Mary Ortega

· 16 Apr 2022

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The origin of the cards or playing cards.

The origin of cards or cards is uncertain, and although there are records of their use in China since the 10th century, the Persians, Arabs and Hindus also claim to be the creators of this game. It was not until the 14th century that they arrived in Europe, introduced by the Arabs, through the Christian kingdoms of Spain, although it is also said that they were brought by the Crusaders and entered through Italy. The first version can be based on the fact that the oldest western deck is called Spanish and that the sticks of the Arab deck were coins, cups, scimitars and sticks, which would later evolve into golds, cups, swords and clubs.

Created in approximately the 15th century, the French deck has been the subject of different studies for its captivating figures. Initially, we could say that the four kings of the deck of cards stand out, since each one represents a historical figure.

King of Spades is King David. He is universally recognized for having been king of Judea and Israel. Much mentioned above all in the biblical passages, and venerated in the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions.

The king of clovers is the mythical Alexander the Great, recognized as the greatest conqueror of antiquity. Born in Macedonia, he was the one who continued the campaign of his father Philip II and would consecrate one of the greatest feats in history by invading Persian territory. With extraordinary speed and at such a young age, Alexander would crush the Persians and control a territory that went from Greece to India.

The King of Diamonds is Julius Caesar. There was a fairly profound debate about whether it was Julius Caesar or the first Roman emperor, Augustus, although sources indicate that reference was actually made to Julius Caesar. Be it because of his status as an outstanding politician, his mastery on the battlefields or because of his dream of consolidating an Empire for Rome.

The King of Hearts is Charlemagne. The famous Frankish monarch, considered by many to be the first great European monarch of the Middle Ages, used to be remarkably magnified in the late Middle Ages and then at the beginning of modernity.

#history