Le Tarot du Roi Nissanka

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

catlin	19 Aug 2003
That's something for all the addicts to Marseilles-style decks but it is a bit different as the cards are inspired by Indian mininatures like the ones painted during the time of the moguls and rajas. It does not include pictures of Indian Gods and Goddesses, just "normal" ppl. The cards are slightly narrower than the standard US games sizes so maybe this deck is also recommandable for ppl with smaller hands. You may check it out at somerville's playingcards.

Logiatrix	19 Aug 2003
cat, I saw this deck a while back, when I went "pretend shopping" on the Somerville site. :D Of course, that also means I can only "pretend OWN" all those beautiful decks! *sigh* Do you now have this deck? If so, how are you liking it? Thanks for posting the thread--this deck certainly needs to be noticed! :)

catlin	19 Aug 2003
I like it but I do not use it as I have ordered it as a collector's deck (I only use decks I can easily replace for readings). I also recommend this deck as it is nicely done and I was wondering why it remained so long unnoticed among the Marseilles addicts.

Kissa	17 May 2004
Does any Marseilles aficionado use this deck as a reading deck? Can it be considered a typical Marseilles with exotic flavour? Justice is VIII and Strength XI, the author uses roman numbers (and the additive way ie 4 is IIII and not IV, i've learned from Diana that this is the way to do it because the journey in the arcana is a progression, you add your experiences to one other). Pips are richly illustrated with floral motives but are non-scenic. Scans can be viewed on Tarot Garden and somewhere but cannot remember (or check right now) whether it is Tarot Passages or Wicce. Kissa

jmd	17 May 2004
The deck is one of those I keep on putting off buying... it's certainly a deck which has its charms, but for me, remains a personalised type of Marseille 'clone'. Some images from the deck, by the way, may be viewed, as mentioned by Kissa, on the Tarot Garden site.

Jewel-ry	20 Aug 2004
I am bumping up this thread as I have received this deck today and its really quite nice. I have no idea about the myth behind the cards but I agree with jmd, it is a Marseilles type clone. I don't think the scans I have seen here http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/roy-nissanka/ do it justice. Some of the cards seem to have a type of gold paint on, which makes it look a little luxurious. I like the feel and the size of it and the colouring is quite beautiful. Actually, you know sometimes you get a deck which smells just 'yummy' well it has that smell too! I really like it. I havn't done a reading yet but I will do and I may post it. Does anyone else have this deck? If so what are your views? :)

zorya	20 Aug 2004
it's one of my favorite decks and i use it on a regular basis. i suppose i should save it as a collector deck, but i can't resist. :D i agree that it feels wonderful, and the scans do not do it justice! (btw, you can read my review here; http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/roy-nissanka/review.shtml )

Jewel-ry	20 Aug 2004
Hi zorya, Its good to know that someone else appreciates the beauty in this deck too! I read your review and have to say I agree with everything you say. I didn't know about the King and the story behind the deck. Looking through the deck again, it is has quite an array of sumptuous colours and costumes. I think the court cards are some of the most beautiful I have seen in any deck. I also really like the way the swords are drawn. As you use the deck on a regular basis, can you say if the deck stands up to regular use? :)

zorya	20 Aug 2004
i think the pips are the most beautiful i've seen. :) my cards are holding up very well. the gold has not rubbed off a bit. they are showing a little wear around the edges, like any deck with a dark background, that gets used often does, but it's nothing substantial. however, i don't bend my cards when i shuffle and try to always use a spread cloth. they really are too lovely to not use and enjoy! :D

rabble	20 Aug 2004
ooh... these are gorgeous!

Jewel-ry	20 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by rabble ooh... these are gorgeous! rabble, You have no idea! I have spent the evening with these cards, they are special. I am surprised that they are as little known as they are. :)

Cerulean	20 Aug 2004
I started a question on colors in tarot cards (do they zing for you) and was hoping people would answer with decks such as the Roi Nissanka, telling me more about the gorgeous hues. In this review, there's also a separate page talking about the colors of the Roi Nissanka: http://www.wicce.com/roth9.html What do the colors evoke for you? Pure pleasure or do they assist in readability? I've been eyeing this deck while I wait for my Sept/October picks to be published--I'm guessing they won't come out until later October, maybe even November..... Just curious. I'm coloring a deck in as well, so maybe I'm just doing eye flirtation and drinking in ideas... Best wishes, Cerulean

rabble	20 Aug 2004
Colour is one of the reasons I just bought the Balbi Tarot, on ebay :)

zorya	21 Aug 2004
good questions cerulean! i confess, i love to use a beautiful deck. i gasped when i first opened my ukiyoe. my visconti gold is all but worn out. so yes, a big part of my love for the nissanka, is the pure pleasure of looking at its lovely colours. :D the nissanka does not appear to use colour in the symbolic way a marseilles does, at all. while the sword pips seem a tad bluer, perhaps to symbolize air, and the coins a bit greener and earthier, there does not seem to be a consistancy across each suit, as far as elemental use of colour. however i feel the colour palette does impact its readability for me in a different way. believing that intuition, psychic connections or tapping into the univeral web of knowledge and wisdom strongly effects my readings, i feel the emphasis on blues and purples assist in that connection or whatever you want to call it, lol. the messages come in loud and clear. :laugh:

Jewel-ry	21 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Cerulean I started a question on colors in tarot cards (do they zing for you) and was hoping people would answer with decks such as the Roi Nissanka, telling me more about the gorgeous hues. In this review, there's also a separate page talking about the colors of the Roi Nissanka: http://www.wicce.com/roth9.html What do the colors evoke for you? Pure pleasure or do they assist in readability? Hi Mari, The colours are not what you would expect in a Marseilles deck but I think its easy to use them in your readings if you feel inclined. I can't say much about the colours and readability yet because I only received it yesterday and havn't had that much time to 'play', but I did a new deck reading and one of the cards that I pulled was L'Etoile. I am trying to add a scan here (not that my scanner can do it any justice) so I hope it works but in case it doesn't: The water she pours is the turquoise that you get in jewel-ry or a piece from a crystal shop. I held my large stone against it and its exactly the same colour. Turqoise is a good luck charm, its the colour of protection and enjoyment of life, all of which will add to the meaning of this card. Whilst researching google, I read that turquoise is 'A piece of sky in your hands'. What a lovely thought? Particularly in the light of this card. The colours are sumptuous whilst not being over the top. When you look at the card, you can see the water lapping at her foot and the distorted rock beneath the surface of the water. I think the art is just glorious. :)

Cerulean	21 Aug 2004
I now know a September wishlist pick, as the decks that I dearly want for October/November are probably going to take some time to be shipped (Millenium/Eden).... Cerulean Mari, whose still coloring her Takado and seems to be erasing most of the details and replacing them with stickers in the process...

The Le Tarot du Roi Nissanka thread was originally posted on 19 Aug 2003 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.