The Land of Stories Tarot

The Land of Stories Tarot - fairy tales and fables as a bridge to tarot

The idea behind these cards is straightforward: if you already know the stories, you learn the cards faster. The Land of Stories Tarot connects all 78 cards to fairy tales, fables and myths that most people encountered somewhere along the way. Not as decoration, but as a way into the meaning.

The cards were created by a team of four illustrators working under the Vermilion Collection label: Ling Zhong, Sha 'Lisa' Li, Mimico and Ting Yang. Li previously contributed to the Vermilion deck Phantasm of Life and is known for a style that makes layered symbolism accessible without flattening it.

What you see on the cards

Each of the 22 Major Arcana cards is tied to one specific story. Western classics like Alice in Wonderland and The Little Mermaid sit alongside Eastern legends such as Tamamo-no-Mae and the Legend of the White Snake. The visual language shifts depending on the story, but the underlying tarot symbolism stays consistent throughout.

The Minor Arcana uses imaginative brushwork that recalls picture-book illustration. Despite the illustrative style, the Rider-Waite-Smith structure remains intact. Anyone familiar with traditional tarot will recognise the cards immediately. The full English card name appears at the bottom of each card, clearly printed.

The card backs have a symmetrical pattern, so the orientation is not visible before you turn them over. This makes the cards usable for reversed readings.

How they feel in the hand

The cards are printed on 350 gsm coated card stock with an embossing finish. That texture is noticeable to the touch, and reviewers consistently mention the durability as a standout quality. The 66 x 120 mm size is slightly narrower than standard, which makes shuffling and holding easier, particularly for smaller hands.

The packaging is a two-part rigid box with thumb notches, decorated with gold foil and embossed detailing. It holds up well over time.

The guidebook

The included guidebook covers two things for each card: the traditional tarot meaning and a short explanation of the fairy tale or fable shown on the illustration. That pairing is exactly what this deck needs. Without the story context, the connection between image and meaning would be left half-finished.

If you know the story on the card you draw, you already have a way into its meaning. That makes these cards well-suited for people who learn better through association than through memorising keyword lists.

About the creators

The Land of Stories Tarot is a collaborative project within the Vermilion Collection. The four names behind the design are Ling Zhong, Sha 'Lisa' Li, Mimico and Ting Yang. Sha 'Lisa' Li also worked on the Vermilion deck Phantasm of Life and brings a recognisable approach: dreamy in atmosphere, layered in symbolism, but always clear in what is depicted.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Language: English
• Card size: 66 x 120 mm
• Card stock: 350 gsm coated
• Finish: embossing
• Packaging: two-part rigid box with thumb notches, gold foil and embossed detailing
• Illustrators: Ling Zhong, Sha 'Lisa' Li, Mimico, Ting Yang
• Publisher: Vermilion Collection
• Symbolism: based on Rider-Waite-Smith

Questions we often get

Is this deck designed for beginners?
Yes. The connection to familiar stories is specifically intended to make tarot meanings easier to remember. The guidebook explains both the tarot meaning and the source story for each card, so you are not left piecing things together on your own.

Can these cards be used for reversed readings?
Yes. The card backs have a symmetrical design, which means the orientation is not visible before you flip the card. If you work with reversals, these cards support that without any adjustment.