Chang'an's Illusion Tarot
Number of Cards: 78
Recommendation: Use Upright and Reversed Positions
This Tarot deck chooses to follow the footsteps of a bard, starting from the heart of the Tang Empire, Chang'an, passing through the four major towns of the Anxi Protectorate along the way — Shule Kingdom, Khotan Kingdom, Kucha Kingdom, Suyab City, then crossing the Tubo Kingdom, passing through Dali and Pyu Kingdom, finally feeling the profound influence brought by the Envoy to the Tang Court to the Kingdom of Fusang during the Asuka and Nara periods.
If you too have heard the melodious music of the Pipa, then let us traverse the vast rivers and mountains of the Great Tang together.
Under the guidance of this deck, travel through the corridor of time and space, experiencing that brilliant era where "there were none before and none after." May every user, like a bard, traverse thousands of miles under the inspiration of the cards' meanings, gaining their own life wisdom and spiritual growth within the light and shadow of Chang'an's Illusion.
Regarding the symbolic system and historical-cultural connotations of Chang'an's Illusion Tarot, this work is not only a tribute to the prosperous Tang Dynasty but also an innovative practice in Tarot artistic expression. Hope every Tarot enthusiast can feel the charm of Tang culture and the deep integration of Tarot wisdom within this deck.
"If you too hear the music of the Pipa, please walk the vast rivers and mountains of the Great Tang once more in this world of cards."
[Creator's Message]
Every time the Great Tang is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the vast territory of the Tang Empire — countless regional landscapes, ancient and long-standing legends, and diverse voices and clothing images nurtured by cultural exchanges among different ethnic groups.
This Tarot deck chooses to follow the footsteps of a bard, starting from the heart of the Tang Empire, Chang'an, passing through the four major towns of the Anxi Protectorate along the way — Shule Kingdom, Khotan Kingdom, Kucha Kingdom, Suyab City, then crossing the Tubo Kingdom, passing through Dali and Pyu Kingdom, finally feeling the profound influence brought by the Envoy to the Tang Court to the Kingdom of Fusang during the Asuka and Nara periods. If you too have heard the melodious music of the Pipa, then let us traverse the vast rivers and mountains of the Great Tang together.
[Historical Background]
In the 7th century, the Kingdom of Kang (Samarkand) twice presented precious bright yellow peaches to the Tang court, called "Golden Peaches". Until the outbreak of the An Lushan Rebellion, seeking peaches westward ceased. From then on, "Golden Peaches of Kang" became the Tang people's description and imagination of luxurious imported goods.
This folk tale from the Kingdom of Kang reveals the unique cultural atmosphere of the High Tang. The Tang Empire had vast territories; to the west were the Thirty-Six States of the Western Regions. Customs varied across countries on the ancient Silk Road, with Hu-Han fusion and nations coming to pay homage, constituting the unique prosperous style of the Tang Empire.
The Tang Empire had many neighboring states: The Tubo Kingdom on the plateau was an ancient holy land for the eastward transmission of Buddhism; the Tea Horse Road in the southwest connected the green mountains and clear waters of the Nanzhao Kingdom, and the Thousand Pagoda Kingdom of Pyu linked with India; on the island of Fusang in the eastern overseas sea, Envoy to the Tang Court crossed the strait, landed in Ningbo to study, and finally brought the brilliant Tang culture back to their homeland, comprehensively learning the Tang Empire's fashion aesthetics, systems, and writing.
[Creative Journey]
As a designer who deeply studies the Tarot symbolic system, I experienced a complete process from exploration to depth when creating this deck. Initially, when determining the Great Tang theme, I constantly wondered: Why do people love the powerful Tang Empire so much? Is it because of its unique openness and inclusiveness, or the brilliant culture and unique aesthetics under multi-ethnic fusion?
After in-depth research on Tarot symbolism, I realized defining the Great Tang solely with Hu-style wind was too biased. The Tang Empire had vast territories, possessing not only Hu-Han culture but also numerous ancient neighbors and ethnic groups in mutual fusion. Therefore, I decided to integrate the various kingdoms surrounding the Great Tang into the Minor Arcana design, thus establishing the basic direction and historical background for the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.
During the creation of the Tarot deck, every symbol element on each card face underwent careful consideration. I drew traditional aesthetic nourishment from ancient artifacts of various countries, used classic Tarot symbolic language, combined historical weight with modern aesthetics, and finally presented this unique deck blending past and present.
Through in-depth research on the Tarot symbolic system and historical-cultural connotations, this work is not only a tribute to the prosperous Tang Dynasty but also an innovative practice in Tarot artistic expression. I hope every Tarot enthusiast can feel the charm of Tang culture and the deep integration of Tarot wisdom within this deck.
