In 1909, Arthur Edward Waite encouraged Pamela Colman Smith to produce a tarot deck with appeal to the world of art that would have significance behind the symbols and thus make the deck more important than tarot packs previously used for centuries.The result was the unique Rider-Waite tarot deck which has endured as the world's most popular 78-card tarot deck.The innovative cards, including the 56 Minor Arcana, depict full scenes with figures and symbols. This feature, combined with Pamela Colman Smith's ability to capture the subtleties of emotion and experience, has made the Rider-Waite Tarot the basis for the designs of many century decks.The serene Universal Waite tarot deck and book set is perfect for meditation and readings. The 78-card deck is a soothing, eye-appealing complement to the traditional Rider-Waite deck. Based on drawings by Pamela Colman Smith, the detailed design and coloring of the deck is by Mary Hanson-Roberts.