in the shadows.

V. Apollo: Has a look conforming to the military life; his long head of hair is crowned with laurel, by right warrior and poet; he carries bow and arrows, in whose use he excels.

VI. Neptune: (Nettuno) with regal aspect of the old school, seated on a chariot drawn by two dolphins. Has a trident as scepter to show his rulership of the water.

VII. Diana: Dressed in a white mantle, flying on a golden carriage with arrows and bow, drawn by two white deer with shining golden horns. Figured with threefold aspect.
Note: Diana is sometimes presented with three faces.

VIII. Bacchus: (Bacco) With a face of everlasting youth and his temples decorated with his vines. As his name signifies, he carries a stick to support himself when drunken; the car is drawn by two tigers.

IX. Mercurio: (Mercurio) Like the Arcadians, has the head covered with a "galero" (broad-brimmed cardinal's hat); with caduceus, ringed with two snakes; winged shoes.

X. Mars: (Marte) With chariot decorated by a thousand ensigns of victory over enemies. Rides with drawn bloodied sword to indicate the way.

XI. Vesta: With chaste aspect like monks standing near an altar before its immortals praying to the gods.

XII.Ceres: Advances in regal vestment, harvests at each side; holding in hand a burning torch.

XIII. Hercules: (Ercole) in his terrible aspect, his forehead crowned with a laurel, carelessly clothed with the skin of the huge Nemean lion, monumental sign of force. At his feet, wounded by arrows, lies the anthropomorphic monster of the Strofadi.
Note: Strofadi is the island home to the harpies.

XIV. Aiolus: (Eolo) Sitting in regal garment among the reefs of his island creating flames with his scepter.

XV. Daphne: (Dafne) In virginal dress clinging to her Laurel.

XVI. Cupido: (Cupido) In flight to show the instability of the lovers and wearing a human heart. Wandering nude through heaven and earth with bow ready to shoot.

It said it was composed of 60 cards (4X10 numbers + 16 gods + 4 kinds of kings.) In reality there is no card with a number of 1 – 10 stated. But, he tell:

“There are four order of gods, related to birds and qualities (suits), each of the suits has its own king - beside the king no other court card is mentioned; Marcello also spoke only of kings, when describing the deck”

We can notice that this is not the arrangement of the 60 cards. Let’s take a look, during 1420 there is no name given to cards of Trionfi related to this game. It means that the 16 gods divided into four rows, each row has their corresponding king to rule. The four stated order of gods, was divided into row of four elements.

When the pictures of gods and goddesses used in playing, they said that Filippo Maria Visconti was act in modern way. (It means that before using it in gambling, it is use also for other purposes?)

According to writings of Marziano da Tortona, in age of 32 of Filippo Maria Visconti, (1392-1447) he ordered Michelino da Besozzo to make a card for him in the amount of 1,500 gold ducats. Featured the genealogical presentation of their race. It was presented to Duke and to the council of aristocrat on June 1425. The Duke called it the Trionfi, it was also the time of his triumph, and this is the first time when this card called Trionfi.

If we analyze carefully, before this, there are some cards exist in Italy and France. The same to the pictures of gods and goddesses, and not use in gambling, we can refer to the biography of Filippo Maria Visconti:

In his biography we can notice that the Duke, during his young age was loved to play various kinds of game like cards. Until he approached to Marziano da Tortona to make a card for him, next to the famous artist named Michelino da Besozzo. What kind of cards he play during his young age? Where it came from? Because, it was clear the cards stated has a different designs.

Commentary: If the Tarocchi was evolved from cards of Marziano that compose of gods and goddesses, what gods you can compare “The Fool?” And if the Tarot evolved from Michelino Trionfi, who is “The Devil” or “The Beggar" in Visconti lineage? Surely, there is no one you can give even on person from their races. Do you think, it is pleasant for Filippo Maria, that his clan he want to be popular and good in image (that’s why they paint their lineage to the cards.) to the eyes of people, contains a Devil and a Beggar?

Therefore, the said cards weren’t evolved in the connection made by Visconti-Sforza Tarocchi deck in 1450, (composed of 78 cards including major and minor arcana.) which presented by Francesco Sforza to the aristocrats. Where Sforza did got this card? If this card was from the roman gods, we know that there are numbers assigned according to its order. But if they are from Visconti’s genealogy, it was clear that they know their sequence in their family tree. If that so, we can easily put the major arcana in order without hesitation. Even the word Tarot or Tarocchi was not original in Italy. And that is what I am now unveiling to you as you go on reading this article.