The exact origin of playing cards is unknown, but there is evidence suggesting that games with cards similar to modern ones were played in China, India, and Arabia between the 7th and 10th centuries. It is even believed that Marco Polo brought this card system from China to Europe. The standard deck of 52 cards with four suits that we use today was developed in France in the 14th century and then spread worldwide.

Looking at playing cards in general, it is thought that the four suits represent the four seasons, and the 13 cards in each suit symbolize the weeks in each season. Because of this connection to the calendar and the concept of time, it is widely accepted that playing cards were originally invented not for games but for fortune-telling.

The symbols on playing cards represent various social classes and concepts. Here are these symbols and what they represent:

• Hearts (♥): The heart symbol typically represents the church and the clergy. It is also associated with love, emotions, and spirituality.
• Diamonds (♦): The diamond symbol represents commerce and wealth. In the medieval era, this symbol was often linked with the merchant class. Today, it still symbolizes wealth and material gain.
• Clubs (♣): The club symbol represents agriculture and the peasant class. Due to its connection with agriculture and nature, it is also associated with strength, growth, and productivity.
• Spades (♠): The spade symbol represents the nobility and the warrior class. In medieval times, this symbol meant swords, and it is linked with power, authority, and strategy.

These symbols express strategy and hierarchy in card games and are also used in cartomancy and other esoteric practices.