This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
The first playing cards appeared in China around the 9th century, and over time they spread to India and Persia before reaching Europe in the 14th century. Europeans adapted maps to their cultural realities, creating different suits and shaped maps.
It is interesting that in different countries the maps could have different names and images. For example, Italian and Spanish maps use suits of swords, cups, coins and sticks, which also reflect their cultural heritage.
Most modern card decks have four suits: spades, worms, clubs and diamonds. These names come from different traditions and have deep symbolic meanings:
- Spades: The name "peaks" comes from the French "pique", which means "spear" or "pin". In early European decks, this suit symbolized weapons and military affairs, and in the modern interpretation is often associated with difficult or dangerous situations.
- Hearts: The name "worm" is directly related to the symbol of the heart. In many cultures, the heart symbolizes love, life and emotions. This is one of the most positive suits in the card deck.
- Clubs: Clubs come from the French "trèfle", which means "clover". They symbolize luck and the natural world. In English-speaking countries, they are also called "clubs", which may indicate a weapon - a mace.
- Diamonds: The name "tambourines" comes from the French "carreau", which means "stone mason". This suit symbolizes wealth and material values. In English-speaking countries, the term "diamonds" is used, which is associated with jewelry.
Figure maps also have their own names that reflect social statuses and roles:
- King: The king has always been a symbol of supreme power and authority. The image of the king on the map reflects the monarchs who ruled at the time of the creation of card decks.
- Queen: A lady represents a queen or an influential woman. Her role in the card game symbolizes the importance and power of women in society.
- Jack: This is a young man who serves a king or queen and symbolizes youth and ambition.
Let's dive into the origin of the word "jack".
The word "jack" in Ukrainian comes from the French "valet", which literally means "servant" or "helper". In medieval Europe, jacks were used to refer to young servants in the court who often served knights or senior nobles. They performed various duties, ranging from caring for the owner's clothes to accompanying him on the hunt. Over time, the term began to mean simply "servant".
How did this image get on card decks? It all started with the fact that in the 14th and 15th centuries playing cards began to spread in Europe. The jack in the card game took a place between the number cards and the higher pieces – king and queen. He was a middle-class man, perhaps even one striving for a higher status. It is interesting that in different cultures the jack has its own special names and meanings. For example, in English-speaking countries, the jack is known as "Jack". Until the 19th century, in England the jack was called "knave", which also meant "servant" or "boy". However, to avoid confusion with the "K" (King) numerical card, it began to be called "Jack".
Another interesting aspect is the – image of the jack on the cards. In classic French card decks, jacks are depicted as young men in colorful costumes, often with swords or other attributes of chivalry. This image has survived to this day and is one of the characteristic features of a card deck.
Thus, the name "jack" is a reflection of the ancient social structure and cultural traditions that passed from medieval Europe to modern playing cards. This word carries history and traditions that help us understand how social relations and entertainment have developed over the centuries.
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