The Tarocchino Milanese Lexicon

The Tarocchino Milanese Lexicon

the alphabetical sequence in the Dellarocca designs

by Mark Filipas

Each pictorial element of Dellarocca�s Tarocchino Milanese is listed below in English and in Hebrew.

Whereas the Marseilles pattern appears crude to modern eyes, the Tarocchino Milanese engravings are intricately detailed and its pictorial elements, therefore, are more easily identifiable within the lexicon. Dellarocca�s deck is also distinguished by the huge array of unique objects added to its designs. I submit that these objects are the key to the Tarocchino Milanese. Why? Because this profusion of objects and their singular position within the Hebrew lexicon makes an extremely strong case that they were intended as alphabetic allusions.

Words that are known to have existed in Medieval and Renaissance sources and are identified as such by Jastrow�s and/or Grossman�s Dictionaries(2). Words bolded are also from those sources and denote explicit parallels between the literal meaning of that letter�s name (or derivatives thereof) and the corresponding trump image.

Aleph

Cobbler - AVShKPA

Hat - APYLYVN, APYLYVTh

Goblet - AGN

Skein - AVN, AShVH

Tongs - ATzBThY

Hammer - ARZVBA, ARYPThA

Shoemaker�s form or �last� - AMVS

Mortar of a pestle - ASYThA

Separate threads or hangings - ASPRYTYN

Tray, Long board - ANChVThH, ARVKH

Four-legged table - ARBO RGLY

Bet

Reader of the Scriptures - BOL QRYAH

Veil, Curtain - BNYThA

Headdress - BYYKA, BRTzVTz

Woman�s plait or lock of hair - BLVRYThA

Cloak - BYRVS, BRSYM, BRSYN

Clasp - BZYVNA

Footrest - BSYS

Cushion - BYSThRQA, BRKYYR

Basilica, Semicircular building with colonnades - BSLQY

Gimel

Queen, Lady - GBYRH

Ball-shaped knob on cane - GLH

Cuirass, Protective armor -  GYNYN

Bird of prey, Falcon - GZ, GS

Long pole - GYSSA

Pole joining frames of bedstead - GShYSh

Awning, Canopy - GGVN, GNVGNTh

Fringe - GDYL, GDL

Blanket  - GVNKA, GLVPQRY

Daleth

Duke, Lord - DVKVS, DVRA

Profile - DYVQN

Crown - DYR

Iron point on a staff, Goad - DQRN, DRBN

Kite, Bird of prey - DAH, DYH

Footstool - DRGSh

Spurs - DRBN

He

Faith - HAMNH, HBTChH, HYMNV

Pontiff, Cardinal - HGMVN

Consecration -  HQDSh, HThQDShVTh

The Temple - HYKL

Crown - HDR

Necklace, Emblem of office - HMNYKA

Divided into thirds - HShThLSh

Vav

Love - VDO

To designate a wife - VOD

Marriage - VGVHY

Couple - VGVHY

Wooden poker (arrow?) - VDY

Hook (arrowhead?) - VV

Zayin

Triumph - ZKH, ZKY

Military Guard - ZQYP

Rod of an officer - ZMVRH

Crown - ZR, ZVR

Armor - ZYN

Sword  - ZYN

Cuirass, Armor -  ZVNY, ZRDA

Crimson-colored silk  - ZHVRYTh

Wreath (in foreground and on chariot) - ZR, ZVR

War Horse - ZRZYR

Horse�s bit -  ZMM

Harness - ZRZ

Ram (between the horses) -  ZMR, ZKR

Olive (branch under left horse) - ZYTh, ZYThA

Branch (olive and palm branches under horses)  -  ZMVRH

Chet

Judgment, Verdict  - ChYThVK, ChLT

Visionary, Seer (eye on girding) -  ChVZAH, ChVZH, ChZH

Vision (eye on girding) - ChZVN

Ornament -  ChLYH

Sword - ChRB

Scales - ChRSPYThYN

To weigh  -  ChShB

Fine white linen - ChVR

Girding around waist - ChGVR, ChShB

Thick blanket - ChMYLH

Embroidered design - ChVTBA

Hem, Garment border  - ChYQ, ChBTh

Sandal thong - ChBT, ChVT

Tet

Elder - TB, TVB

