Knights Templar Tarot

Knights Templar Tarot - Rider-Waite structure in medieval imagery

Not every tarot deck needs to stay in the contemporary world. This one takes the Rider-Waite structure and places it in another time: that of the Knights Templar, the medieval order devoted to religious faith, discipline and combat.

The cards are borderless. The images run to the edge, which makes them feel visually larger. Franco Rivolli illustrated them with attention to historical detail: armour, religious robes, the red cross that marked the order. The overall feel is darker and more serious than a classic Rider-Waite deck.

What you see on the cards

The imagery is based on the Rider-Waite tradition, so the main structure is familiar. What differs is the setting. Where a classic deck often shows everyday figures, here you see knights, monks and crusaders. The colours are more muted, the backgrounds evoke castles, chapels and battlefields.

Templar symbolism appears in details: the eight-pointed cross, white mantles with red crosses, architecture that recalls temples and abbeys. The illustrations do not impose themselves, but they are clearly positioned in a different world than most modern tarot cards.

Who this deck is designed for

This deck is designed for those who already have some experience with tarot and are familiar with the Rider-Waite system. The structure is the same, but the imagery asks you to read the card not just for what you see, but also for the historical layer beneath it.

It works well with questions about moral choices, discipline or steadfastness. The energy of the cards is serious. This is not a deck for light, playful readings.

Lay this deck beside a classic Rider-Waite deck and compare the same card. You see immediately how the imagery changes the tone.

About the creators

Floreana Nativo wrote this deck. She previously created the Universal Celtic Tarot and has a solid background in symbolism. Franco Rivolli illustrated. His style is detailed and historically inspired, without feeling like a museum piece.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Size: 70 x 120 mm
• Design: borderless cards
• Material: sturdy cardstock
• Includes: companion booklet with meanings and symbolism
• Language: English
• Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
• Author: Floreana Nativo
• Illustrator: Franco Rivolli

Questions we often get

Do I need to know the history of the Knights Templar to use this deck?
No. The basic structure is Rider-Waite, so you can read the cards according to those meanings. The historical layer adds context, but is not a requirement.

What does it mean that the cards are borderless?
The illustrations run to the edge of the card. There is no white or coloured border around them. This makes the images larger and gives more visual space, especially in spreads where multiple cards lie beside each other.