Mamluk Turkish Playing Card Deck Fragment

About the Deck

Found by Leo Mayer in 1942, this deck provides a crucial link between the patterns of the East and those of the West. It has distilled the Persian/Indian suits down into suits very similar to those used still today in Mediterranean Europe. These are the same suits used in most Tarot decks today.

Provenance

Turkey, c1400.

According to Many Schools of Thought

Papus's Divinatory Meanings

Realization of the commencement of an enterprise. The basis of the work is now definitely established, and the undertaking can be fearlessly continued.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

A very good card; collaboration will favour enterprise.

S. L. MacGregor Mathers's Divinatory Meanings

Upright

Enterprise, Undertaking, Commerce, Trade, Negotiation

Reversed

Hope, Desire, Attempt, Wish.

Mme. Le Marchand's Divinatory Meanings

by inheritance you will come into possession of a handsome country seat, where you will live for several years, but too extravagantly; when all your money is gone, you will move into a small country town, where you will play a great part to last.