Origins and Spread in China
Regarding the origins of playing cards, scholars generally believe that their prototype originated in Tang Dynasty China in the 9th century. The leaf game of that time, as the earliest paper game tool, already possessed the characteristics of combining suits and numbers. With the prosperity of the Silk Road, card games were introduced to Persia in the 14th century and were improved by Arab merchants into "Mamluks".
Evolution in Persia and Arabia
A set of playing cards made in 1390, now housed in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, clearly shows the structure of 56 cards, which is very close to modern playing cards. It is worth mentioning that this ancient set already includes four suits: scepters, cups, swords, and coins, laying the foundation for the prototype of later European playing cards.
