Korean Fighting Arrow Cards
One of the precursors to modern European playing cards was Korean Fighting Arrow cards. Based on the concept of gaming arrows, they are long and narrow, and feature numeral and suit marks like western cards.
It is not known whether these may have been the ancestors of Chinese Money Cards or Persian Ganjifeh, but they are clearly related.
Image Gallery
Eight "Generals" from a set of Korea
Eight "Generals" from a set of Korean playing cards. Culin, Stewart. "Chess and playing cards." Government Printing Office. 1898.
Shaftments of Korean Practice Arrows.
Shaftments of Korean Practice Arrows. Culin, Stewart. "Chess and playing cards." Government Printing Office. 1898.
Four Korean men playing cards.
Four Korean men playing cards. Culin, Stewart. "Chess and playing cards." Government Printing Office. 1898.
Suit Marks on Korean Playing Cards
Suit Marks on Korean Playing Cards
Suit Marks on Korean Playing Cards
Numeral Marks on Korean Playing Cards. Culin, Stewart. "Chess and playing cards." Government Printing Office. 1898.
