The Most Interesting Playing Cards In The World

Where Were Playing Cards Invented?

The history of where playing cards originated from is still a controversial topic today, remaining a subject of debate among scholars. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been any consensus as most theories still depend on speculations rather than facts.

There is clear historical proof that playing cards started to appear in Europe in the late 1300s and 1400s, though we do not know how they got there or from where. While some say they came in from somewhere around the east through ancient merchants, travellers or crusaders; a majority maintain that playing cards originated from either Persia or China during the Tang dynasty around the 9th century AD (but with no authentic historical evidence).

In China

Playing cards were invented around the 9th century AD. The history from China states that playing cards started in the form of leaves. This Chinese game was called Yezi Ge which translates to the game of leaves. Leaves are believed to be the oldest form of cards and explains to a large extent why China has been repeatedly designated as the origin of playing cards.

A recent study (2009) however, shows that there is no clear record that the leaves actually corresponded to the playing card pieces. The study went further to suggest that the leaves may actually have been pages of the game instruction book. Regardless, the game of leaves is the earliest record of a game that mirrors the game of cards.

In Egypt

Playing cards are said to have come into Egypt around the 11th century. Although some argue that playing cards entered China from the Mamluk empire of Egypt, thus making Egypt the first origin. The Mameluke suits were goblets, gold coins, swords and polo-sticks.

In Europe

Playing cards started in the 1370s possibly in Italy or Spain through imports or belongings of traders from the Islamic Mamluk dynasty centred in Egypt. The first playing cards in European Italy were hand-painted and beautiful luxury items found only among the nobilities.

While it isn’t totally clear, the best guesses conclude that the earliest playing cards originated from China, however their final form is a result of centuries of global use and evolution.

Sources:

Playingcarddecks.com

https://playingcarddecks.com/

https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-2647,00.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_card

https://www.britannica.com/topic/playing-card

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/83931/history-playing-cards-evolution-modern-deck

VIEW OUR PRODUCTS