Medieval Tarocchi Deck Fragment

About the Deck

Also mistakenly known as the Gringonneur deck, but this is a misnomer. This could not have been the deck of Charles VI, because it is too late, and it is Italian in origin.

Provenance

Italy c. 1500

According to Many Schools of Thought

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

The Chariot. This is represented in some extant codices as being drawn by two sphinxes, and the device is in consonance with the symbolism, but it must not be supposed that such was its original form; the variation was invented to support a particular historical hypothesis. In the eighteenth century white horses were yoked to the car. As regards its usual name, the lesser stands for the greater; it is really the King in his triumph, typifying, however, the victory which creates kingship as its natural consequence and not the vested royalty of the fourth card. M. Court de Gebelin said that it was Osiris Triumphing, the conquering sun in spring-time having vanquished the obstacles of winter. We know now that Osiris rising from the dead is not represented by such obvious symbolism. Other animals than horses have also been used to draw the currus triumphalis, as, for example, a lion and a leopard.

S. L. MacGregor Mathers's Divinatory Meanings

Upright

Triumph, Victory, Overcoming obstacles

Reversed

Overthrown, Conquered by Obstacles at the last moment.

Papus's Divinatory Meanings

Triumph. Providential Protection