The Origin Of Playing Cards

Playing cards have long been entertaining people from all walks of life, whether a member of a royal entourage or just a plain ordinary citizen.

The origin of playing cards is obscure, but it is reasonably certain that they were first used in Asia or Egypt, possibly before A.D. 1000. Most authorities believe that cards gradually evolved from and eventually took the place of arrows and other objects that were used in ancient times for games and fortune telling. The earliest reference to them is in a Chinese dictionary of 1678 which stated that they had been invented for the amusement of the emperor's concubines in 1120. Later authorities cite questionable sources that refer to cards in use before 1000. Playing cards appeared in southern and eastern Europe in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, although by whom they were used and how is not definitely known.

It is believed that the Crusaders brought playing cards to Europe from the Near East; it seems likely that the Moors introduced cards to Spain; roaming bands of gypsies are thought to have carried cards into Eastern Europe. At that period cards were used for fortune-telling and for religious and pseudo-religious purposes as well as for games. Although cards were evident in Italy, France, Spain, and Germany before the end of the 14th century, they were difficult to produce and were, therefore, relatively rare.

After the invention and development of printing, cards were produced at a greatly increased rate, and their use became widespread by the end of the fifteenth century; Columbus, in his chronicles, mentioned that cards were used during his voyage of discovery in 1492, and after 1500 cards were found in almost every country in Europe. Cards were brought to North and South America by explorers and settlers. By the middle of the 18th century card games were so popular that Edmond Hoyle produced a book in England containing descriptions and rules of almost all known card games. The book was so widely read that the expression "according to Hoyle" came to mean "following the correct procedure."

The general appearance of cards has not changed radically since the 16th century, although many refinements have been incorporated. Back designs are relatively new and the double-face, which can be read from either end, is less than a century old. The numerals and symbols which appear in two corners for quick identification were placed there late in the 19th century. The essential characteristics of cards, however, changed little.

At present, playing cards still bring fun to parties and gatherings and acquiring them is not a problem. There are online dealers of bridge sets playing cards. These bridge sets can also be used for other types of games.

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