What is the origin of the word:............TAROT ? In any language.?

Answer 1

While the exact sources of tarot are not completely known, the earliest reliable information suggests tarot originated as a game in 15th century Italy by adding to a normal deck of cards 21 trump cards, a fool, and 4 queens of each suit. Some early tarot decks of north Italian origin, which date to the early to mid-15th century, have remained. These were called carte da trionfi or "cards of the triumphs". Soon afterwards, the cards came to be known as tarocchi.

However, there are other theories. They range from old Egyptian origin to a cardmaker from the French village Taraux who may have produced the original Tarot cards. The true remains an enigma.

Further suggestions:


Torah (Hebrew), "The Law - Law Giver"
Thoth Egyptian god
Tarosh (Egyptian), "The royal way"
Torah -Torus in Sacred Geometry
Taurus Astrology
Rota (Latin), "Wheel" - Wheel of karma - Wheels Within Wheels
Taro River in Northern Italy
Taru (Hindu), "Cards"
Troa (Hebrew), "Gate"
Tares, meaning the dot border on old cards
Tarotee, meaning a pattern on the backs

Answer 2

This is what Wikipedia has to say about the origin of the word Tarot or Tarocchi: "Various contradicting suggestions [have] been made in the past to explain the original meaning of the word "Tarot". They range from "old Egyptian origin" till the more profane "a cardmaker from the French village Taraux produced Tarot cards".

catintrepid is right to cite the Italian word tarroco, this is the singular of tarrocchi, but it does seem that the French form of the word is older.

Answer 3

Psychic is derived from the Greek word "Psyche" which means "Soul".
The word horoscope comes from the Greek word "horoskopos" meaning literally "hour watcher".
The word Astrology is derived from two Greek words, "Astra" & "Logos", and literally means "the free logic and reasoning of Stars & Planets".
You get the picture. I'm not sure exactly what Tarot translates into though.

Answer 4

It's from the Italian "tarocco", an old card game played with the same cards as the fortunetelling deck