Of the often-seen features on the card, the cliff, Sun, and mountaintops first appeared in the Waite-Smith deck. The bag tied on the stick, the walking staff, the dog, and the clown-like costume are ancient elements of the design, going back to at least 1500.

The Fool has never been called anything else. In Italian, it is il matto, in French le mat or sometimes le fou (both having essentially the same meaning).

In the antique decks (before Waite-Smith), the Fool is almost always unnumbered, even though the rest of the major arcana bear roman numerals I through XXI. There are a few exceptions: two old decks (including the 15th-century Sola Busca) label the card with a "0", and the Belgian Tarot designs (made by various manufacturers in the 18th century) label the Fool as "XXII". [link]

Basic Tarot Story

With all his worldly possessions in one small pack, the Fool travels he knows not where. So filled with visions and daydreams is he, that he doesn't see the cliff he is likely to fall over. At his heel, a small dog harries him (or tries to warn him of a possible mis-step).

Basic Tarot Meaning

The Fool is the card of infinite possibilities. The bag on the staff indicates that he has all he needs to do or be anything he wants, he has only to stop and unpack. He is on his way to a brand new beginning. But the card carries a little bark of warning as well. Stop daydreaming and fantasizing and watch your step, lest you fall and end up looking the fool.

Medium: Pen, Coloured pencil, Marker