Explained: Tarot reading and Ancient Egypt

‘A tool to explore the ultimate meaning of life and the unanswerable and unfathomable questions about chance and the unknown.’

Tarot cards began as a game for Renaissance elites in northern Italy, but what do they have to do with Ancient Egypt?

In 1781, the pastor Antoine Court de Gébelin incorrectly claimed they originated in Egypt, sparking their reinvention and use in the occult. Tarot became embraced for divination, mystical insight, and symbolic exploration. Play Power assistant curator, Samuele Tacconi, explains the history of tarot.

Exploring the concept of play in human cultures, Play Power reflects on the broader significance of play and how this is integrated into our daily lives. This exhibition forms part of our What is the Meaning of Life? season, which delves into the fundamental questions of human existence, from rulemaking, to time and play.

Niki de Saint Phalle created a tarot garden in Italy, with 22 huge sculptures representing the tarot figures. Shown in this video is the set of cards which she designed that are playable.

Tarot Cards, Niki de Saint Phalle, designed 2002, produced 2015
Niki de Saint Phalle (1930–2002). Published by Acatos & Benteli. Photo: Kate Wolstenholme