Due to the number of different decks today, I will describe serveral The World Cards from the various decks that I have in my collection rather than just describe a single card. Here are a few cards from different decks that I felt were interesting. Those that have interesting cards of the World are welcome to contribute their descriptions.
The Chinese Tarot Deck
This deck is a lovely deck by itself to begin with, all the paintings are traditional chinese paintings, or at least done in such a manner that they look like traditional chinese paintings. The World in the Chinese Tarot has been renamed to The Universe. It portrays a graceful and stately lady all in white robes and head dress. Her arms are crossed before her, in her right hand, she holds a stalk of willow, in her other hand, she holds a green vase from which water pours into the ground below her. She stands on a large, white lotus blossom with a smaller lotus blossom to her left. A halo surrounds her head, signifying her divinity. In the background are more willow branches, half shrouded in mist. The lady portrayed is this card Chinese Goddess of Mercy.
The Ukiyoe Tarot Deck
Based on folklore and art of Japan, the Ukiyoe Tarot Deck looks very much like the Rider Waite Deck reinterpreted. It is quite apprent for The World. Like in the Rider Waite Deck, a nearly naked female stands in a wreath of purp;e flowers. Behind her, within the wreath, one can see fertile land, green hills and blue skies. Beside the wreath are the traditional four animals of the zodiac, Aquarius, Scorpio, Leo and Taurus, redrawn in a Japanese style. The Card has a purple background and the words 'World' are written on the card in chinese.
The Tarot of the Old Path
An interesting interpretation of the world. A lady stands naked in a wreath of blue, red and white. She wears nothing save a necklace and a tiara with a cresent on it, its ends pointing up. Ten stars surround her head. The background behind her, within the wreath, is deep blue, as if she was floating in space, above the earth space. This is probably true for below her, a part of a something spherical, both green and blue, can be seen. Outside the wreath, a sky and lush grass land can be seen. The four animals of the zodiac are replaced by the symbols of the four elements, fire, air water and earth.
The Russian Tarot of St Petersburg
All cards of this deck have a very elaborate border set against a black back ground. The centre of the card, while still black, is oval in shape, rather like the Imperial Fabergé. A lady clad in a scarf floats in the air, wielding two rods. A majestic crown adorns her head and behind her, is the vast emptyness of space and the Earth. The four animals of the zodiac are present again, in their usual places.