Universal Waite Tarot vs Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot

A comparison the Universal Waite Tarot and the Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot, both published by US Games.

[@JMulvy]

As an artist myself, removing the PCS signature is sacrilege. I mean PCS went through enough BS to just get recognized as the original artist because she was a woman, and removing her tiny contribution from each card just feels like adding insult to injury. Roberts knew what she was doing. She could have covered it up too or replaced it with her own, but she did the right thing instead. I am so glad I have the Universal deck, both standard and mini because I like the art style so much.

[@RootsAndWaves]

The U.S. Games copyright on the cards _annoys_ me! Gah! lol 🥴 I find it fascinating how something as simple as a change in colour and line art can change how a deck reads for me. Hence the reason I have many decks, I suppose. 🙃Thank you for offering this comparison, Bronwyn. ❤

[@heathersmith5237]

Really helpful comparison, thank you! Like you, I prefer the Universal to the Radiant. I have both the original RWS, the colors of which are kind of faded, and the standard RWS in which the colors were redone later but are still more muted than either the Universal or Radiant RWS. I'm considering buying the Universal.

[@ingridakemzuraite]

Thank you for comparing these two side by side! Very useful! What I noticed was that radiant had name of suits on every card while the universal one does not, and only has the name on the mayor arcana and Paige, knight, queen and king. I know it is quite easy to see what suit it is on the card, I guess it is even better to make us use our brain more instead of just seeing it written😀 but somehow having it written seems easier🙈🙃

[@dabsmomos]

Thank-you so much. This was a extremely useful video. I love the side-by-side comparison. It gave me better idea of both the cards. Not many youtubers have done so.

[@vanessacheung7781]

Universal deck is better obviously and has got better clarity in the images.

[@adingtonp]

Thanks for the video. Did you notice the error in the Radiant? The Empress only has 11 stars in her crown, while in the Universal deck the correct 12 stars representing the zodiac-as drawn by Pamela Colman Smith-are found.

[@heathersmith5237]

Wow, that's sacrilege! Kind of unbelievable, really. It makes one wonder what other erroneous changes were made to the Radiant RSW.

[@rosetarotrealm]

I love this thank you! I’ve had the universal and decluttered it in favour of a cheaper alternative without the copyright, plus I also own the smith-waite borderless so I didn’t need them all, but I do regret not owning one of these anymore now 😢

[@kri888]

Tysm 😊good explanation and display 🌻

[@sativarosegold3604]

I like certain colors and drawings better on the Radiant but prefer the font style and size of original. Also prefer the larger size deck (vintage I guess?)

[@ameliacloud2874]

I'm beginning learning Tarot. I bought the radiant deck in smaller size in a tin. It wasn't my first choice tarot deck but obviously I need the original imagery to learn. I am conflicted. Maybe someday I will get the original rw deck to appreciate the original artwork of PCS. I would have liked it if the radiant deck had at least kept the original lettering. But at the same time I have quite modern tastes and like bright colours. I guess it's more important to decide what you connect with.

[@jenniferwright8355]

Another difference is the Roman Numerals on the Universal deck, which was recently a factor in my deciding which deck to give a 19 year old. I know she doesn't yet know Roman Numerals, and I was worried it would scare her off, lol.

[@sativarosegold3604]

When is she going to learn them, when she's 40? 😆

[@8polyglot]

19 and doesn’t yet know Roman numerals? She’d better hurry up!

[@melissagerber7231]

They aren't that hard to learn.

[@astromommy2443]

Thank you for comparing these decks side by side. It is still a toss-up for me, which one I like better...

[@syrenka983]

🌸💮🌸