Tarot cards, Hanafuda - I've organized a way to enjoy them lightly, removing the mysticism, so please read comfortably.

What are Tarot Cards?
They are a 'language of images' symbolizing various situations and emotions in life with 78 illustrated cards. It's easy to think of them as a tool for reflecting your situation onto the drawn card and finding your own answers.

A Very Brief History Sketch

• Playing cards for the nobility in Northern Italy in the 15th century
  

• Reinterpreted as divination tools by French astrologers in the 18th century
  

• Popularized worldwide after the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck in the 20th century
  

• Nowadays, hundreds of 'modern decks' reinterpreted by artists are being released.

A Set is Composed Like This

• Major Arcana: 22 cards representing the 'big flows' or key turning points in life.

• Minor Arcana: 56 cards representing everyday events and emotions. 4 suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles) × 14 cards each.

Three Representative Decks

1. Rider-Waite-Smith: The most widely used, making it easy to find interpretation guides.

2. Marseille: Simple European-style illustrations, with number cards featuring only patterns without figures.

3. Thoth: Recommended for those who want to study deeply due to its complex symbols.

First Time Trying a Spread (Card Layout)

• One Card: Draw one card to check your mood today.

• Three Cards: Past-Present-Future / Problem-Cause-Advice, etc., easy to apply.

• Celtic Cross: A classic method that spreads ten cards, but the explanation is long, so beginners should take it slow.

Reading Order Mini Tutorial

1. Clearly define your question – instead of asking 'Will I get a job?', ask something specific like 'What should I focus on in next month's interview?'

2. Shuffle the cards and calm your mind – you don't need deep meditation, just a moment to breathe is enough.

3. Spread the cards and take notes on your first impressions – writing down the colors, objects, and feelings that catch your eye will make interpretation easier.

4. Compare with guides – refer to books or apps, but the key is to connect the meanings to your own experiences for 'self-translation.'

Comparison of Tarot and Hanafuda

Their Origins are Different from the Start

• Tarot Cards
  Playing cards for the nobility in 15th century Italy evolved into divination tools in the hands of French astrologers. They are rich in symbolic systems like Western mythology, alchemy, and Kabbalah.

• Hanafuda Cards
  Hanafuda is the Korean adaptation of the Japanese Hanakufu (花札), used for various purposes including games, gambling, and divination. It became established as a divination tool during the 70s and 80s with the spread of fortune-telling culture. The main themes of the illustrations are traditional folklore and seasonal landscapes, giving it a strong 'Eastern sentiment.'

Card Composition & Reading Methods

• Tarot: A total of 78 cards (22 Major + 56 Minor). There is a clear 'layout method' called spread, allowing you to draw from 1 to over 10 cards depending on the nature of the question. Each card often has separate meanings for upright and reversed positions.

• Hanafuda: Usually uses all 48 cards (12 months × 4 cards), but the rules vary by fortune-telling place. Cards are shuffled, and about 7 to 10 cards are drawn, or cards are stacked face down and turned over one by one to see the flow. The combinations of 'pair cards (P, D, G)' are used to read fortunes.

Depth of Symbol Interpretation

• Tarot has detailed image symbols that can be applied to psychological counseling. Colors, numbers, and the posture of figures all provide hints.

• Hanafuda tends to provide clear points that quickly determine good or bad fortunes based on card combinations. For example, if the March red card and the August red card appear together, it indicates a 'good relationship.' However, it is also common to mix interpretations with other Eastern divination methods like Four Pillars and Six Lines.

Atmosphere and Accessibility

• Tarot: It can be enjoyed globally through cafes, online apps, and YouTube live streams, making it highly accessible. The art styles vary greatly, adding to the fun for 'collectors.'

• Hanafuda: In Korea, it has a strong image of a game played during the Lunar New Year as a child, making it familiar, but actual places that read Hanafuda are mainly fortune-telling shops and shamans, so it has a somewhat 'in-person visit' culture.