The Rider-Waite-Smith tarot was published in 1909. It’s still the most-used and most-referenced deck in the world. That’s worth examining.
What the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is
Created by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, published by the Rider Company in 1909. It was the first tarot deck to have fully illustrated scenes on all 78 cards — including the 56 Minor Arcana, which in earlier decks were often just symbols (five cups, nine swords) without figures or narrative.
That innovation changed everything. Illustrated pip cards made the deck intuitive to read in a way earlier decks weren’t. It became the default standard, and virtually every learning resource since has been built around its imagery.
What’s genuinely good about it
Depth of symbolism. Every color, figure, background, and gesture carries meaning developed from Western esoteric tradition, Kabbalah, astrology, and numerology. A century of readers and scholars have written about it — the learning resources are essentially unlimited.
Intuitiveness. Pamela Colman Smith was a gifted illustrator who made the cards readable at a glance. Even without knowing the symbolism, the scenes communicate emotional and situational content.
Universal compatibility. Every tarot course, book, app, and resource defaults to RWS. Learning it means everything you encounter will directly apply to your deck.
The honest limitations
The art style is dated. The figures are Edwardian, the coloring is flat, and many readers find it visually unappealing by modern standards. This is real — aesthetics matter to your reading practice.
Limited representation. The figures are almost exclusively white European. This has led to numerous reimaginings (the Modern Witch Tarot, the Melanated Classic Tarot, etc.) that keep the symbolism while updating the figures.
Verdict
Yes, it’s still the best foundational deck. Not because it’s the most beautiful or the most modern, but because nothing beats it as a learning tool. Every card has been studied, written about, and interpreted from dozens of angles. If you want depth and longevity in your practice, the RWS is the foundation to build on.
FAQ
Which version of the Rider-Waite-Smith should I buy? The Radiant Rider-Waite has updated coloring that many find more accessible. The Smith-Waite Centennial edition uses the original colors with a vintage feel. Any official version uses Smith’s original art.
Is the Rider-Waite-Smith public domain? In most countries, yes — the copyright has expired, which is why there are so many reproductions and derivatives.
Should I learn RWS before trying other decks? For most readers, yes. Starting with RWS means your foundational knowledge transfers to most other decks.