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

A dark man. A friend. Generally married. The father of a family.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

Upright

Generally favourable may signify a good marriage.

Reversed

Advice that should be followed.

Mme. Le Normand's Divinatory Meanings

Trouble. Happiness. Disaster to friends. Good news of friends.

S. L. MacGregor Mathers's Divinatory Meanings

Upright

Man living in the country, Country Gentleman, Knowledge, Education

Reversed

A naturally good but severe man, Counsel, Advice, Deliberation.

P.R.S. Foli's Divinatory Meanings

Upright

A dark man, warm-hearted and true as a friend, straight in his dealings

Reversed

good intentions frustrated.

Mme. Le Marchand's Divinatory Meanings

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.