Egyptian Tarot
Egyptian Tarot inspired by ancient Egyptian art, mythology, and iconography, published by Naipes La Banca, Buenos Aires, c.1980.
Egyptian Tarot published by Naipes La Banca, Buenos Aires, c.1980
Ancient Egyptian deities or luminaries, with hieroglyphs and titles in Egyptian and English, have been aptly assigned to the 22 major arcana cards of this contemporary 78-card deck. Tarot symbolism was originally born in medieval Italy and includes archaic ideas which can be re-applied today. Although claims of Egyptian origin are debatable, the result is an attractive, symbolic tarot deck of universal appeal. The back design features a splendid scarab beetle (in fact a dung beetle, representing rebirth) holding a rising sun, resembling gold inlaid with blue, red and green enamel.
The four suits of the minor arcana are distinguished by textbox inscriptions and background colours. The court cards are Pharaoh, Queen, Charioteer and Page. The scarab beetle also appears on the one of coins, symbolising new energy for life in the underworld.
Above: Egyptian Tarot published by Naipes La Banca, Buenos Aires, c.1980. 78 cards + 2 extra cards. The cards are the size of normal playing cards.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
Activity for Egyptian Tarot
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Foto Joker
'Foto Joker' Spanish playing cards for Matera Color Laboratory, 2008.
Caballos Argentinos
“Caballos Argentinos” playing cards with photographs of horses and ponies on each card.
G. Berger, Buenos Aires, c.1935-50
Berger also produced a Hungarian-type "Seasons" pack with the brand name "La Estrella" and a six-poi...
Anonymous manufacturers 1
Argentina has produced a series of anonymous decks, both Spanish-suited and Anglo-American type and ...
Taroquis ‘Obelisco’
78-card 'Taroquis Marca Obelisco' published by Mario Colombo, Buenos Aires, during the 1950s, 60s & ...
Alvarez Holmberg y Cia,
Alvarez Holmberg y Cia, playing card manufacturer, Buenos Aires, Argentina, c.1950-70
Argentinian Playing Cards - Naipes Argentinos
Playing cards were introduced to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
Naipes La Banca
Naipes La Banca, Argentina c.1970-85.
Nascal S.R.L., Buenos Aires, 1960-80
Nascal S.R.L., Paisandu 760, Buenos Aires c.1960-80, manufacturers of plastic playing cards.
Impuestos Internos Sobre Naipes
Duty was first introduced on playing cards in Argentina in 1892, as part of the Internal Duties law,...
Tarocco Piedmontese, Buenos Aires c.1900
Tarocco Piedmontese by Fabrica de Naipes La Primitiva, Moreno 248, Buenos Aires c.1900
Tarocco Piedmontese by Fabrica de Naipes La Primitiva, Bs Aires
Tarocco Piedmontese by Fabrica de Naipes La Primitiva, Defensa 125, Buenos Aires c.1890.
La Primitiva, Victoria 3179, Buenos Aires
La Primitiva, Victoria 3179, Buenos Aires c.1878-1920, manufacturers of paper and playing cards.
Ernesto Flaiban - Quality Control
Sr. Ernesto Flaiban, founder and president of E. Flaiban S.A., is seen here checking the quality of ...
Fagoaga y Compañía (Casa Bertrand Domec), Buenos Aires, c.1970
Playing Cards Imported into Argentina by Fagoaga y Compañía (Casa Bertrand Domec), Buenos Aires, c.1...
Cía General Fabril Financiera S.A.
Founded in 1889 as Compañía General de Fósforos, and favoured by certain economic factors, the firm ...
XV Century Italian Playing Cards
Cards from a pack of an early form of north Italian playing cards, with the swords back-to-back and ...
List of Argentinian Playing Card Manufacturers
List of Argentinian Playing Card Manufacturers from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Tarots Egipcios Kier
The “Tarots Egipcios” was first published by Editorial Kier S.A. in c.1971 with Spanish titles, with...
Jason Ennis Tarot Cards
Jason Ennis was a self trained artist interested in man's nature, his powers and abilities.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
