There have always been four suits in use, but the symbols used had
varied in different countries. Originally they were cups, money, swords
and clubs. These are still retained in Italian and Spanish cards. Old
German cards have acorns, leaves, hearts and bells. The French cards
used spades and clubs, hearts and diamonds. The word “spade” comes
from the Italian word meaning a sword. The club sign was adopted from
the three-leaf clover. Many of the packs used last century were very
costly and artistic. They were painted by hand to represent historic
characters.