A More Detailed Look at the Major Arcana

Below is a more detailed comparison of the 1909 Waite-Smith Tarot with the much older Marseille Trumps.   Click on images to enlarge them in a new window.  Scroll down to the very bottom to see a two column textual comparison of the names and positions of each trump in each deck.

0  The Fool  [unnumbered] LE MAT [Sometimes used in position 21 or 22]

 

 

 

 

I. The Magician   I. LE BATELEUR (The  Juggler/Street Performer)

 

 

 

 

II. The High Priestess   II. LA PAPESSE (The Popess)


 

 

 

III. The Empress   III. L’IMERATRICE

 

 

 

 

IV. The Emperor   IIII. L’EMPEREUR
The Marseille Trumps use “long-form” Roman Numerals
e.g. “IIII” instead of “IV”

 

 

 

V. The Hierophant   V. LE PAPE.  (The Pope)

 

 

 

 

VI. The Lovers    VI. L’AMOUREUX (The Lover)

 

 

 

 

VII. The Chariot    VII. LE CHARIOT

 

 

 

 

VIII. Strength    VIII. LA JUSTICE (Justice)
The Waite Smith Tarot reverses Justice and Strength…

 

 

 

 

IX. The Hermit    VIIII. L’HERMITE

 

 

 

 

X. Wheel of Fortune   X LA ROUE DE FORTUNE

 

 

 

 

XI. Justice    XI. LA FORCE (Strength)
The Waite Smith Tarot reverses Justice and Strength…

 

 

 

 

XII. The Hanged Man   XII. LE PENDU

 

 

 

 

XIII. Death    XIII. [unnamed]

 

 

 

 

XIV. Temperance   XIIII. TEMPERANCE

 

 

 

 

XV. The Devil    XV. LE DIABLE

 

 

 

 

XVI. The Tower (of Destruction)  XVI. LA MAISON DIEU (The House of God)

 

 

 

 

XVII. The Star    XVII. LE TOILLE

 

 

 

 

XVIII. The Moon    XVIII. LA LUNE

 

 

 

 

XIX. The Sun    XVIIII. LE SOLEIL

 

 

 

 

XX. Judgement    XX. LE JUGEMENT

 

 

 

 

XXI. The World    XXI. LE MONDE    [sometimes used in position 22]

 

 

 

 

Comparing the Minor Arcana: 

Comparing the Major Arcana/Trumps 

–> Next Up:  Aesthetic Roots and Resemblances Prior to 1770