Animal Tarot

What it is

Animal Tarot describes a specific style of playing cards that emerged in the eighteenth century. These decks belong to the French-suited tarot family but diverge from Italian designs by using animals for their trump cards. Instead of traditional figures like the Emperor or the Pope, players find wolves, birds, and mythological hybrids. This shift created a distinct visual language for card games in northern Europe. The most famous surviving version is the Adler Cego deck, which continues to be used in regional games today.

Where it comes from

The tradition began around 1740 in Strasbourg, utilizing face cards from the Lyonnais pattern. Production quickly expanded to Germany, Belgium, and Sweden. Earlier hunting decks from the fifteenth century featured wildlife, but these were not true tarots. The first trionfi included bird images within suits rather than as trumps. The animal theme likely gained traction as tarot popularity declined in Italy and France, allowing the new style to flourish in the Holy Roman Empire and Scandinavia.

How it is done

Players use these decks for trick-taking games common in southern Germany and Austria. The Adler Cego pack contains fifty-four cards, including twenty-two trumps. Trump one features a character based on Hans Wurst, while trump two shows mythological hybrids. Cards three through twenty-one depict real animals. The highest trump, called the Stieß, shows a gleeman. Games are played socially in households, following rules specific to regions like the Black Forest.

Tools and materials

The primary tool is the deck itself, distinguished by its unique artwork. Early versions used Lyonnais face cards, while later designs incorporated Bavarian Paris patterns. The Adler Cego deck features an eagle crest on the Queen of Diamonds, though no eagles appear in the animal trumps. Cards display ranks in Arabic numerals, except for the highest trump which lacks pink panels. The design includes reversible courts in some variations, allowing cards to be read from either end.

What it is for

These cards serve as entertainment for social gatherings and family play. They are not used for divination or spiritual purposes. The animal imagery provides a thematic variation on standard tarot structures, making the games visually engaging. The decks facilitate regional bonding through shared cultural practices in areas like Baden and Alsace.

Who does it

The games are played by ordinary people in household settings. No specialized training or priestly role is required. Card makers in cities like Brussels, Munich, and Frankfurt produced the decks. Families passed down knowledge of the rules through generations. In modern times, manufacturers like ASS Altenburger continue production, ensuring the tradition remains accessible to local communities.

Peoples and places

The tradition is strongest in Germany, particularly in the southwest. It also appears in Belgium, where early designs influenced other European makers. Austrian and Russian versions existed but are less prominent today. Danish productions ceased in the nineteenth century. The Belgian variant featured unique court cards with cloaks and exposed shins. German makers often copied motifs from generic sets, leading to varied orders of animal trumps across different regions.

What people believe

There is no religious or supernatural belief attached to these cards. They are secular objects designed for leisure. The animal themes reflect cultural interest in nature and folklore but do not invoke spirits. Scholars view them as examples of artistic evolution in printing. The shift from human to animal figures represents a stylistic choice rather than a spiritual one. The games operate within the realm of recreational pastime.

When it is done

Games are played during social gatherings without fixed calendar dates. Occasions vary based on family traditions and local customs. There are no specific festivals tied to the decks. Play occurs whenever groups wish to engage in card games. The timing is flexible, depending on the availability of players and the desire for entertainment.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Historians trace the lineage of these decks through surviving examples and printed records. Experts note the transition from Italian to French-suited designs. Researchers highlight the influence of Strasbourg makers on northern European production. Studies compare the animal trumps to earlier hunting decks. Scholars identify specific patterns like the Bavarian and Belgian variants. Documentation exists in trade announcements and manufacturer catalogs from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Compare and confuse

Animal Tarot differs from Italian tarot by replacing human figures with animals. The Adler Cego deck is related to the Bourgeois Tarot, another pattern used in Cego games. Both share French suits but differ in trump imagery. Other European tarots retained traditional scenes, while animal decks offered a unique alternative.

Questions people ask about Animal Tarot

Good reading and sources

• Animal Tarot on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data