Belgian Tarot

What it is

This entry covers a specific layout for tarot playing cards known as the Belgian Tarot. It belongs to the broader family of trionfi decks that originated in northern Italy during the fifteenth century. The design features unique trump cards that differ from the more famous Tarot of Marseilles. For example, the Popess card shows a Spanish captain instead. The Fool card carries the number XXII, which is unusual for the suit. These visual changes mark it as a distinct branch of the Italian tradition.

Where it comes from

The design emerged between the late seventeenth and late eighteenth centuries. Gérard Bodet of Liège created the earliest version in 1693. Adam C. de Houtot of Rouen later added numbering to the Fool around 1723. The pattern spread to the Austrian Netherlands, likely through Swiss mercenaries who played games like Troggu there. Despite the label Cartes de Suisses on the packaging, no evidence exists that these cards were ever made or used in Switzerland.

How it is done

The cards functioned as a standard pack for gaming rather than divination. Players used the seventy-eight cards, which included twenty-two trump cards. The game involved matching suits and following specific rules common to tarot variants of the era. The visual style relied on woodcut or engraving techniques typical of the period. The designs retained strong Italian influences while incorporating French stylistic details.

Tools and materials

The primary tool is the deck itself, containing seventy-eight cards. The pack includes four suits and twenty-two trump cards. Key images include Bacchus replacing the Pope and Lightning replacing the House of God. The Star depicts a seated astronomer. The Fool is numbered XXII. The packaging often bore the inscription Cartes de Suisses, misleading buyers about the place of manufacture.

What it is for

These cards were designed for entertainment and social gaming. They served as a pastime for households and military garrisons. The name Flemish Tarot arose from a mistaken belief that they came from Flanders. In reality, they were produced in cities like Brussels, Liège, and Dinant. The mislabeling as Swiss cards persisted even after the practice ceased in the early nineteenth century.

Who does it

Cardmakers such as Gérard Bodet and Adam C. de Houtot developed the initial designs. Later producers like F. J. Vandenborre in Brussels continued the pattern into the nineteenth century. Scholars study these decks to trace the migration of card designs across Europe. Researchers note the lack of Swiss involvement despite the persistent naming convention.

Peoples and places

The design originated in Italy and moved northward. It became established in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège and Rouen. The Austrian Netherlands adopted the pattern widely during the eighteenth century. Swiss mercenaries helped popularize the associated games in this region. The misconception that the cards were Swiss remains a notable historical error.

What people believe

No spiritual or magical beliefs are attached to this specific deck. It is treated purely as a gaming artifact. The visual elements reflect secular themes like Bacchus and Spanish captains. The numbering of the Fool suggests a connection to other regional games like Troggu. The design prioritizes aesthetic variation over occult symbolism.

When it is done

The cards were produced continuously from the late seventeenth century onward. There are no specific festivals or seasonal timings linked to their use. They were available for general purchase throughout the year. Advertisements from 1849 show they remained in circulation well into the modern era.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Historians of playing cards document the Belgian Tarot as a distinct variant. Researchers emphasize the false Swiss attribution. Studies by experts like Thierry Depaulis and Michael Dummett clarify the Italian and French roots of the design. They reject the theory that French taxes drove makers to Switzerland, noting that Swiss production had already ceased.

Compare and confuse

The Belgian Tarot differs significantly from the Tarot of Marseilles. While both share Italian origins, the Belgian version features unique trump imagery. The replacement of traditional figures with secular characters sets it apart. The name Flemish Tarot is another common misidentification that confuses its geographic origin.

Questions people ask about Belgian Tarot

Good reading and sources

• Belgian Tarot on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data