Tarot of the Thousand and One Nights (1001 Nights Tarot)
This tarot deck captures the idealised Eastern world's magic from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, blending traditional archetypes with mystery and romantic allure. It celebrates the legendary Scheherazade and Eastern mysticism.
The Tarot of the Thousand and One Nights", curated by Pietro Alligo and released by Lo Scarabeo in 2005, builds upon the striking work of early-twentieth-century French Orientalist artist Leon Carré. Carré's illustrations for the esteemed book “Thousand and One Nights” also know as "The Arabian Nights", or Alf laylah wa laylah in Arabic illuminate these cards, portraying the magical Eastern world once romanticised by eighteenth-century European nobility.
Inspired by the Near Eastern oral traditions, the cards reflect the legendary stories narrated by Scheherazade, a cunning Persian queen. These narratives, spun out over 1,001 nights, captivated a Persian king, saving her life, and ultimately leading to his love for her. The tales include famous narratives such as Sinbad's voyages, Ali Baba and Aladdin. Translated into English by Richard Francis Burton in the nineteenth century, they became a staple of Victorian society's reading list.
The major arcana of the deck features mythical elements like dragons, winged beings, giant snakes and flying thrones. In contrast, the minor suits (Chalices, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles) display everyday scenes such as landscapes, inns, fishermen and merchant ships.
Interestingly, the depictions of human figures on these cards stand in contrast to the historical Mamluk cards, which did not feature people due to Islamic prohibition on human depictions in artwork.
While the primary attraction of this deck is its striking artwork rather than its divinatory aspect, the reinterpretation of traditional archetypes adds an intriguing depth. The detailed, rich artwork infuses the tarot reader with an essence of Arabian mystery and romantic allure, connecting them with the sensual delights of the Eastern world.
Major Arcana
Minor Arcana: Chalices (Cups)
Minor Arcana: Pentacles
Minor Arcana: Swords
Minor Arcana: Wands
References
By Adam Wintle
Member since March 15, 1997
Adam has been involved in developing the site as well as reviewing new decks and conducting research. He is particularly interested in innovation, Kickstarter and East Asian cards. He is a member of the IPCS and webmaster of the EPCS.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
Tarot for Baby
This board book simplifies tarot archetypes into accessible affirmations for young children.
Animal Tarot by Johann Jobst Forster
French-suited 78-card animal tarot deck of the Bavarian type.
Eves Playing Cards
A pack of cards with colour photos of Indian film stars from the era
Asha Industries’ Castilian pattern
Colourful Spanish (Castilian) pattern cards made by Asha Industries in India for Mexico.
Manara: baraja de poker
Exotic illustrations by Italian comic book artist and writer Milo Manara.
Valhalla spillekort
Characters from the Valhalla comics, designed by Peter Madsen, as commemorated on a Danish stamp.
Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland collector’s edition with illustrations of characters from the film, published by...
Ulysses a Vau-de-Ville
the James Joyce cards with drawings by Rosita Fanto.
Women by Royo
‘Women by Royo’ erotic playing cards published by Heraclio Fournier, Spain, 2001.
Paco Lobo
Highly original and striking designs by Paco Lobo for the fashion house of the same name.
Calon Arang • Калон Аранг - Бали
Calon Arang, a figure from 12th-century Javanese and Balinese folklore known as a witch skilled in b...
Jeu Boléro
Sweeping, semi-abstract designs by J.L. Jolin in red and black only.
The Lovers playing cards
Reproductions of old postcards with romantic messages for Valentine’s Day.
I Gatti Originali di Evelyne Nicod
Etchings of cats on a set of major arcana created by Evelyne Nicod.
Knoll International
Geometric designs by the French artist Jean Garçon for Knoll International, the furniture company.
Marcello Morandini
Modern designs by Italian artist Marcello Morandini using the simplest of forms and colours.
Tarot de Madrid
Black-and-white photographs of models whose faces are made up using elements found on the major arca...
Claude Weisbuch
Free reinterpretation of the traditional Paris pattern courts by the artist Claude Weisbuch.
Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger
Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger, Passau, Bavaria, early 19th century.
El Niño de las Pinturas
Forty-nine distinctive works by Spanish graffiti artist Raúl Ruiz.
Animal Tarot by Joseph Fetscher
French-suited Natural History Tarot deck by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820.
Mythological and Allegorical tarot
Mythological and Allegorical tarot produced by Peter Paul Fetscher junior, Munich.
The Tarot Strikes Back
Roy Huteson Stewart's The Tarot Strikes Back combines Star Wars with Rider-Waite tarot imagery.
Animal Tarot by Andreas Benedict Göbl
French-suited Animal Tarot deck produced by Andreas Benedict Göbl, Munich.
Swiss Scenic Tarock
Scenic Tarock deck produced by Fabrique de Cartes J. Müller & Cie (Schaffhouse), Suisse.
Costumes of Turkey Tarot
‘National Costumes of Turkey’ tarot by Industrie Comptoir, Leipzig, c.1800-1825.
Natural History Tarot
Natural History Tarot published by G M, Germany, early 19th C.
Animal Tarot by J. B Dubois
French-suited Bavarian Animal Tarot by J B Dubois, Liège, Belgium, late 18th C.
Æsop’s Fables tarot
French-suited Æsop’s fables tarot produced by Leipzig Industrie Comptoir, c.1800-1825.
Animal Tarot by J. T Dubois
Early 19th century Animal Tarot pack produced by J T Dubois, Liège, Belgium.
Animal Tarot by G. Larmoyer
Flemish Animal Tarot deck by G. Larmoyer, Liège, 1753.
Albano-Waite® Tarot
Recoloured version of the Rider/Waite/Smith tarot produced by Frankie Albano, 1968.
Morgan-Greer Tarot
Based on the knowledge, wisdom and interpretation of Paul Foster Case and Arthur Edward Waite.
Papyrus Playing Cards
Papyrus playing cards distributed by Egypt Trade, c.1996.
New Palladini Tarot
“The New Palladini Tarot” by David Palladini published by U.S. Games Inc., in 1996.
The Aquarian Tarot Deck
The Aquarian Tarot Deck illustrated by David Palladini, published by Morgan Press, Inc., 1970.
Pendleton playing cards
Pendleton playing cards inspired by indigenous American artwork, USA, 2019.
Âs Nas playing cards with box
Hand made cards from Persia
Linweave Tarot
The Linweave Tarot is actually an elaborate set of paper samples from the Pulp, Paper and Board Divi...
Pomeranian Tarot
A Pomeranian Tarot deck with etchings by Georg Pommer published by Conrad Jegel, 1852.