“Blood Wedding” by Federico Garcia Lorca is an undeniably complex play that uses many alternative religious symbols to convey death, truth, and betrayal in a unique way. The tarot card references in the play are likely the most effective and interesting symbols Lorca uses to translate his literary ideas to religious concepts. The use of tarot cards in Lorca’s work may seem subtle to those who don’t have experience with the religious tool, but for people who can easily identify tarot cards, their significance is almost overwhelming.
Tarot cards are commonly used in literature as symbols for common ideas. Granted, in the majority of these works the symbols either go completely unnoticed or lack any intention of the author. In these instances, …show more content…
One reason would be
Lorca’s use of Duende is his writing. Duende is the belief of a dark, magical power rooted in
Gypsy culture (Foster 1). This idea heavily influences Lorca’s writing, especially in “Blood
Wedding”. Duende also directly correlates to his direct references to tarot symbolism because of it’s ties to Gypsy culture.
Another reason would be the very positive effects that using religious symbolism in literature can have. Religion as an allusion in literature makes the work more relatable to the reader and provides a real-world image of the story, making it appear more realistic. A reason for
Lorca to choose tarot rather than a more modern religion is to maintain the dark, new age vibe associated with Duende that is presented in his work.
One of the recurring tarot symbols Lorca uses would be a horse and rider. In the tarot, a horse symbolizes “strength, motion, action, and vitality” (Symbol Meanings 2), which perfectly aligns with the way the symbol is used by Lorca in the play. Leonardo’s horse is the factor that introduces his relationship with the Bride because of its sweat. The horse's sweat gives
Tarot cards are commonly used in literature as symbols for common ideas. Granted, in the majority of these works the symbols either go completely unnoticed or lack any intention of the author. In these instances, …show more content…
One reason would be
Lorca’s use of Duende is his writing. Duende is the belief of a dark, magical power rooted in
Gypsy culture (Foster 1). This idea heavily influences Lorca’s writing, especially in “Blood
Wedding”. Duende also directly correlates to his direct references to tarot symbolism because of it’s ties to Gypsy culture.
Another reason would be the very positive effects that using religious symbolism in literature can have. Religion as an allusion in literature makes the work more relatable to the reader and provides a real-world image of the story, making it appear more realistic. A reason for
Lorca to choose tarot rather than a more modern religion is to maintain the dark, new age vibe associated with Duende that is presented in his work.
One of the recurring tarot symbols Lorca uses would be a horse and rider. In the tarot, a horse symbolizes “strength, motion, action, and vitality” (Symbol Meanings 2), which perfectly aligns with the way the symbol is used by Lorca in the play. Leonardo’s horse is the factor that introduces his relationship with the Bride because of its sweat. The horse's sweat gives