Medieval Tarot Deck - chivalry and spirituality in manuscript style
This deck looks like it came from a medieval library. Not as a fantasy interpretation, but as a carefully reconstructed aesthetic based on illuminated manuscripts from the 13th to 15th centuries.
Giordano Berti, Italian tarot historian, worked with artist Guido Zibordi Marchesi to create a deck that respects the visual language of that era. No modern additions, no simplification. Clear colours, fine lines and symbols that fit the age of chivalry and the spiritual traditions of the time.
What you see on the cards
The illustrations are colourful and detailed. Clothing, buildings, objects: everything is drawn with attention to historical reality. Knights wear armour as it really looked. Architecture shows arches, towers and gates from that period.
Symbolism revolves around courage, honour, spiritual quest and fate. Where modern decks sometimes translate that into contemporary context, this deck keeps the original layer intact. The small details in backgrounds and border decorations often carry extra meaning, as was the case in manuscripts.
The cards are 66 x 120 mm, printed on sturdy cardstock with a smooth finish. They shuffle easily and hold their shape with regular use.
Who this deck works for
The historical symbolism asks more of you than a standard Rider-Waite-Smith. You do not need to be a medievalist, but some tarot experience helps. Or an interest in history. The images speak, but they do ask you to pause and look closely.
The deck lends itself to quiet, reflective readings about inner processes and life questions. No quick answers, but depth.
With each card, look also at the background and border details. Marchesi has hidden symbols there that strengthen or nuance the meaning.
About Giordano Berti and Guido Zibordi Marchesi
Giordano Berti is one of the best-known tarot historians in Italy. He has written dozens of books on the history and symbolism of tarot and has contributed to various decks for Lo Scarabeo.
Guido Zibordi Marchesi is an Italian artist with a meticulous drawing style. His work for this deck shows his ability to transform historical sources into accessible yet accurate visual language.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
- Card size: 66 x 120 mm
- Material: Sturdy cardstock with smooth finish
- Guidebook language: Multilingual (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian)
- Weight: 250 grams
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Author: Giordano Berti
- Illustrator: Guido Zibordi Marchesi
Questions we often get
How does this deck differ from a standard tarot deck?
The structure is classic: 22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana. The difference lies in the visual language. Where modern decks often use contemporary symbols, this deck stays true to medieval iconography. That makes the cards richer in detail, but also more complex in interpretation.
Is the guidebook usable if you do not speak English?
Yes. The guidebook is multilingual and also includes German, French, Spanish and Italian. The texts are concise but provide enough guidance for basic meanings.
