Some scholars put the beginning of Tarot at least 500 years ago and some find evidence of cards used as early as the 13 th century. Where they originated is also a mystery. The first decks recorded turned up in Europe in the 1500's.
Scholars differ in their ideas of where they came from before that.
Some say they originated in India and entered Europe via the Gypsies. Some say they were invented in Europe and some say they came from Egypt. There was a resurgence in interest in Tarot in the 19 th century and it has been getting more popular ever since. For a more in-depth article on the history of Tarot, visit Origins of Tarot . The decks designed in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries derived their artistic and symbolic inspiration from the Kabballah, Egyptian mysteries and Hermetic philosophy.