What Do the Symbols on the Tarot Cards Mean

So, What Do the Symbols on the Tarot Cards Mean?

To begin reading tarot cards, it is helpful to have a general idea of what each card means. This is a listing of general card definitions. To further your understanding of tarot symbols, you may wish to do further research.

Symbols of the Major Arcana

The 22 cards of the Major Arcana symbolize the internal and external human condition. They also represent an archetypical journey taken by a person many times throughout a lifetime. None of these cards are "good" or "bad". The significance of the card is best interpreted by its relationship to the other cards in the spread.

The basic meanings of the cards in the Major Arcana are:

• The Fool: This signals the beginning of a journey. It's about being a child, taking a leap of faith and making an unconventional choice. It might also warn you to be cautious rather than careless.

• The Magician: This car symbolizes strong self-awareness, and being conscious of the consequences of actions taken. Focus on goals and self-discipline to accomplish them. A negative position in a reading can indicate a duplicitous character.

• The High Priestess: Listen to your intuition. Do not linger too long in esoteric thoughts, use your inspiration to create positive action.

• The Empress: The Empress is a mother figure. She may represent love or passion resulting in a new beginning. She speaks to creation, nature and the human senses.

• The Emperor: The Emperor is a father figure, creating stability and order. Follow the rules of a situation, but be cautious of rules that impede progress, question them.

• The Hierophant: This image symbolizes a teacher, along with knowledge and human accomplishments. Respect history and use it to create a better world. Do not blindly follow traditions.

• The Lovers: The Lovers symbolize partnership grounded in emotion and common goals. This card typically heeds you to make balanced choices. Consider all influences and their appeal before committing to an important decision.

• The Chariot: This symbol stands for victory. Focus on your own strength to maintain order among chaos. Have faith in your abilities.

• Strength: Personal fortitude is the main theme of this symbol. Discover the untapped courage and power within you. Become aware of your strengths and use them to your advantage. Do not become corrupted by power.

• The Hermit: The Hermit is all about inner reflection. Take time to examine your own thoughts and actions, be sure you are being true to your beliefs. Trust yourself. Do not withdraw from others out of anger.

• Wheel of Fortune: The Wheel is all about fate, and things beyond our control. Stay centered and do not spend too much time being upset by that which you cannot change. Do not blame circumstances for your mistakes.

• Justice: The past creates the future. Look to the past to discover why things are the way they are now. Take responsibility. Learn from mistakes.

• The Hanging Man: This eccentric character symbolizes knowing when to make appropriate sacrifices even if they seem difficult. Be yourself and let your actions reflect that integrity.

• Death: This card symbolizes changes and endings. Spiritual growth causes pain, so don't fear letting go of the past.

• Temperance: This symbol is about moderation. Approach situations with balanced and appropriate actions. Be aware of extreme behavior. Do not fear making mistakes so much that you do nothing.

• The Devil: The Devil represents destructive practices. The image is a warning to avoid extreme behaviors and beliefs that will cause an imbalance in your life.

• The Tower: The Tower represents loss or destruction, beliefs shattered by a revelation of the truth. Be careful of overreacting to difficulty.

• The Star: This symbol represents peace and hope, better times to come and a hopeful outlook. Accept a positive change. Do not give up.

• The Moon: The Moon speaks of dreams and intuitive thinking. Care for your inner-self and pay attention to its desires and ideals. Face your fear. Be sure to have a clear understanding of a situation.

• The Sun: The Sun represents being at peace with the world, self-awareness and personal contentment with life. Do not become complacent.

• Judgment: This image is a call to action. Face your challenge or mandate with courage and move to action. Do not ignore your calling; be certain it is the universe you are serving and not the will of others.

• The World: This image is about completion, finding unity with universe and oneself, and a natural ease with the world. Be careful of a false sense of security.

Symbols of the Minor Arcana

The other cards in the tarot deck are all parts of various "suits", just like playing cards.

The symbols of the Minor Arcana are:

• Pentacles: The physical world, money, and health

• Wands: Creation, passion, change of circumstance

• Cups: Love, thought, contemplation

• Swords: Courage, challenges, confrontation

More Tarot Resources

If you wish to find a more in-depth answer to "What do the symbols on the tarot cards mean?", take a look at the following tarot resources:

• LoveToKnow: Check out our article on Tarot Symbols.

• The Symbols and Magick of Tarot- A book by Paul V. Beyerl

• Visit Tarot.com for a personal 3-card reading.