While some have proposed a connection between Buddhist initiation cards (tsakli) and the origins of Tarot,
there is no concrete historical evidence to support this claim.
Here's why:
Tarot's Origin: Tarot cards are widely believed by researchers and scholars to have originated in 15th-century Italy, primarily as a playing card game called Trionfi (triumphs).
Tsakli's Purpose: Tsakli, in contrast, are ritual paintings used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals and initiations, not primarily for games or general divination.
Distinct Development: Tarot cards, with their suit structure and allegorical trumps, developed as a unique European invention within a specific historical and cultural context.
Later Adaptations: While there are modern Tarot decks that incorporate Buddhist imagery or draw parallels to Buddhist concepts (such as the Buddha Tarot), these are much later adaptations and do not suggest an original influence on the development of Tarot itself.
Important Note: The belief that Tarot cards originated from ancient Egyptian sources or other Eastern traditions gained popularity in the 18th century, but this has been largely disproven by modern scholarship.
