This Arabic connection is seen in the opinion that tarot cards were used originally as playing cards by the Mamluks (who are most notable as a dynasty of Muslim rulers in Egypt during the Middle Ages), which then spread to Western Europe.
The origins of this word are unknown, though one speculation is that it derives from the Arabic word taraha, which means “he rejected, put aside”. Tarot is known by various other similar names, including Tarock, Tarokk, Taroky, Taroc, Tarok, Tarocchi. Now, tarot reading is making a comeback as millennials are increasingly turning to cheap psychics in a bid to help them navigate through the pressures of social media and technology. It is one of the oldest forms of fortune telling, although its origins are somewhat obscure, though records suggest they started off as nothing more than game cards. In the English-speaking world, the word ‘tarot’ is most commonly associated with the occult and divination.
