memorize the meaning of the tarot
Tarot card imagery and meanings
To become proficient in Tarot, it is essential to understand the meanings of all 78 cards. This challenge can be quite daunting, but we have crafted 78 distinct descriptors which will help you understand the symbolism and imagery contained in each card.
traditional imagery and meaning
The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana, comprising 22 cards, represents the spiritual and psychological archetypes that embody significant life lessons and deep human experiences. These cards hold profound symbolism and powerful messages, guiding individuals on their path of self-discovery and personal growth.
The Fool is depicted as a young, carefree traveler carrying a small knapsack and a white rose. The rose symbolizes innocence and purity, while the knapsack represents the Fool’s journey and experiences. The traveler stands on a cliff’s edge, about to step off into the unknown, showing spontaneity and fearlessness.
The background features a bright sun, indicating the beginning of a new day and the start of a new adventure. The mountains represent the challenges ahead, while the dog at the Fool’s feet signifies loyalty and companionship.
In the reversed position, the Fool’s carefree attitude may be seen as reckless and thoughtless, leading to potential dangers and mishaps. The dog might represent warnings or intuition that is being ignored, while the cliff’s edge emphasizes the possibility of missteps and poor decisions.
The Magician is depicted standing before a table, displaying the symbols of the four tarot suits: the cup, the sword, the pentacle, and the wand. These represent the elements of water, air, earth, and fire, as well as the various aspects of life: emotions, thoughts, material matters, and actions.
One hand points towards the heavens, while the other points to the earth, symbolizing the Magician’s ability to channel divine energy into the physical world. The infinity symbol above his head indicates mastery and limitless potential, while the snake belt represents wisdom and transformation.
When reversed, the Magician’s powers may be misused or manipulated, leading to deception and trickery. The connection between heaven and earth may be disrupted, suggesting a lack of focus or clarity, and the potential for wasted energy and missed opportunities.
The High Priestess is seated between two pillars, one black and one white, representing duality and balance. The pillars are inscribed with the letters ‘B’ and ‘J,’ symbolizing Boaz and Jachin, the pillars from Solomon’s Temple. The veil behind her features pomegranates and palm leaves, representing fertility and spiritual enlightenment.
She holds a scroll marked with the word “Tora,” signifying divine knowledge and wisdom. The crescent moon at her feet symbolizes intuition, while the crown on her head, shaped like the Hathor headdress and solar disk, represents divine authority and feminine power.
In the reversed position, the High Priestess may indicate a lack of intuition, hidden agendas, or an inability to access inner wisdom. The veil and pillars may represent barriers to understanding, suggesting a need to seek clarity and trust in one’s inner guidance.
The Empress is depicted seated on a throne in a lush, fertile landscape, symbolizing abundance, growth, and nurturing. She wears a crown adorned with twelve stars, representing the zodiac signs, and a long flowing dress decorated with pomegranates, a symbol of fertility.
Her scepter signifies her authority over the material world, while the shield at her feet, bearing the symbol of Venus, represents love, beauty, and sensuality. The flowing river and the wheat fields in the background emphasize the ideas of life, sustenance, and abundance.
When reversed, The Empress may suggest stagnation, overindulgence, or a lack of nurturing and support. The abundant landscape may appear neglected or unproductive, indicating potential difficulties with relationships, finances, or personal growth.
The Emperor is depicted seated on a stone throne, wearing a red robe and a golden crown, symbolizing his power and authority. He holds an ankh scepter in one hand, representing life and vitality, and a globe in the other, signifying his dominion over the world.
Behind him, the backdrop features a barren landscape and imposing mountains, reflecting the Emperor’s strength, stability, and determination. The ram’s heads on his throne and shoulders are associated with the zodiac sign Aries, emphasizing his assertiveness and leadership qualities.
In the reversed position, The Emperor may indicate an abuse of power, inflexibility, or a lack of self-discipline. The barren landscape could suggest a failure to provide stability or security, while the ram’s heads might represent stubbornness or a refusal to compromise.
The Hierophant is depicted as a religious figure seated between two pillars, symbolizing the bridge between the spiritual and material worlds. He wears a red robe and a three-tiered crown, representing the three realms of existence: physical, mental, and spiritual.
In one hand, he holds a scepter topped with a triple cross, signifying his spiritual authority. Two followers kneel before him, representing the importance of spiritual guidance and adherence to tradition. The keys at his feet symbolize the keys to spiritual knowledge and wisdom.
When reversed, The Hierophant may suggest a challenge to traditional values, spiritual confusion, or excessive dogmatism. The pillars and crown could appear unstable or askew, indicating a potential crisis of faith or a need for greater flexibility in one’s beliefs.
