O

f the various New Age practices that have gained popular appeal, the Tarot is perhaps the most widely recognized, even among those who keep their feet firmly planted in the mundane world.

Familiar as the Tarot is in the modern era, however, it is easy to forget that the cards' roots are centuries-old. A few romantics have tried to trace the Tarot's origins as far back as ancient Egypt, pointing to that culture's traditions of gods and magic. Others claim the ornate cards were brought from India by the Rom, or Gypsies. Most scholars, however, agree that the Tarot first made an appearance in the 14th century in the region that eventually would become known as Italy. But in their original incarnation, these cards were not meant for divination or self-enlightenment. Instead, they were but a bit of light amusement, used to play the game known as Tarocchi.

Leonardo da Vinci's body of public work was similarly rich in the sort of symbolism and religious iconography that was the hallmark of the original Tarot cards.

So, did the historical Leonardo da Vinci have any true connection to the Tarot?