Customer Reviews

The Chinese Tarot Deck

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is probably the most beautiful tarot in my collection. Jiu's expert implementation of flowing vibrant colors, fine lines and subtle shading resulted in 78 breathtaking mini-paintings. His women are exquisitely fine-boned and willowy, the men debonair and gallant, and the sceneries ---- absolutely evocative. If you gaze at these beautifully scenic cards long enough, you'll want to leap into them and be part of the action!

The down-side is that 75% of these 78 cards do not conform with their traditional Tarot assignations. The worst culprits are the pips - total chaos... It seemed Stuart Kaplan forgot to give Jiu basic lessons on Tarot symbology (or a reference Rider-Waite deck) when he commissioned him. However, the alluring nature of the artwork is such that it has you thinking that you underpaid when you bought this "tarot" deck!

You will learn Chinese history will these cards too. It explains what each card is. Who the person on each card is, what is important with the person ect. The artwork is outstanding... if you like the Asian style... you'll love these cards.

I collect Tarot cards as art, and this is the most lyrically beautiful deck I have ever seen. Guoliang's renditions of Tarot symbolism in Chinese traditional style literally brought tears to my eyes. I have them framed and on my library wall. I would recommend this deck as a visual feast if nothing more.

I purchased this deck when it was published many years ago and have used it ever since. This is often the most misunderstood of all decks. The divinatory meanings are all intact. I use it for my friends who are familiar with this mythology and like a more gentler presentation of the traditional meanings. This doesnt mean that they are toned down by any means.

The illustrations are soft and precise. The colors are subtle yet striking when need be. The artist is undoubtedly trained in this style that I have always admired! The symbols change a bit here; the bat=romantic love, Temperance is a meditating nun. The Devil is given a Buddist interpretation with a bull and horse holding chains. Truely a warning to be kind to animals.

I only regret tossing aside my LWB years ago. It contains much information regarding the Chinese mythology presented here . I hopefully committed most of it to memory. The style and essence is definitely Chinese in essence, incorporating Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism as well as spirit worship. This is all done with a skillfull touch.

As for the cards themselves, they are smaller than average making it easy to shuffle and lay out in readings. The backs are very beautiful in red and gold with luck goddesses dancing on them. I have used mine so often, the gold has begun to wear away. Maybe it is time to get another deck.

This is a very beautiful deck. The only reason why I didn't rate it more as I would like to see a larger book with more information available on each card.

The pictures in this tarot deck are very artistic. Most of all tarotdecks are, but this one is also very rare because it's no longer manufactured. Since it is so rare it's quite expensive too, so you may see it as an investment. I don't know so much about the Chinese Tarot Deck specific but besides it's as any tarot deck I presume.

These are great cards, nice artwork & a good size. I am very glad I got them!

The Chinese Tarot deck is simply an amazing deck. Not only beautiful, but chock full of subtle imagery that can easily lead the intuition to piercing insight. It is true that the images do not conform to classical western images of the tarot. And yet each card still leads the intuition to the same place but looking at the issue from a different angle. One of the things to consider is that this deck and each of it's cards seems to approach the classical concepts of the tarot from the other side of the world; a very Chinese oriented world view and take on each card is presented. In some cases the cards show images of Chinese archetypal heroes and gods/goddesses, in other cases they conjure images from their very unconscious. As scenes unfold they evoke scenes from the world of wujia, classic Chinese literature and religious iconography. I think it does take a student of Chinese culture or one born to it to come to interpretations that align with the classic tarot, but without any stretch at all I have come to new angles of those classic interpretations consistently, not only arriving at the classic meaning but gleaning new insight with each turn of card. Truly this is one of the finest decks I own and has immediately and unequivocally become my hands down favorite.