You’ve seen them and played with them hundreds of times. But have you ever contemplated the history or meaning behind the suits on a deck of cards? Recently, I was randomly curious about this, so I did a little research. I didn’t expect to be intrigued with my findings.  But they inspired a painting or two…

The oldest suit designs seem to be Muslim. These suits were coins, cups, swords and polo sticks (polo sticks?). As cards evolved, different cultures created their own suits and royalty face cards. Germany used leaves, hearts, hawk bells and acorns. In present day Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy, suits of swords, cups, coins, and batons are still used (and I hope to find some in my European adventures!). Today’s design, the hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds, are a French design from the 15th century. These designs were flat, stenciled silhouettes, which were easily mass produced, and thus made their way to America. Each suit represents a social class. Spades are nobility. Hearts are clergy. Diamonds are merchants. Clubs are peasants.

Myth states that the four suits represent the four seasons, and that the 52 cards represent the 52 weeks of the year. I discovered that each individual suit has many themes:

Hearts represent spring, home, hearts, emotions, love, childhood, vulnerability, art, poetry music, water and Karma. Clubs represent summer, education, mind, intellect, musing, young, irresponsibility, literature, air and drama. Diamonds represent fall, career, security, values, judgement, adult, responsibility, entertainment, fire, and material goods. Spades represent winter, environment, wisdom, health, acceptance, old age, transformation, scripture, earth, workaholic, old souls and warriors.

My random thought about suits became the starting point for two symbolic portraits. Spades seemed to best represent the first portrait, The King of My Castle.

The King of My Castle, Mixed Media, 80 cm x 120 cm

I chose spades because my king is a warrior, as you can see from his ship, the flag of his country and his command wings. Long flowing contrails represent his life-long passion for flying and endless hours dedicated to work (thus the workaholic). Because spades represent winter (and this king was actually born in the winter), I chose a cool winter palette with snowflakes, a hint of evergreen and an artic white border. Numbers represent his wisdom (and he really IS good at math). Antiqued scripture pages were specifically chosen for the background including verses on War, Faith, Wisdom, Marriage, Courage and Responsibility. A Celtic cross represents his Irish heritage and faith. Three stars on his crown represent his offspring. The earth in the center of the painting keeps him centered while he moves all over the world. His favorite past-time decorates his garment. Finally, a gold heart (created with the lively label of a favorite German beer, of course) shines on his sword.  Why the heart? On the outside he may come off as quiet and intimidating, but on the inside he has a heart of gold. He truly cares about his people, friends and family.  That very heart won the heart of his queen.  Who is this lucky guy?

Next up…the queen.