Inspiration from the past: How artists are inspired by classic tarot cards

Tarot cards have been a popular tool for centuries, offering insights into one's future. But that's not all – artists are constantly inspired by the symbols and motifs of tarot cards to create unique works of art.

What are Tarot cards?

Tarot cards are a fascinating tool for self-discovery and inspiration. They consist of a set of 78 cards, divided into various categories such as Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.

The Major Arcana comprises 22 cards, often referred to as "trump cards," which have a profound symbolic meaning

In the Minor Arcana there are four different suits – Cups, Swords, Wands and Coins – each with ten numbered cards and four court cards.

Tarot cards are more than just a simple card game; they serve as a spiritual oracle , enabling people to gain insight into their lives and answer questions.

There are numerous tarot card sets on the market, including the popular Rider-Waite tarot card edition, which has inspired many artists with its classic design and detailed symbolism.

 

What types of Tarot cards are there?

There are a variety of Tarot cards available in different Tarot decks. Each deck consists of 78 cards, divided into two main groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana comprises 22 cards that represent powerful archetypal symbols. These cards are often considered the core cards of the Tarot deck and carry great significance.

Examples of Major Arcana cards are The Fool, The Lovers, The Magician , and The Devil. The Minor Arcana consists of the remaining 56 cards and is divided into four suits: Cups , Wands , Swords , and Coins (or Pentacles).

Each suit has cards numbered 1 to 10, as well as four court cards: the King, the Queen, the Knight , and the Page. In addition to traditional Tarot decks, there are also many different variations and themes that relate to specific interests or personalities.

For example, there are tarot decks with fairy themes, animal motifs, mythological figures , or even Star Wars characters.

Some tarot decks also use different symbols or names for the Major Arcana cards to reflect different cultural or spiritual traditions. For example, there is the Rider-Waite Tarot, the Thoth Tarot , or the Osho Zen Tarot.

How do tarot cards work?

According to the teachings of spiritualism , tarot cards function because of their ability to connect with our subconscious mind and allow us access to hidden information and deeper levels of our mind.

By combining images, symbols and numbers, tarot cards can stimulate our intuition and help us to better understand our own thoughts, feelings and challenges.

Tarot cards are based on a system of symbols and archetypes that have universal meanings. These symbols and archetypes have long been part of human culture and can be found in many ancient wisdom traditions.

When laying out the cards, we can connect with these universal energies and gain deeper insight into our situation. Tarot cards also serve as a tool for self-discovery and promoting personal growth.

By engaging with the different cards and their meanings, we can reflect on our own thoughts and emotions and gain new perspectives. They help us to get to know ourselves better and to recognize our strengths and weaknesses.

Furthermore, tarot cards can serve as a means of communicating with the subconscious and the spirit. By focusing on the cards and using our intuition, we can gain profound insights and inspiration.

Tarot cards can therefore be used for spiritual guidance and decision-making .

Would you like to try it yourself? But the medieval market isn't currently taking place in your city? No problem. You can get a free tarot card reading with an openly accessible online tool from tarotoo.com .

Ambiguous symbolism as a source of inspiration

The symbols on the cards, such as the Four of Cups or the Coins, are a rich source of inspiration for artists, as they various meanings and interpretations .

By studying and understanding the symbolism of Tarot cards, artists can gain new perspectives and ideas for their own artwork. Tarot cards offer a wide range of possibilities for artists to draw inspiration from classical symbolism.

You can use the colors, patterns, and symbols of the cards in your works to express moods and meanings.

For example, the depiction of chalices, which are often associated with emotions and interpersonal relationships, can create a deep emotional effect in a painting or sculpture project

Artists can also use the narratives and storiesassociated with specific Tarot cards as a starting point for their own artwork. The modern art scene offers numerous opportunities to translate the ancient symbols and interpretations of the Tarot cards into contemporary art.

How artists reinterpret medieval Tarot motifs

Tarot cards by Salvador Dalí for art lovers

Dalí's tarot cards offer a fascinating journey through European art history and the artist's personal world. Some are boldly and roughly drawn, others almost impressionistic with gentle dots along the edges.

There are also cards that show a collage of medieval art and the characteristic butterflies typical of Dalí.

The artist portrayed himself as a "magician," enthroned as a royal ruler with an ocelot on a leash, lost in dreams. In reality, he did own such an exotic pet and once strolled with it through the streets of Paris.

For the depiction of the "Queen of Cups," the artist used Jean Clouet 's 16th-century portrait "Elisabeth of Austria ." However, the queen wears a beard, similar to Marcel Duchamp's version of the Mona Lisa .

The card "Temperance" depicts a naked woman with red cartoon wings. Her appearance is reminiscent of the singer Amanda Lear, who was a close friend of Dalí.

These artistic motifs by the Surrealist are available as a magnificent tarot card box with accompanying booklet.

The Dalí Tarot Box (Taschen Verlag, ISBN 978-3-8365-7612-3) contains a deck of cards and a companion book designed in purple and gold. Each of the 78 tarot cards is individually printed and explained in the book.

"The Visconti Project"

How do 21st-century artists view, for example, the well-known Tarot cards "The Fool", "Death", "The High Priest" or "The Empress"?

The answer was provided by an exhibition held in September 2019 in the Kaiserviertel district of Dortmund at the gallery "G18" .

Within this context, the exhibition “The Visconti Project” presented the innovative interpretation of 23 artists from all over Germany , which was created in a unique project by the Dortmund writer and artist Gabriella Wollenhaupt

These talented artists have managed to present the images of the oldest tarot deck in the world, dating back to 1442, in a completely new way.

The Tarot, which originated in Milan almost 600 years ago for the noble Visconti-Sforza family , has survived to this day almost completely intact. Only a few cards have stood the test of time. Over the centuries, the Tarot has been repeatedly copied and expanded.

It consists of a total of 78 precious and symbolic cards that offer enriching advice for coping with life.

In the gallery “G18”, 38 trump and court cards from a 15th-century deck were presented in a new and unique way. The focus was primarily on the cultural-historical aspect and the contemporary interpretation of the cards' meanings.

Sexy, dark, diverse: feminism and punk rock combine to create the tarot deck of the 21st century

A little over five years ago, a group of curators brought together more than 70 diverse artists to create a contemporary, feminist, and above all, diverse tarot deck . This deck brings the medieval imagery of the classic cards into our modern society.

In an interview with VICE , Ione Gamble , editor-in-chief of Polyester magazine and co-curator of an art exhibition inspired by Tarot, revealed why so many women are interested in alternative forms of spirituality

This includes areas such as the occult, tarot, sex magic, and traditional witchcraft. Our society is inexorably heading towards a neoliberal, late-capitalist orientation, shaped by male influences. Nevertheless, many people, especially women, show a keen interest in spiritual topics, which are usually considered typically feminine.

To provide a platform for this topic, Gamble, in collaboration with her co-curators Liv Thurley, Laurence Philomene from the feminist art collective The Coven and Isabella Podpadex from the British-Icelandic punk-pop band Dream Wife, gathered over 70 talented and emerging artists.

Together they developed a tarot deck for the 21st century, featuring both well-known and unknown artists.

The exhibition “What Does Our Future Hold?” opened in London on January 7, 2016. It featured works by renowned artists and designers such as Maisie Cousins, Hobbes Ginsberg, Clio Peppiatt , and Grace Miceli