Tarot glossary
What is a lâmina in tarot?
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Lâmina is one of the names given to a tarot card, commonly used by Brazilian tarot readers. In many contexts it is a synonym for card or arcanum, and some readers reserve it for the Major Arcana. The exact meaning varies from one school to another.
What the term refers to
Lâmina, in tarot vocabulary, means card. It is how many readers talk: I drew three lâminas, the middle lâmina, the lâmina on the left. In everyday Portuguese the word suggests a thin, flat piece, like a sheet.
There is no single, official definition. The term is a convention of language, more alive in the speech of people who read than in books.
Lâmina, card and arcanum
The three terms overlap. Card is the most neutral and appears with any deck. Arcanum is the most traditional and carries the idea of mystery. Lâmina is an informal synonym, widely used in courses and consultations.
Some readers use lâmina only for the Major Arcana, keeping card for the rest. Others make no such distinction. If the term causes doubt, it is worth asking how the person uses it.
- Card: the general term.
- Arcanum: the traditional term.
- Lâmina: an informal synonym, sometimes limited to the Majors.
Where you will find the term
In Portuguese-language tarot materials, lâmina often appears in explanations of spreads, for example: the first lâmina speaks of the central theme. In English, the equivalent is simply card.
For your own study, you can use whichever word you prefer. What matters is keeping the same term when you write up readings in your journal.
Frequently asked questions
- Are a lâmina and a card the same thing?
- In most uses, yes. Lâmina is a more informal way of saying card, common among Brazilian readers.
- Does lâmina only apply to Major Arcana?
- It depends on who is speaking. Some schools reserve the term for the Majors, but many readers apply it to any card in the deck.
- Can I use the word lâmina in my notes?
- You can. There is no required term. Pick one name and keep it throughout your journal to make rereading easier.
Educational content, for reflection. Tarot does not replace medical, legal or financial advice.