The Ace of Spades is not only the strongest card in a deck but also the most intricately designed one. Behind it lies a wealth of interesting stories that not everyone knows.
According to UIJ, The Ace of Spades (or the Ace of Spades card) is the most recognizable card in any deck due to its elaborate designs. However, it was not chosen randomly to be the most special card in a deck. There are fascinating stories behind it.
The Ace of Spades is considered the most elaborately decorated card in a deck. (Image source: Pinterest)
A Brief History of Playing Cards
Before diving into stories related to the Ace of Spades, it’s essential to understand the historical origins of card games. According to Live About, despite some debate, many historians agree that playing cards originated in China around the 10th century and were regarded as a form of entertainment at that time. Through trade, they spread and appeared in Europe.
In the 15th century, cards were handcrafted, making them very expensive, accessible only to the wealthy and royal families.
According to Live About, playing cards originated in Asia before spreading to Europe, America, and the rest of the world. (Image source: Justdial).
Over time, French manufacturers standardized the four suits (hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs) along with their shapes and colors, allowing for mass production and cost reduction.
This led to the widespread popularity of playing cards across Europe, England, and British colonies in North America. By the 19th century, Americans began producing their own decks.
“The Death Card”
According to Psy Warrior, the idea that the Ace of Spades is “the death card” is unclear in origin. However, during the 1930s, when the crime syndicate Murder Incorporated was rampant in America, at least two mobsters were found dead with the Ace of Spades in their hands.
In 2010, a history researcher in England provided historical evidence related to viewing the Ace of Spades as “the death card.”
This individual explained that a standard deck has 52 cards (not counting the 2 Joker cards). Each card symbolizes a week in the year, while the 13 cards in each suit (hearts, diamonds, spades, clubs) represent the 13 months of the year. In the past, England divided the year into 13 months, each with 28 days and an extra day.
The four suits – hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs – symbolize the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The red suits represent femininity, warmth, positivity, and growth, while the black suits embody masculinity, coldness, negativity, and decline.
The Ace of Spades is also linked to Yule, an ancient term used in some European countries to refer to the early days of winter, starting from December 21. This was also a time when famine struck due to severe weather.
Food supplies during this period would dwindle, and the last bit of meat would be portioned out for consumption in the following months. Many who lacked food would perish from starvation.
Offerings were made for the deceased, and the elderly would voice their last wishes in case they passed away during this time.
During that era, the Ace of Spades was considered a representation of the end of a year and implied: Ultimately, death will come for all of us, without exception, whether you are a king or a commoner.
This card in Tarot, used in Europe since the 15th century, is a sword, symbolizing war. Casualties in battle are an unavoidable reality.
The Ace of Spades was once regarded as “the death card”. (Image source).
In 2012, a Canadian reader provided a reasonable explanation for why the Ace of Spades is called “the death card.” This person explained: “The term Spade means shovel, and the symbol representing the spade suit is a simplified drawing of a shovel. A shovel is used to dig graves.”
In 2020, author Gary Monger pointed out another story related to the Ace of Spades being “the death card.” According to Gary, Richard Harding, the owner of a card manufacturing company, forged a seal on the Ace of Spades certifying that the deck had been taxed. This allowed Richard to evade taxes and become wealthy. However, the scheme was later uncovered, leading to Richard being convicted at Old Bailey and hanged in 1805. If someone was hanged for the Ace of Spades, this could be a valid reason for calling it “the death card.”
Why is the Ace of Spades the Most Elaborately Decorated Card?
According to UIJ, the answer to this question lies in England during the 16th century.
The deck used today is called the Anglo-American deck, developed from the English deck. From the 16th to early 18th centuries, due to their immense popularity, decks became a significant source of revenue for the royalty at that time. Consequently, they were taxed.
Queen Anne was the first to impose this tax in 1588, with amendments made in 1628 and 1711.
In 1828, a stamp was affixed to a card to prove that the deck had been taxed. Since it was the first card revealed in the deck, the Ace of Spades was often stamped.
Also in 1828, the stamp was replaced with a pre-printed ornate design on the Ace of Spades. Having this decorated Ace of Spades in the deck indicated that the card manufacturing company had paid the tax. The design on the Ace of Spades is known as “Old Frizzle” and resembles a banknote pattern.
An “Old Frizzle” with intricate designs was once printed on the Ace of Spades. (Image: UIJunkie).
By 1862, “Old Frizzle” was abolished. Manufacturers were free to create designs to print on the Ace of Spades. As this had become a tradition, producers aimed for unique designs, showcasing their most notable features to build their brand. By 1960, this tax was eliminated because the cost of collecting it outweighed the revenue generated.
However, the decoration and design of the Ace of Spades continued to be preserved. That is why the Ace of Spades remains the most intricately designed card.
Additionally, according to Scalar, since the Ace of Spades is the strongest card in the deck, it has been used as a symbol by various military units since World War II.
