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What is the origin of the 4 suits in a deck of playing cards?

By Toby Bochan, About.com

Question: What is the origin of the 4 suits in a deck of playing cards?

How did we end up with hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades?

Answer: It is commonly believed that the 4 suits in a deck of playing cards -- spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs, derive from French decks of cards. In French decks, the suits represent the four classes: Spades represent nobility, hearts stand for the clergy, diamonds represent merchants, and clubs are peasants.

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