Toga, One-piece garment -  TVGA

Prayer cloak, Cloak - TLYTh, TRYGVN

Oil pan - TYGN, TGNN

Tuber, Tubercle  - TYNR

Three-legged  - TRSQL

Yud

Soothsayer, Diviner - YDONY

Power, Authority (crowned figure with lightning bolts) -  YD

The casting of lots -  YDD, YDH

Ram�s horn - YBL, YVBL

Riches -  YThRH

Urn, Cauldron -  YDVD

To burn, To kindle  - YTzTh, YQD

Rising pillar of smoke - YTVR

To turn  -  YTzR

Handle  -  YD, YDYTh

Axle -  YD

Base -  YSD, YSVDH

Fowler (the fox)  - YQVSh

Green herbs  -  YRQ

Kaph

Strength � KCh, KChYVTh, KP

To restrain, subdue � KBSh

Crown � KVThRTh, KLYL, KRBLTh, KThR

Bonnet � KMThH

Hairnet worn under headdress � KBVL

Tight sleeves � KYRVMNYQYA

Gown with wide sleeves � KNDA

Lion � KPYR

Lamed

Informant � LChSh, LYTYRYN

To speak a foreign tongue, To impute another � LTzZ

Strapped up � LBVB

Attached to, Clinging to � LVA, LVBD, LVY, LMD, LPP, LThA

Loop, Tie, Twine around � LVLAH, LVLY, LLAH, LPTh

Board, Plank � LVCh

Athwart, Across from one side to the other � LVKSN

Sidepost � LChY

Mortised boards � LMVD, LYMVDYM

Two posts supporting a beam � LVLB

Birch or Poplar tree � LBNH

Tunic � LSVTH

Sprout � LVLB

Stake (at bottom of posts) � LChY

Embroidery � LQYT

Buttonholes � LVLAH

Mem

Death � MVTh, MYThH, MMVTh

Reaper � MQTzRH

Scythe � MGL

Handle � MSYT, MRVO

Yarn on a distaff � MMZVR, MOZLA

Booklet � MGLH

Sword � MKRH, MKYRYN

Saw, Serrated tool � MGRH, MSR, MQTzVO, MShVR

Axe � MGZR, MOTzD, MORTzH

Priest�s headdress � MTzNPTh

Miter � MGBTzTH KHVNH

Makhlalta (great crown) � MKLLThA

Broom � MBYNA, MTATA, MKBD

Mallet � MQBTh

Medal � MTBOA

Badge of office � MNYKA

Necklace � MVNYYQ, MNYQ

Pointed metal, bent for use as a key or amulet � MSMR

Brushes � MKChL, MKThB, MTzBVO

Ink, Pigment � MYLN

Nun

Temperance � NThChSM, NZYRH, NZYRVTh

Pouring liquid from vessel to vessel � NTzVQ

Flowing water � NVB, NZL, NVZLYM

To pour out � NGR, NSK, NThK

To fill up � NTP

Vessel � NBGA, NTLA

Vessels of brass or copper � NGVDA, NChShTh

Feathers, Plumage � NTzH

Flower, Blossom � NTz

Block of stone � NDBK

Samech

Satan � STN

To blush � SMQ

Hair standing erect � SMR

Thorny rod � SYLThA

Metal spike at end of a spear � SVPYNA

Barbed tops of a fence � SNYPA

Thorn � SVL, SYSNA, SYR, SKA, SLVN, SNH

Garment made of goat hair � SVSRNA

Salamander � SLMNDRA

Fire-serpent � SRP

Wild beasts � SMLNYTh

Ayin

Flash of light � ODY

Attacked by fire � OYKVL

Soot, Smoke, Debris � OPR, OShN

Upper story � OLY, OLYH

To Detach, To tear loose � OQR

Brickwork � OTRH

Engine for hurling missiles � OBYTh

Wrought metal ball � OShShYTh, OShTh

Metal bars (on window) � OBRA, OShShYTh

Curved shield � OGYL

Serpent � OVYA, OKN, OKS, OKShVB, ORMVNA

Slave � OBD

Concealment � OBYA, OLM

Breaking the neck � ORYPH

Beam, Rafter � OB, OVB

Foliage � OBVP, OLH, OPY

Peh

Pleiades (the constellations) - PLYDVTh

Lights - PVTA

Tree  - PLVMRYH, PRSQ, PRYSh

Branch, Bough -  PARH, PSGH

Bird - PVRYThH, PYRVZ, PRChThA, PRYGA, PRYDH, PShVShA

Naked  -  PYOVR, PRM, PShT

Orifice of the womb  -  PH, PVThH

Menstruation (see position of vessel) - PThCh

Bank of a Stream  -  PH

Stream -  PYGY, PLG

Open vessels  -  PH

Vessel, Jar -  PK, PTYS, PYTVS, PYQTNY, PThRA

To disperse -  PVTz, PZR, PYZVR, PYLVG, PYS, PLG