The Lovers card features a man and a woman standing in a garden beneath the radiant sun and an angel, symbolizing harmony, love, and divine guidance. The man looks at the woman, while the woman looks up at the angel, representing the balance between earthly desires and spiritual aspirations.
The garden symbolizes growth, fertility, and abundance, while the mountains in the background represent challenges and spiritual ascent. The tree with the serpent and the tree with the flaming fruit signify the duality of human nature and the choices we must make in life.
In the reversed position, The Lovers may indicate disharmony, imbalance, or difficult choices in relationships or personal values. The sun and angel may appear obscured or distant, suggesting a lack of clarity or guidance in matters of the heart.
The Chariot card shows a warrior standing in a chariot pulled by two sphinxes, one black and one white, representing the duality of life and the need for balance. The warrior wears a suit of armor adorned with crescent moons, stars, and alchemical symbols, indicating the merging of inner and outer strength.
He holds a wand, symbolizing his willpower and determination, while the city in the background represents the achievements he has conquered. The canopy above him is decorated with celestial symbols, signifying divine protection and guidance.
When reversed, The Chariot may suggest a loss of control, a lack of direction, or obstacles in one’s path. The sphinxes could appear unruly, symbolizing internal conflict or external challenges preventing progress.
Strength depicts a woman gently taming a ferocious lion with her calm and loving demeanor, symbolizing the power of inner strength, patience, and compassion. The woman wears a white robe, representing purity, and a garland of flowers around her waist, signifying the integration of her spiritual and physical natures.
The infinity symbol above her head suggests the limitless potential of human spirit and the connection between the conscious and unconscious minds. The serene landscape in the background represents the harmony achieved through the balance of inner and outer forces.
In the reversed position, Strength may indicate a lack of inner strength, self-doubt, or an inability to tame one’s instincts. The lion could appear aggressive or restless, reflecting feelings of frustration or imbalance.
The Hermit shows an old man standing on a mountain peak, holding a lantern that illuminates his path. The lantern symbolizes wisdom and inner guidance, while the staff he carries represents the support of his spiritual journey. The snowy mountains signify the isolation and introspection required for spiritual growth.
The Hermit’s grey cloak symbolizes his detachment from worldly distractions, as he seeks enlightenment through solitude and meditation.
When reversed, The Hermit may indicate excessive isolation, loneliness, or withdrawal from the world. The lantern’s light could appear dim, suggesting a lack of clarity or difficulty in finding one’s inner guidance.
In the enchanted realm of Fortuna, the great Wheel of Fortune spun, determining the fate of all who lived within its borders. As the wheel turned, it brought cycles of change, fortune, and growth to the inhabitants, teaching them the importance of embracing the ever-shifting currents of life.
The mystical wheel symbolizes the upright Wheel of Fortune card, representing cycles, destiny, and the ever-changing nature of life. The wheel’s constant motion serves as a reminder that nothing is permanent, and we must learn to adapt and find harmony within the ebb and flow of existence.
But when the wheel spun out of control or brought forth challenging circumstances, it tested the resilience of the people. This adversity signifies the reversed Wheel of Fortune card, cautioning against resistance to change, misfortune, and the need to cultivate adaptability and resilience in the face of life’s fluctuations.
Justice shows a woman sitting on a stone throne, holding a sword in one hand and scales in the other. The sword symbolizes truth and the ability to make fair decisions, while the scales represent balance and impartial judgment. The woman wears a red robe and a crown, signifying her authority and the importance of making decisions based on reason and logic.
The stone pillars behind her and the purple drapery signify stability and spiritual wisdom, while the square at her feet represents the foundation of law and order.
When reversed, Justice may indicate injustice, unfairness, or a lack of accountability. The scales could appear imbalanced, suggesting an uneven distribution of consequences or an inability to make impartial decisions.
The Hanged Man depicts a man hanging upside-down from a wooden cross, with his hands tied behind his back and his right leg crossed behind his left. This position represents surrender, letting go, and seeing things from a different perspective. The man’s serene facial expression suggests inner peace and acceptance of his situation.
The tree and the cross symbolize the connection between heaven and earth, while the man’s bright halo indicates spiritual enlightenment and the ability to rise above material concerns.
In the reversed position, The Hanged Man may indicate resistance to change, stubbornness, or an unwillingness to let go of old patterns. The man’s face could appear tense, reflecting an inner struggle or difficulty in accepting a new perspective.
Death portrays a skeletal figure on a white horse, holding a black flag with a white rose. The skeleton represents the inevitability of change and transformation, while the white horse signifies purity and the movement from one phase of life to another. The black flag with a white rose symbolizes the balance between life and death, renewal, and rebirth.
The various figures in the scene, including a king, a bishop, and a child, illustrate that death and transformation are universal experiences, affecting everyone regardless of their status or age.
