Suit Systems and National Types

y about 1500 three main suit systems had evolved: Latin (including Italian, Spanish and Portuguese); Germanic (German and Swiss) and French (which has become the 'Anglo-American' suit system).

These suit systems became the basis for various Standard National patterns, or National Types, which were associated with specific regions or tax jurisdictions. These were cards for everyday use, as opposed to luxury packs.

Many have remained unchanged for centuries, being handed down through the generations, preserving their medieval characteristics. Others have evolved into modern types. Indeed, as a result of globalisation, use of computers and cost savings, playing card designs are becoming more uniform on the one hand, but with greater opportunities for customisation on the other hand.
 

The links below offer a selection of National Types

Early Italian Type

Early Italian Tarot

Early 'Dragon' pattern

Later Portuguese

Early Spanish

Spanish National

Spanish Catalan

used in: Latin America North Africa

English National Pattern

Double-ended

Chinese Cards

Indian Cards

Russian
National Pattern

Switzerland

Swiss double-ended

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