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A Bit of Tarot History... 

Most scholars of the mystical arts now agree that Tarot cards were not originally meant for fortune-telling.  Instead, the first decks, which may have made an appearance as early as the 14th century, were used to play the Italian card game known as Trionfi ("Triumphs") and, later, as Tarocchi.  Similar to modern trick-taking games like Hearts or Spades, Tarocchi employed a deck that was the precursor of our traditional playing cards, though with four slightly different suits...swords, staves, coins, and cups.  Around Leonardo's time, a fifth suit of twenty-two separate triumphs, or trump cards, was added to the mix. 

Each triumph was different, and they included such representations as the Magician, the Chariot, and Temperance.  Those figures were firmly based in religious and classical symbolism, and represented a hero's journey of sorts…a popular motif that would have been quite familiar to the people of the time. 

But by the mid-16th century, the triumphs had morphed into something a bit more esoteric.  No longer were they the iconic images of the Church past; instead, they had begun to take on more modern--and slightly darker--meanings.  And by the 18th century, the Tarot deck had become a common tool of those who walked the arcane path, its devotees interpreting random cards' symbolism in order to divine the hidden present, or else to speak of things to come. 

 

Tarot Inspiration in PORTRAIT OF A LADY... 

It was while I was doing research for THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT that I stumbled across the mention of a particular Tarocchi deck from the mid-15th century.  It was painted by then-court artist Bonifacio Bembo for the noble Visconti and Sforza families of Milan, and it has survived (though sadly tattered) into modern times.  Unfortunately, the deck, known as the Visconti-Sforza Tarot, is not complete.  Four cards are missing from it:  the Three of Swords, the Knight of Pentacles, the Devil, and the Tower.

What happened to those four cards, no one knows.  It is suggested that the two missing triumphs, the Devil and the Tower, were not even part of the original deck… that those two particular images were added much later.  But the small mystery of the four vanished cards made for an interesting bit of speculation, and it was the jumping off point for this book.  For, if anyone could learn what became of those cards, I was certain that it would be Leonardo and Dino!

here is a photo of an actual card from an original deck painted by Bembo:

This is the Page of Staves...the same character that "Dino" portrayed in PORTRAIT OF A LADY.  The card is one of the few remaining examples from a 15th century Bembo Tarot. It appeared in Christie's auction in 2006 and was projected to sell for between $10,00 AND $15,000.

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Several modern reproductions of the Visconti-Sforza Tarot are currently on the market. Some are direct copies, capturing the aged dull shades of the surviving cards, while others have recreated the deck as it might have originally appeared, with vivid colors and plenty of gilding. 

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You can see more examples of cards from the Visconti-Sforza Tarot if you view my youtube trailer for PORTRAIT OF A LADY.

Above are examples of the Major Arcana from an early 20th century Tarot deck (click on lower RH corner to enlarge).  The cards, along with a general description of their meanings and their places in the Tarot "journey", are:

(0) Fool (an innocent ready to set off on adventure, usually represented as a traveling youth blissfully unaware he's about to step off a steep cliff)

 (I) Magician (empowers the Fool with his magical strength and energy for the journey ahead)

(II) High Priestess (female counterpart to the Magician--yin to his yang--offering the Fool a chance to "leave it up to her")

(III) Empress ("earth mother"…loving, harmonious)

(IV) Emperor ("warrior"…leader, authoritarian)

(V) Hierophant ("spiritual leader"…discipline, law)

(VI) Lovers (finding the yin/yang or balance within)

(VII)  Chariot (focusing on a path & moving forward)

(VIII) Strength (power, control, fortitude)

(IX)  Hermit (reflection on where the Fool has been)

(X) Wheel of Fortune (opportunity, good luck)

(XI) Justice (balance, partnership)

(XII) Hanged Man (unable to progress; a dead end)

(XIII) Death (changes, rebirth)

(XIV) Temperance (destiny, new experiences)

(XV) Devil (confusion, defeat, lies/deception)

(XVI) Tower (breaking down/departure from the old)

(XVII) Star (transformation, hope, healing)

(XVIII) Moon (mysteries; ready to take on a new life)

(XIX) Sun (clarity, contentment)

(XX) Judgment (awakening of mind/spirit…seeing things as they really are)

(XXI) World (freedom, accomplishment, completion)

Note: in certain decks #8 (Strength) and # 11 (Justice) are switched.

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While there are hundreds if not thousands of Tarot decks out there, with themes ranging from African American Tarot to Zodiac Tarot, the most popular deck remains one that hails from the early 20th century: the RIDER-WAITE TAROT. 

Its imagery is recognized even by those who know little about Tarot.  In fact, a large percentage of modern decks work off this same imagery; thus, they are known as Rider-Waite clones.  For a look at the entire Rider-Waite Tarot deck and a short history of its creation, check out this WIKIPEDIA article.

 

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Many people, like myself, enjoy the Tarot simply for its beautiful art.  And Tarot decks are quite the collectible, with some selling for hundreds of dollars.  So if you happen to be poking around in your attic and find a deck left over from your hippy days in the 1960s, don't toss it out!  You might be able to get big $$ for it.  Or feel free to send it on to me to add to my collection *smile*.

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If your interest in Tarot has been piqued by PORTRAIT OF A LADY, here's a great website with lots of information:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/

You'll find examples of hundreds of Tarot deck, both modern and vintage, along with articles and information explaining how to read the Tarot for yourself and others.  And, for a little fun, including a free Tarot reading, go to the Llewellyn site and ask your question.