alwhitaker11 asked this question on 12/5/1999:

where do playing cards come from? i heard they are a mockery of relegion. thanks,al

bruno13069 gave this response on 12/10/1999:

One legend states that modern playing cards have evolved from the ancient Tarot. The four suits of Clubs, Hearts, Spades, and Diamonds correspond to the Tarot suits of Staves, Cups, Swords and Pentacles which symbolize the four classes of society -- The Common Folk, the Priests, the Militia, and the Merchants. The Tarot has four 'court cards'. The King and Queen have come to us unchanged, but the Page and Knight have joined to make the Jack. Lastly, the Joker is a modern form of the Fool, the only card to survive out of the Major Arcana, or Trumps suit in the Tarot. In My Humble Opinion, the Tarot is a tool just like any other. It's what you do with it that counts. All My Best, Bruno.