Tarot most likely originated in northern Italy in the early to mid-15th century, where it began as a playing-card game for the nobility rather than as a divination tool.

Origin story

Early tarot-like decks appeared in Italian courts, including the Visconti- Sforza deck around the 1440s. The cards were initially used for a game often described as a form of “triumph” or trump-based play.

How it changed

Tarot’s mystical meaning came later. In the 18th century, French writers and occultists began linking the cards to esoteric symbolism, and by the late 1700s tarot was being used for divination.

What’s uncertain

There are many popular myths about tarot coming from ancient Egypt, China, or secret traditions, but the historical evidence points most strongly to Europe, especially Italy.

One-line answer

So, the clearest historical answer is: tarot originated as a Renaissance card game in Italy, then evolved into a divination system much later.