[Wands Suit - Pyu & Nanzhao]
Story Background: In this set, we arrived at the ancient Pyu Kingdom and Nanzhao Kingdom. In the Thousand Pagoda Kingdom of Pyu, King Yongqiang of Pyu, introduced by King Yimouxun of Nanzhao, sent Prince Shuantuo of Pyu leading a band and dancers to offer their national music to Chang'an. It was a dance of offering music where Pyu actively established a connection with the Great Tang.
Bai Juyi recorded this event in a long poem titled "Pyu Music". This is an outwardly diverging energy and journey filled with passion and exploration, adventure and action.
[Cups Suit - Tubo Style]
In this set, we arrive at the unique ancient civilization country on the snow-capped mountain plateau, the eternal thorn in the heart of the Great Tang, the vast Tubo Dynasty. This ten-thousand-mile Buddhist kingdom is the oldest stopping place after Mahayana Buddhism was transmitted. Starting from the perspective of Princess Wencheng marrying Songtsen Gampo far away in Tibet, one can glimpse the continuous traditional customs and aesthetics on the ancient plateau.
This set of cards mainly concerns love, emotions, imagination, and intuition, emphasizing spiritual growth even more.
[Swords Suit - Western Regions Style]
Story Background: This set passes through the Tang borderlands covered in yellow sand. At the westernmost end of the Tang Empire's power, via the four major towns of the Anxi Protectorate, from Li Bai's birthplace, the furthest Suyab City, to the Buddhist kingdom of Shule among the Western Region countries, then passing through Kucha and Khotan, the meeting point of Chinese and Western cultures.
They represent intellect and thought, fair morality, Hu winds everywhere, clear skies spanning ten thousand miles, brightness everywhere, symbolizing clear and distinct inner strength.
[Pentacles Suit - Fusang Style]
Story Background: In this set, we arrive at the Nara period where mountains and rivers differ yet share the same sky and moon. Here we will appreciate the influence of Tang culture on the Kingdom of Fusang, and how Japan during the Asuka and Nara periods fully learned the trends of the Tang Empire from clothing to systems, serving as a microcosm of Tangification.
This set of cards represents a more pragmatic, realistic orientation, as well as material conditions.
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Recommendation: Use Upright and Reversed Positions
This Tarot deck chooses to follow the footsteps of a bard, starting from the heart of the Tang Empire, Chang'an, passing through the four major towns of the Anxi Protectorate along the way — Shule Kingdom, Khotan Kingdom, Kucha Kingdom, Suyab City, then crossing the Tubo Kingdom, passing through Dali and Pyu Kingdom, finally feeling the profound influence brought by the Envoy to the Tang Court to the Kingdom of Fusang during the Asuka and Nara periods.
If you too have heard the melodious music of the Pipa, then let us traverse the vast rivers and mountains of the Great Tang together.
Under the guidance of this deck, travel through the corridor of time and space, experiencing that brilliant era where "there were none before and none after." May every user, like a bard, traverse thousands of miles under the inspiration of the cards' meanings, gaining their own life wisdom and spiritual growth within the light and shadow of Chang'an's Illusion.
Regarding the symbolic system and historical-cultural connotations of Chang'an's Illusion Tarot, this work is not only a tribute to the prosperous Tang Dynasty but also an innovative practice in Tarot artistic expression. Hope every Tarot enthusiast can feel the charm of Tang culture and the deep integration of Tarot wisdom within this deck.
"If you too hear the music of the Pipa, please walk the vast rivers and mountains of the Great Tang once more in this world of cards."
[Creator's Message]
Every time the Great Tang is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the vast territory of the Tang Empire — countless regional landscapes, ancient and long-standing legends, and diverse voices and clothing images nurtured by cultural exchanges among different ethnic groups.
This Tarot deck chooses to follow the footsteps of a bard, starting from the heart of the Tang Empire, Chang'an, passing through the four major towns of the Anxi Protectorate along the way — Shule Kingdom, Khotan Kingdom, Kucha Kingdom, Suyab City, then crossing the Tubo Kingdom, passing through Dali and Pyu Kingdom, finally feeling the profound influence brought by the Envoy to the Tang Court to the Kingdom of Fusang during the Asuka and Nara periods. If you too have heard the melodious music of the Pipa, then let us traverse the vast rivers and mountains of the Great Tang together.
