Are you getting confused between the Radiant Rider Waite and Universal Waite? Well, you have come to the right place.
With so many decks to choose from, how can you tell which one is right for you? It depends on what you’re looking for. Some decks are good for beginners, others for experts. Some decks are focused on magic, others on divination. Moreover, some decks are beautiful to look at, while others are more practical. If you’re not sure which deck to buy, here’s a guide to get you started.
The Rider-Waite Tarot is one of the most popular tarot decks in use today, but how does it differ from the other major deck, the Universal Waite Tarot? There are several differences between the two. The most obvious being that the Rider company commissioned the Rider-Waite specifically to be their tarot deck. The Universal Waite was a project by an artist to create his own tarot deck.
This means that the Rider-Waite has several images that were designed specifically for this deck. In contrast, the Universal Waite was designed to be an independent deck, not tied to any specific company.
Another important difference is the actual design of the cards. Radiant Rider Waite and Universal Deck both are re-colored and re-print versions of the original Rider Waite deck.
Radiant Rider Waite Vs. Universal Waite
Check out below for further Details.
Radiant Rider Waite Tarot Deck
The Rider-Waite tarot cards, also known as the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, is the first and most widely known tarot deck created for the western world. It was commissioned in 1910 by the prominent member of the Theosophical Society, Arthur Edward Waite, and was illustrated by the equally legendary and influential artist, Pamela Colman Smith.
- Colman Smith, Pamela (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2023-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The deck was first published in 1909, and, except a few changes were made at the request of Waite himself, the deck’s images and their accompanying explanations were left unchanged.
The radiant Rider Waite deck is the same version as the Rider Waite deck. It is a faithful re-drawing of Pamela Coleman Smith’s design.
All the artwork of Pamela Coleman has been updated with vibrant color in all the cards. The back of the cards has been changed to provide a star-filled design. The deck brightness and subtle shading highlight the symbols that focus the readers on getting insight through the reading.
It is available in the English language. It comes with a weight of 6.7 ounces, and its dimension is 2.75*1.25*4.25 inches.
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Universal Waite Tarot Deck
When you start learning about the Tarot, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed! There are so many different styles of Tarot decks to choose from, each with a different feel. But if you’re looking for a classic deck that can communicate insights from the traditional symbolism in every card, Universal Waite is probably your best bet.
It’s a Tarot deck that’s been around for more than a century, and it has the most conservative symbology of any modern deck.
- Hanson-Roberts, Mary (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2023-03-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Universal Waite was developed in the early twentieth century by artist Pamela Colman Smith as the successor to the Rider-Waite tarot deck. The cards of the Universal Waite draw on the symbolism of the Rider-Waite but uses simpler illustrations. This makes the deck easier to interpret and the meanings of the cards easier to memorize. The Universal Waite is considered a good starter deck for people who are just learning to read tarot cards.
This deck comes with the original artwork of the Rider Waite deck. The only difference is that Mary Hanson Roberts re-colored all the cards and gave clarity and new details to the deck.
The back of the card has been changed and gives a metallic gold sheen star. This deck features a perfect deck for meditation as it is used for occult practices.
The deck was issued on June 10, 1992, by the US games system ltd. It is composed in the English language. It comes with a weight and dimensions of 8.8 ounces and 3*1.25*5 inches.
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Review of the Differences Between the Radiant Rider Waite and Universal Waite
Radiant Waite has re-colored Pamela Smith’s design but doesn’t have smith’s original artwork, whereas Universal Waite also re-colored, but it has smith’s original artwork.
Both the deck has 78 cards, just in the radiant Rider Waite, smith’s thick and black outline removed from the card whereas universal Waite has a black outline like the Rider Waite deck.
Both the deck re-colored just the universal Waite comes with updated color, but it also provides valuable and proper details missing in the original deck.
Radiant Waite deck has a Subtle shading design, whereas Universal Waite has no shading color, just the colors are brightened.
In Radiant Rider Waite. The back of the card design has a yellow star with a navy blue background, whereas Universal Waite is darker in the shade and provides a start with a golden metallic sheen.
Last update on 2023-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion:
So, we hope that you have got the differences between the Radiant Rider Waite and Universal Waite. Both decks are nicer according to their features, but universal has original linework where radiant misses in those features.
So, it all depends on you. You can choose any of the decks which you want.
Feel free to choose. Happy Shopping.
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