According to one of the versions, the ancient Egyptian god Dhouti invented playing cards. With the assistance of cards, he told people about the four elements of the universe: fire, water, air, and earth represented in the four card suits. Later, in the Middle Ages, the Jewish Kabbalists interpreted this ancient message. According to them, the sets render four classes of spirits. Diamonds symbolize salamander. Hearts represent lords of air called sylphs. Clubs stand for water spirits and Spades refer to gnomes – the lords of the underground world.

Other medieval mystics believed that the cards symbolize the four main features of human nature. Hearts represent love, Clubs are the desire for knowledge, Diamonds stand for a passion for money, and Spades symbolize warning of death.

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