[Historical Background]
In the 7th century, the Kingdom of Kang (Samarkand) twice presented precious bright yellow peaches to the Tang court, called "Golden Peaches". Until the outbreak of the An Lushan Rebellion, seeking peaches westward ceased. From then on, "Golden Peaches of Kang" became the Tang people's description and imagination of luxurious imported goods.
This folk tale from the Kingdom of Kang reveals the unique cultural atmosphere of the High Tang. The Tang Empire had vast territories; to the west were the Thirty-Six States of the Western Regions. Customs varied across countries on the ancient Silk Road, with Hu-Han fusion and nations coming to pay homage, constituting the unique prosperous style of the Tang Empire.
The Tang Empire had many neighboring states: The Tubo Kingdom on the plateau was an ancient holy land for the eastward transmission of Buddhism; the Tea Horse Road in the southwest connected the green mountains and clear waters of the Nanzhao Kingdom, and the Thousand Pagoda Kingdom of Pyu linked with India; on the island of Fusang in the eastern overseas sea, Envoy to the Tang Court crossed the strait, landed in Ningbo to study, and finally brought the brilliant Tang culture back to their homeland, comprehensively learning the Tang Empire's fashion aesthetics, systems, and writing.
[Creative Journey]
As a designer who deeply studies the Tarot symbolic system, I experienced a complete process from exploration to depth when creating this deck. Initially, when determining the Great Tang theme, I constantly wondered: Why do people love the powerful Tang Empire so much? Is it because of its unique openness and inclusiveness, or the brilliant culture and unique aesthetics under multi-ethnic fusion?
After in-depth research on Tarot symbolism, I realized defining the Great Tang solely with Hu-style wind was too biased. The Tang Empire had vast territories, possessing not only Hu-Han culture but also numerous ancient neighbors and ethnic groups in mutual fusion. Therefore, I decided to integrate the various kingdoms surrounding the Great Tang into the Minor Arcana design, thus establishing the basic direction and historical background for the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.
During the creation of the Tarot deck, every symbol element on each card face underwent careful consideration. I drew traditional aesthetic nourishment from ancient artifacts of various countries, used classic Tarot symbolic language, combined historical weight with modern aesthetics, and finally presented this unique deck blending past and present.
Through in-depth research on the Tarot symbolic system and historical-cultural connotations, this work is not only a tribute to the prosperous Tang Dynasty but also an innovative practice in Tarot artistic expression. I hope every Tarot enthusiast can feel the charm of Tang culture and the deep integration of Tarot wisdom within this deck.
[Wands Suit - Pyu & Nanzhao]
Story Background: In this set, we arrived at the ancient Pyu Kingdom and Nanzhao Kingdom. In the Thousand Pagoda Kingdom of Pyu, King Yongqiang of Pyu, introduced by King Yimouxun of Nanzhao, sent Prince Shuantuo of Pyu leading a band and dancers to offer their national music to Chang'an. It was a dance of offering music where Pyu actively established a connection with the Great Tang.
Bai Juyi recorded this event in a long poem titled "Pyu Music". This is an outwardly diverging energy and journey filled with passion and exploration, adventure and action.
[Cups Suit - Tubo Style]
In this set, we arrive at the unique ancient civilization country on the snow-capped mountain plateau, the eternal thorn in the heart of the Great Tang, the vast Tubo Dynasty. This ten-thousand-mile Buddhist kingdom is the oldest stopping place after Mahayana Buddhism was transmitted. Starting from the perspective of Princess Wencheng marrying Songtsen Gampo far away in Tibet, one can glimpse the continuous traditional customs and aesthetics on the ancient plateau.
This set of cards mainly concerns love, emotions, imagination, and intuition, emphasizing spiritual growth even more.
[Swords Suit - Western Regions Style]
Story Background: This set passes through the Tang borderlands covered in yellow sand. At the westernmost end of the Tang Empire's power, via the four major towns of the Anxi Protectorate, from Li Bai's birthplace, the furthest Suyab City, to the Buddhist kingdom of Shule among the Western Region countries, then passing through Kucha and Khotan, the meeting point of Chinese and Western cultures.
They represent intellect and thought, fair morality, Hu winds everywhere, clear skies spanning ten thousand miles, brightness everywhere, symbolizing clear and distinct inner strength.
[Pentacles Suit - Fusang Style]
Story Background: In this set, we arrive at the Nara period where mountains and rivers differ yet share the same sky and moon. Here we will appreciate the influence of Tang culture on the Kingdom of Fusang, and how Japan during the Asuka and Nara periods fully learned the trends of the Tang Empire from clothing to systems, serving as a microcosm of Tangification.
This set of cards represents a more pragmatic, realistic orientation, as well as material conditions.