Playing cards, a staple in games worldwide, have a rich history filled with royal and legendary figures. The Kings, Queens, and Jacks depicted on cards often represent historical and mythical personalities such as King David, Charlemagne, Athena, and Lancelot. Originating in China in the 7th century, playing cards traveled through Persia and India before arriving in Europe, where their designs took on biblical and European influences. Initially exclusive to the wealthy due to their hand-painted nature, cards became accessible to all with the advent of block printing. Despite periodic bans by authorities, card games flourished, culminating in the creation of the Joker in the United States, a card that could even outrank royalty.