Persian Tarot

The Persian Tarot does not originate from a strictly indigenous Iranian divinatory tradition, but from a meeting of Persian art and the structure of Western tarot. The known editions, generally from the 20th century, are inspired by Persian miniatures, the poems of Rumi, Hafez, and Omar Khayyam, as well as Arab-Persian geomancy and astrology. Some creators have integrated references to Sufism, a mystical current of Islam that explores the relationship of the soul to the divine through metaphors — wine, garden, beloved. The result is a deck with a lush and orientalist aesthetic. (Modern editions generally under copyright — images not reproduced here.)

Structured in 78 cards according to Western tradition, it adapts the archetypes to an Iranian visual universe. The majors can represent mythical Persian figures — heroes from the Shahnameh, mystical poets, Sufi symbols. The minors are organized into four suits corresponding to the elements. The reading is done according to usual methods, enriched by Persian metaphors: the rose and the nightingale for love, the mirror for self-knowledge, the journey for spiritual quest.

It brings the sensitivity of a culture that has elevated poetry to the rank of a tool of wisdom. It is suitable for seekers looking for a spiritual and aesthetic dimension. Its Sufi metaphors offer a gentle and profound framework for addressing love, meaning, and destiny. For those who love Persian poetry or Eastern spirituality, it is a divination and meditation tool of rare elegance.