When reversed, Death may suggest resistance to change, fear of the unknown, or an inability to let go of the past. The horse could appear to be standing still, reflecting stagnation or reluctance to move forward.
Temperance shows an angel standing by a stream, pouring water between two cups. The angel represents balance, harmony, and spiritual guidance, while the water symbolizes the flow of emotions and the blending of opposites. The angel’s wings and the golden halo signify divine wisdom and higher consciousness.
The landscape in the background, with its green grass and flowers, illustrates the fertile ground created through the harmonious integration of different aspects of life.
In the reversed position, Temperance may indicate imbalance, excess, or a lack of harmony in one’s life. The water could appear to be spilling, suggesting difficulty in finding the right balance or maintaining emotional equilibrium.
The Devil card features a horned and winged creature with the body of a human and the legs of a goat. The creature holds a flaming torch, symbolizing power, temptation, and desire. The two figures chained to the pedestal represent the bondage to materialism and unhealthy attachments.
The inverted pentagram on the creature’s forehead signifies the inversion of spiritual values, while the dark, barren landscape in the background indicates the desolation caused by giving in to destructive behaviors.
When reversed, The Devil suggests breaking free from restrictions, overcoming temptations, or gaining control over one’s life. It can also indicate a period of self-reflection and the realization that change is necessary to find balance and happiness.
The Tower card shows a tall tower being struck by lightning, with flames engulfing the structure and people falling from the windows. The lightning represents sudden upheaval and destruction, while the falling figures symbolize the collapse of false beliefs or illusions.
The crown falling from the tower signifies the loss of power or authority, and the stormy sky in the background indicates the turmoil and chaos associated with unexpected change.
In the reversed position, The Tower can represent the avoidance of disaster or the ability to mitigate the effects of a sudden change. It may also suggest personal transformation or a rebuilding process after a difficult period.
The Star card depicts a naked woman kneeling by a pool of water, pouring liquid from two jugs, one into the water and the other onto the earth. The woman represents spiritual nourishment and emotional healing, while the water symbolizes the subconscious mind and the flow of life.
In the sky above, a large star is surrounded by seven smaller stars, representing divine guidance and the hope that comes from connecting with one’s higher self. The lush, green landscape and the ibis bird in the background symbolize the beauty and abundance that can be found when we tap into our inner wisdom.
When reversed, The Star may suggest a lack of faith, feelings of despair, or a disconnection from one’s spiritual path. It can also indicate the need to rekindle hope and trust in the universe’s ability to guide and support us.
The Moon card shows a full moon illuminating a dark, mysterious landscape. Below the moon, a path leads between two towers and past a pool, where a crayfish emerges from the water. The crayfish represents the subconscious mind and the primal instincts, while the two towers symbolize duality and the struggle between light and darkness.
The howling dog and wolf on either side of the path signify the wild, untamed nature of the mind, while the moon itself represents intuition, mystery, and the unknown.
In the reversed position, The Moon can indicate confusion, illusion, or the need to confront one’s fears and hidden emotions. It may also suggest the emergence of psychic or intuitive abilities and the importance of trusting one’s inner guidance.
As dawn broke over the lush valley, the Sun rose high above the horizon, filling the world with warmth and light. The people rejoiced in the Sun’s radiant embrace, celebrating the abundance of life and the boundless joy of existence.
The Sun’s life-giving warmth represents the upright Sun card, symbolizing vitality, joy, and success. The Sun’s brilliant light serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing positivity and recognizing the abundance of blessings in our lives.
But when the Sun’s light was obscured by clouds or eclipsed by darkness, the people’s spirits dampened, and their joy faded. This temporary loss of light represents the reversed Sun card, warning against pessimism, lack of confidence, and the need to rediscover our inner radiance.
The World card depicts a dancing figure wrapped in a flowing scarf, symbolizing the joy and freedom of self-expression. The figure is encircled by a laurel wreath, representing victory, success, and accomplishment.
In each corner of the card are the four fixed signs of the Zodiac: the bull (Taurus), the lion (Leo), the eagle (Scorpio), and the human (Aquarius), symbolizing the harmony of the material and spiritual worlds. The World signifies the completion of a cycle, wholeness, and a sense of fulfillment.
When reversed, The World card may suggest delays, unfinished business, or a lack of closure. It can also indicate a need for greater self-awareness, personal growth, and the realization of one’s potential to overcome obstacles and achieve success.
It is important to study the Tarot meanings so that you can let the guiding light of your own intuition shine through during a session. This will help you connect to the universal underlying truths hidden within the cards.
“Great! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed ornare in felis vel commodo.”
Lisa Jons
Waitress
“Great! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed ornare in felis vel commodo.”
Andrew Goldman
Manager
“Great! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed ornare in felis vel commodo.”
Dora Parker
Project manager
Ask one question for free
