The composition of the Deck
Although the Trionfi –or Triumphs (Major Arcana) - of Tarot number 22, in the Minchiate they are increased to 41 as follows: 21 Triumphs analogous or somewhat similar to the traditional ones (the missing Arcanum is The High Priestess, while some have changed name and iconography), 12 Zodiac Signs, 4 Theological Virtues, and 4 Elements. If we add to these the Minor Arcana, from the Ace to the Ten, and the four court cards for each suit, we reach a sum of 97 cards. Each Major Arcanum of the Minchiate is characterised by the presence of a Roman numeral, with the exception of The Fool and the “Arie” or the five upper Triumphs: the Star, the Moon, the Sun, the World, and the Trumpets, or the Angel (listed in order of power or value in the game).
From an iconographic point of view, the most significant variations consist of the fact that, as has already been mentioned, The High Priestess is missing (having been replaced by Faith, inserted in the group of virtues), while The Empress, The Emperor, and The Hierophant have become respectively the Grand Duke, the Emperor of the West, and the Emperor of the East. Other variations in names and in the traditional sequence can be observed in the list below. It should also be noted how, in the Minor Arcana, the knights are represented by centaurs and monsters, while the Knaves of Chalices and Pentacles are depicted as female personages, called “fantine”.
The Triumphs of the Minchiate
– The Fool
I Juggler (The Magician)
II Grand Duke (The Empress)
III Emperor of the West (The Emperor)
IV Emperor of the East (The Hierophant)
V Lovers
VI Temperance
VII Strength
VIII Justice
IX The Wheel of Fortune
X The Chariot
XI The Hermit
XII The Hanged Man
XIII Death
XIV The Devil
XV House of God (The Tower)
XVI Hope
XVII Prudence
XVIII Faith
XIX Charity
XX Fire
XXI Water
XXII Earth
XXIII Air
XXIV Libra
XXV Virgo
XXVI Scorpio
XXVII Aries
XXVIII Capricorn
XXIX Sagittarius
XXX Cancer
XXXI Pisces
XXXII Aquarius
XXXIII Leo
XXXIV Taurus
XXXV Gemini
(36) The Star
(37) The Moon
(38) The Sun
(39) The World
(40) Trumpets (Angel)