The Lovers

:For The Lovers, the Socratic dialogue attributed to Plato, see Rival Lovers.

History

This Cards history comes from are two different traditions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. The Italian tradition, which gives an uncomplicated allegory of "Love?.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2. The Marseille tradition, which presents some permutation on the theme of "choice" or "temptation".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Italian tradition came first and in it the card is always called simply "Love?. The picture is usually a couple with Cupid above them. The Marseille tradition, which originated in the 16th or early 17th century a new element enters in the form of a third person. During the 17th century French card makers began to title the card "L'Amoreux", The Lovers.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Waite's deck eliminates the third figure bringing us closer to the Italian tradition of a male and female place side by side drawn together by love.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~