Overview

Winner of the 2020 Best Indie Book Awards! Origins of the Minor Arcana, the first volume in the Learn Authentic Tarot series, presents the true story behind the ancestry of the Tarot's much-neglected Minor Arcana, which is to be found in the symbolism, culture, and gaming traditions of Asia and the Middle East. In doing so, it abolishes the numerous occult myths surrounding the Tarot that have been promulgated from the late 18th century right up to the present day. Origins of the Minor Arcana provides a new foundation by which to understand the development of the Tarot, one grounded in historical scholarship and careful research.Set against the backdrop of humankind as Homo symbolicus (symbolic man) and Homo ludens (playful man), this volume illustrates how the gradual evolution of symbolic expression, together with the integral nature of play in human culture, ultimately led to the invention of playing cards and their transmission across the Eurasian landscape and into Europe. These early ancestors served as the foundation for the creation of all European playing cards, including the Tarot, and are the source of its four-suit system.Lavishly illustrated and beautifully presented, this volume contains a sizable collection of stunning color photos, including a full presentation of the Tarot's direct ancestors: the Chinese Money cards and the Mamluk deck. Heavily researched, but eminently readable, this scholarly account of the Tarot's Minor Arcana is the definitive work on the early, formative history of the Tarot.

Full Product Details

9781648713484

Table of Contents

Reviews

It is rare that I find a book on Tarot that teaches me something new about the cards. Origins of the Minor Arcana is one of those books. I have not read such a well-researched and thorough explanation behind the origin of cards in China, how they were reinterpreted in Persia, and then again in Egypt. A thoroughly enjoyable read. - Robert Place, creator of the Alchemical Tarot and author of The Tarot, History, Symbolism, and Divination. The chief merit of Hoshour's book is to provide, in concise and vividly-illustrated chapters, the intersection of the Tarot with the history of playing cards. What makes this book indispensable to the expert as well as the beginner, is its centerpiece: the most detailed and thorough discussion of the famous Mamluk cards currently available. All of it is, of course, superbly illustrated with photographs of the original cards as well as the recent luxuriantly recreated version of Ulrich Kaltenborn. An indispensable guide to the early history of the Tarot. - Ross Caldwell, author of Explaining the Tarot: Two Italian Renaissance Essays on the Meaning of the Tarot Pack and the Tractatus de deificatione sexdecim heroum of Marziano da Tortona Tarot history books don't come along very often that are beautifully illustrated, exciting to read and stuffed to the gills with fascinating facts. This book fits all those criteria as it dives deeply into a neglected aspect of playing card history. In this book, the pip cards are given their due. This very readable book is meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated. The images of historic games and fragments of little-known decks are a delight. Numerous maps, graphs and timelines put everything in context. This book leaves me in awe of Tarot's deep roots in the past. - Sherryl Smith, Curator of the Tarot Heritage blog

Author Information

Ben Hoshour is a Tarot scholar and historian, living in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Jade. He is a member of the International Playing Card Society, a contributing author to the Playing Card, and the creator of the Learn Authentic Tarot series.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available