Do Lenormand and Baralho Cigano have the same cards?

In general, yes: there are 36 cards with themes such as The Rider, The Clover and The Ship. But some versions have small differences in name, image and interpretation, so check your deck.

Was the Baralho Cigano created by Romani people?

The exact origin is debated. The name ties the deck to Romani imagery, but the documented history runs through European card games. It is best to treat that association with caution.

Is Lenormand harder than tarot?

Not necessarily. The cards are more direct and the reading depends on combinations, which changes the kind of learning involved. Many people find the images simpler to remember.

Comparisons and differences

Lenormand or Baralho Cigano: are they the same deck?

Published on October 9, 2026

In practice, both names usually point to the same family of 36-card decks, with cards such as The Rider, The Clover, The Ship and The House. What varies is the name, the imagery and the meanings of each version. Lenormand is the term used in most other countries, and Baralho Cigano is the most common in Brazil.

Why there are two names

The Petit Lenormand is a 36-card deck named after Marie Anne Lenormand, a French fortune-teller of the early 19th century. A direct historical link between her and the deck is debated by researchers, and the name stuck more by tradition than by proof.

In Brazil, many 36-card decks were marketed as the Baralho Cigano (literally the Gypsy deck), tying the use of the cards to the imagery of Romani peoples. Today both expressions circulate together, and many shops sell the same kind of deck under one label or the other.

What changes from version to version

Even with 36 cards, the differences in art and meaning between versions can be large. Some images are faithful to the classic French design, others follow local traditions, and there are variations in names and in the list of cards.

That is why, before following a meanings guide, you should check that your deck has the same cards as the guide. If a card has a different name or a different drawing, the meaning may change.

Comparison chart

The table below separates what is usually the same from what can vary.

Item	Usually the same	Can vary
Number of cards	36	Some decks add extra cards
Structure	Cards with simple images and everyday objects	Drawing style and colors
How to read	Combinations of pairs and sequences	Each reader's preferred spreads
Name of the deck	Reference to the same family	Lenormand, Cigano, Petit Lenormand
Meanings	Shared base across versions	Details and nuances of each school

Which to choose and how to learn

If you already use the Baralho Cigano, you do not need to change anything because of the name. Just follow a guide that matches your deck and practice with a few cards at a time.

If you want to explore the difference between this family of decks and tarot, it is worth reading the guide on the Lenormand and tarot too. They are different systems, with different logic.

Frequently asked questions

Do Lenormand and Baralho Cigano have the same cards?: In general, yes: there are 36 cards with themes such as The Rider, The Clover and The Ship. But some versions have small differences in name, image and interpretation, so check your deck.
Was the Baralho Cigano created by Romani people?: The exact origin is debated. The name ties the deck to Romani imagery, but the documented history runs through European card games. It is best to treat that association with caution.
Is Lenormand harder than tarot?: Not necessarily. The cards are more direct and the reading depends on combinations, which changes the kind of learning involved. Many people find the images simpler to remember.

Educational content, for reflection. Tarot does not replace medical, legal or financial advice.