Parthenos, the Virgin - PRThNVS

Beauty -  PARVA, PYVThA

Headband  -  PRQLYM

Sheet, Blanket - PLYVM

Thick growth of bushes  -  PROH

Flower -  PRCh

Tzaddi

Heavenly bodies � TzBA HShMYM

Pincers, Pair of tongs � TzBTh, TzNVRTh

Banquet dish, Plate � TzVOH, TzOA, TzOH, TzLChTh

Hunting dog � KLBY TzYD

Baying at the Moon� TzOQ HY VQYM

Landmark or pillar � TzYVN

Cone-shaped roof � TzRYP

Water � TzNYM, TzNYNYM

Ship, Fleet � TzY, TzYM

Flower � TzYTzH

Qoph

Summer - QYT, QYTz

Sunbeams, To emit rays � QRN

Fog � QBL

Breaking through � QRYTz

Urn � QBYH, QLPY

Wall � QYR, QVPYA

To meet with another � QDM, QRY, QRH

Junction at a road � QBLA

Dancing � QPZ, QRQR

Curled or plaited hair � QVTz, QYVVTz, QLTz

Sash � QShVRYM

Resh

Sounding of the trumpet � RAOThA, RVO

Blowing, Blowing out the cheeks � RPCh

Raziel, the Herald Angel � RZYAL

Resurrection (not yet found in Hebrew sources) � ?

Regeneration � RGNRTzYH

To raise up, To rise � RVM, RVMM, RYM, RMM

Small rectangular cloth � RVNQYN

Flames (shown in the air) � RShP

Spirits of the Dead � RPAYM

Deep sleep � RDM

Multitude � RBV, RVB

Fear, Terror � RHVTh, RThTh

Earthquake, To tremble � RGZ, RGSh, RChP, RTO, ROD, ROSh

Pavement blocks � RBYOYTh, RVBD

Tomb, Resting place � RBTz

Shin

Portal � ShOR

Heaven � ShMYA, ShMYM

Portal of Heaven � ShOR HShMYM

Bands (at the quadrants of the wreath) � ShVRYYNY, ShNTz

Scarlet bands � ShBYS

Naked, Barefoot � ShVLL

Bracelet � ShYR, ShRH

Armlet � ShRVVL

Blanket, Coverlet � ShVShPA, ShMYKH

Piece of cloth � ShVSThG

Angel � ShNAN, ShR, ShRP

Eagle, Bird of Prey � ShLK, ShRQRQ, ShVRYNQA

Lion � ShChL, ShChTz

Bull � ShVR

Cleft-hooved, Cloven-footed animal � ShSVO, ShSO

Tooth, Claw, Horn, Hoof � ShN, ShYN

� the four quadrants of the wreath presumably correspond to winter, spring, summer and fall, and show a multitude of objects:

Branch (upper right quadrant) � ShBShA, ShYTzYNA

Thorn � ShVVKA, ShK, ShMYR

Flame, Fire � ShLHBTh, ShRPH

Fruit (lower right quadrant) � ShYQZMY

Cluster of olives, Olives � ShVBL, ShPKVNY

Dates � ShLPVPY

Plum � ShZYP, ShYSQY

White figs � ShVCh

Wild figs � ShYTh

Grain (lower left quadrant) � ShBR, ShBL

Almond � ShQD

Wheat � ShChMThYTh

Rye � ShYPVN, ShPVN

Oats � ShBLTh, ShYPVN

Barley � ShOVRH, ShORH, ShORY

Onion � ShMKA

Garlic � ShVM, ShVMNYTh

Flowers (upper left quadrant) � ShVShNH

Poppy � ShVMShMA

Lily � ShVShN, ShShN

Acacia � ShTH

Tav

Folly � ThHLH, ThPLH

Fool � ThVRMVN, ThRDA

Wandering, Waywardness � ThYVBA, ThOH

Knapsack, Travelling bag � ThRMYL

To carry a knapsack � ThRML

Staff, Crutch � ThGDA, ThGRA

Feather in a cap � ThHLH

Lace (around his shoulders) � ThChRYM

Leaves of a fig tree � ThANH

Stitch, Seam � ThK, ThKYPH, ThPYRH, ThPR

Mark, Sign (on the back of shirt?) � ThYV

Staves of bone formation � ThOOMTh

Bare foot � ThChThYTh

Heel � ThPVCh OQB

Goat � ThYSh

Back to the Index

Footnotes:

(1) All words can be found either in the Jastrow or Grossman dictionary.

Key to the English transliterations above:

A  - aleph

B  - bet

G  - gimel

D  - dalet

H  - he

V  - vav

Z -  zayin

Ch  - chet

T - tet

Y  -  yud

K  -  kaph

L  -  lamed

M  - mem

N  -  nun

S - samech

O  - ayin

P  -  peh

Tz -  tzaddi

Q - qoph

R - resh

Sh - shin

Th  - tav