Smith Waite Centennial Deck
This faithful reproduction of the original Rider-Waite Tarot deck -- illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith in 1909 -- features the traditional Rider-Waite artwork in the original colors chosen by Smith. Learn More
![Smith Waite Centennial](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/decks/deck-image/smith-waite.jpg)
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Smith Waite Centennial Tarot Deck
Major Arcana
![The Fool Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/0.jpg)
The Fool
![The Magician Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/1.jpg)
The Magician
![The High Priestess Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/2.jpg)
The High Priestess
![The Empress Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/3.jpg)
The Empress
![The Emperor Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/4.jpg)
The Emperor
![The Hierophant Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/5.jpg)
The Hierophant
![The Lovers Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/6.jpg)
The Lovers
![The Chariot Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/7.jpg)
The Chariot
![Strength Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/8.jpg)
Strength
![The Hermit Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/9.jpg)
The Hermit
![Wheel of Fortune Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/10.jpg)
Wheel of Fortune
![Justice Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/11.jpg)
Justice
![The Hanged Man Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/12.jpg)
The Hanged Man
![Death Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/13.jpg)
Death
![Temperance Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/14.jpg)
Temperance
![The Devil Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/15.jpg)
The Devil
![The Tower Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/16.jpg)
The Tower
![The Star Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/17.jpg)
The Star
![The Moon Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/18.jpg)
The Moon
![The Sun Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/19.jpg)
The Sun
![Judgement Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/20.jpg)
Judgement
![The World Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/21.jpg)
The World
The Wands
![Ace of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/22.jpg)
Ace of Wands
![Two of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/23.jpg)
Two of Wands
![Three of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/24.jpg)
Three of Wands
![Four of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/25.jpg)
Four of Wands
![Five of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/26.jpg)
Five of Wands
![Six of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/27.jpg)
Six of Wands
![Seven of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/28.jpg)
Seven of Wands
![Eight of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/29.jpg)
Eight of Wands
![Nine of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/30.jpg)
Nine of Wands
![Ten of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/31.jpg)
Ten of Wands
![Page of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/32.jpg)
Page of Wands
![Knight of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/33.jpg)
Knight of Wands
![Queen of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/34.jpg)
Queen of Wands
![King of Wands Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/35.jpg)
King of Wands
The Cups
![Ace of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/36.jpg)
Ace of Cups
![Two of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/37.jpg)
Two of Cups
![Three of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/38.jpg)
Three of Cups
![Four of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/39.jpg)
Four of Cups
![Five of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/40.jpg)
Five of Cups
![Six of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/41.jpg)
Six of Cups
![Seven of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/42.jpg)
Seven of Cups
![Eight of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/43.jpg)
Eight of Cups
![Nine of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/44.jpg)
Nine of Cups
![Ten of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/45.jpg)
Ten of Cups
![Page of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/46.jpg)
Page of Cups
![Knight of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/47.jpg)
Knight of Cups
![Queen of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/48.jpg)
Queen of Cups
![King of Cups Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/49.jpg)
King of Cups
The Swords
![Ace of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/50.jpg)
Ace of Swords
![Two of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/51.jpg)
Two of Swords
![Three of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/52.jpg)
Three of Swords
![Four of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/53.jpg)
Four of Swords
![Five of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/54.jpg)
Five of Swords
![Six of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/55.jpg)
Six of Swords
![Seven of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/56.jpg)
Seven of Swords
![Eight of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/57.jpg)
Eight of Swords
![Nine of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/58.jpg)
Nine of Swords
![Ten of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/59.jpg)
Ten of Swords
![Page of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/60.jpg)
Page of Swords
![Knight of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/61.jpg)
Knight of Swords
![Queen of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/62.jpg)
Queen of Swords
![King of Swords Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/63.jpg)
King of Swords
The Coins
![Ace of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/64.jpg)
Ace of Coins
![Two of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/65.jpg)
Two of Coins
![Three of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/66.jpg)
Three of Coins
![Four of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/67.jpg)
Four of Coins
![Five of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/68.jpg)
Five of Coins
![Six of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/69.jpg)
Six of Coins
![Seven of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/70.jpg)
Seven of Coins
![Eight of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/71.jpg)
Eight of Coins
![Nine of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/72.jpg)
Nine of Coins
![Ten of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/73.jpg)
Ten of Coins
![Page of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/74.jpg)
Page of Coins
![Knight of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/75.jpg)
Knight of Coins
![Queen of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/76.jpg)
Queen of Coins
![King of Coins Tarot card in Smith Waite Centennial deck](https://gfx.tarot.com/images/site/decks/smith-waite/mid_size/77.jpg)
King of Coins
About the Smith Waite Centennial Deck
Dr. Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942) was a genuine scholar of occultism whose published works include The Holy Kabbalah and The Key to the Tarot first issued in England in 1910. Waite utilized symbolism as the key to the Tarot pack. In The Key to the Tarot he writes: “The true Tarot is symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs.” What are the Tarot cards about which Waite so skillfully writes? What is the message of each card and when and where did these fascinating cardboard symbols first originate?
Mercury, said to be one of the early Kings and the inventor of the hieroglyphic system. Gebelin asserts that it is from the Egyptians and Gypsies that Tarot cards were dispersed throughout Europe. The emergence of Tarot cards in Europe predates by over five centuries the work of Waite. A German monk, Johannes, describes a game called Ludas Cartarum played in the year 1377. Covelluzzo, a fifteenth-century chronicler, relates the introduction into Viterbo of the game of cards in the year 1379. It is generally accepted that playing cards emerged in Europe in the latter half of the fourteenth century, probably first in Italy as a complete 78-card deck. Or perhaps some inventive genius subsequently combined the common 56 cards known as the Minor Arcana with the 22 esoteric and emblematic Tarot cards known as the Major Arcana to form the 78-card pack.
Today, Tarot fortune-telling readings generally take into account not only the individual divinatory meaning of a card but also the proximity between two or more cards and whether the card is upright or reversed (which weakens, delays and even reverses the meaning). The brief descriptive title on each of the 22 Major Arcana cards serves as a catalyst toward a broader and deeper meaning, which the diviner seeks to express.
The 56 Lesser Arcana cards contain four suits including the usual court cards; King, Queen, Jack (Valet, Page) plus a fourth card, the Cavalier (Knight, Knave), which is placed between the Queen and the Jack. The suits are generally Swords (Spades), Batons or Wands (Clubs), Cups (Hearts), and Coins or Pentacles (Diamonds). Suit origins are believed to represent the four estates of life during medieval times: nobility or persons who held their rank by military service were symbolized by swords; peasants or working-class people by clubs; clergymen and statesmen by cups; and tradesmen and the industrial class by coins.
Today’s ordinary decks of playing cards seemingly descend from the medieval Tarot decks. As card playing increased in popularity, the Major Arcana cards were dropped (except for The Fool which was retained as the Joker) and the Cavalier and Page were combined into today’s Jack, thus giving us the standard deck of 52 cards plus Joker.
One of the fascinating aspects about Tarot cards is their personal affect upon the individual who uses them. Waite successfully presents a new dimension to their meaning in The Key to the Tarot. Any Tarot reader, be they a serious scholar or a person dabbling in the occult, will benefit from Waite’s insight and keen perception.