the ancient wisdom of the cards.
Mamluk Turkish Playing Card Deck Fragment
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.
Turkey, c1400.
A dark man. A friend. Generally married. The father of a family.
Generally favourable may signify a good marriage.
Advice that should be followed.
Trouble. Happiness. Disaster to friends. Good news of friends.
Man living in the country, Country Gentleman, Knowledge, Education
A naturally good but severe man, Counsel, Advice, Deliberation.
A dark man, warm-hearted and true as a friend, straight in his dealings
good intentions frustrated.
vexation, quarrels, strife – a duel – murder and bloodshed, of which, however, the person inquiring of the cards is innocent. This card signifies also an age of eighty years and upward.