Legends & Mythology on Playing Cards
The great struggle between Light and Darkness, between the Titans and the Gods, often reframed as The Evil Empire, dystopia/utopia or irreconcilable political opponents. These themes are frequently chosen by playing card designers to create imaginative and visually striking playing card or tarot card designs.
Greek Mythology
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by Matt Probert
Greek Mythology playing cards published by Michalis Toubis S.A., 1995.
Hodges’ Constellations
Hodges’ pack dealing with astronomy had numeral cards carrying diagrams of constellations and their pictorial representations.
Iceland Mythological Playing Cards
Iceland Mythological Playing Cards designed by Sigurlinna Pétursson, 1958
Instructive and Educational Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Playing cards with an educational and instructive purpose first trended in mid-17th century France, inspiring imitations on a growing number of topics such as Arithmetic, Fortification and Military Science, Geometry, Grammar, Heraldry, Cartography, Biographies, Mythology, History, Political Satire, and so on.
Jeu de Cartomancie pour l’amusement des Dames
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by Simon Wintle
Early French Cartomancy deck "for the amusement of Ladies" but also referred to as "Jeu divinatoire révolutionnaire", 1788.
Kalevala
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by Simon Wintle
Kalevala playing cards by Sunish Chabba and Ishan Trivedi inspired by ancient Finnish mythology.
Kuningas Artturin Ritarit
“Kuningas Artturin Ritarit” (King Arthur’s Knights) playing cards designed by Mauri Kunnas
Les Grandes Figures de L’Histoire Bretonne
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by Matt Probert
Les Grandes Figures de L’Histoire Bretonne
Mayan Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Mayan Playing Cards from Guatemala / Baraja Maya / containing illustrations of archaeology, art, folklore, history and mythology of the Mayans.
Mythological and Allegorical tarot
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by Simon Wintle
Mythological and Allegorical tarot produced by Peter Paul Fetscher junior, Munich.
Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger
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by Simon Wintle
Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger, Passau, Bavaria, early 19th century.
Nipponia Playing Cards
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by Adam Wintle
Nipponia Playing Cards are a Japanese-themed playing cards featuring samurai, kunoichi and oiran. Designed by Kieran Alexander.
Pathfinder Playing Cards
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by Adam Wintle
The Pathfinder deck of cards has been inspired by Odin, the Norse god of wisdom, war and death.
Scottish Legends
Scottish Legends playing cards illustrated by Mark Oxbrow. published by R Somerville, Edinburgh, 1998.
Sirocco Playing Cards
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by Adam Wintle
Sirocco, nautical themed playing cards by Riffle Shuffle Playing Card Co. and designed by Nathan Oser, 2020.
Suicide King
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by Simon Wintle
The King of Hearts, holding a sword behind his head, is sometimes nicknamed the “Suicide King”. He can be seen to derive from a late medieval design showing a King wielding a battle axe.