The Tarot began in 15th-century northern Italy as trionfi playing cards used in a popular trick-taking game. Early decks already featured four suits and a set of allegorical trump cards depicting figures like Death, Fortune, and the Fool, drawn from medieval religious and moral imagery rather than occult beliefs. In the late 18th century, European occult writers reimagined the Tarot as a symbolic system tied to ancient wisdom, astrology, and spiritual insight. Today, Tarot is widely used as a reflective and interpretive tool, valued for its enduring archetypes and flexible symbolism.