What are the graphics and where do they come from?
This is actually an interesting question. There are two types of decks; Marseilles, which only have full graphics on the Major Arcana, and non-Marseilles, which have graphics on all of the cards. You will find that many of today’s non-Marseilles decks are either based upon, or loosely based upon, the RW graphics. These are described as Rider-Waite clones. In no way does this deter from their individuality, or the voice each deck speaks with. What it does is add credence to the fact that most of us use Pamela Coleman-Smith’s graphics from the RW deck as a common language. We build upon that language much as ancient civilizations built upon their symbols. Think of the RW style as our Rosetta Stone. Do not, however, think that all of the standard graphic styles look exactly alike. The differences are a vast and unique as individual snowflakes. The three cards below illustrate different styles of the same card. Notice that they all have a similar foundation, but they tell a slightly differ
