Playing cards

Originating in China—first used to predict the future before becoming a form of entertainment—playing cards spread to Europe during the 14th century, where the cities of Rouen and Lyon became the centers of their production. The number of 52 cards is no coincidence: 52 cards for the 52 weeks of the year, 4 suits for the 4 seasons, 12 court cards for the 12 months of the year. The total value of all the cards adds up to 364 points, to which the joker—counted as 1 point—is added to reach 365, representing the 365 days of the year, and the second joker corresponds to a leap year. In the 17th century, the symmetrization of card designs was a major graphic innovation, allowing players to hold the cards without having to turn them right side up.