Deck traditions
Tarot traditions explained
"Tarot" isn't one fixed deck — it's a family of related systems that genuinely differ in imagery and, sometimes, in meaning. TarotCards24 is built on Rider-Waite-Smith, the most widely used tradition and the best starting point for beginners.
Rider-Waite-Smith
The most widely used tarot deck, illustrated in 1909 — the tradition this site is built on.
Tarot de Marseille
An older French tradition where the Minor Arcana show patterned suit symbols rather than illustrated scenes.
Thoth Tarot
A 20th-century system layering in astrology and Kabbalah, created by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between tarot and Lenormand cards?
They are different systems entirely, not different tarot styles. Tarot has 78 cards with the Major/Minor Arcana structure; Lenormand is a separate 36-card system with its own symbols and reading method. This site currently covers tarot only.