Tarot Card Meanings List – 78 Cards By Suit, Element, and …
Tarot Card Meanings List – 78 Cards By Suit, Element, and Zodiac
cups
major arcana
pentacles
swords
wands
The Major Arcana is a 22 card set within the tarot that is considered to be the core and the foundation for the deck. All of the deck is filled with archetypal significance, but this is most pronounced within the Major Arcana. These cards follow a storyline that tells of the spiritual travels taken from the innocent wonder of The Fool to the oneness and fulfillment of The World. In other words, these cards tell the story of humanity’s spiritual evolution into enlightenment and individuation.
And so, as we follow the journey of the Fool, we can start seeing common parallels between our own stages in life and those in the cards, each card teaching a specific lesson and a concept to meditate over. Because they form the basis of the tarot, some readings can sometimes be conducted with only the Major Arcana as well.
The Fool Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: innocence, new beginnings, free spirit
Reversed: recklessness, taken advantage of, inconsideration
Full Tarot Meaning
The Magician Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: willpower, desire, creation, manifestation
Reversed: trickery, illusions, out of touch
Full Tarot Meaning
The High Priestess Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: intuitive, unconscious, inner voice
Reversed: lack of center, lost inner voice, repressed feelings
Full Tarot Meaning
The Empress Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: motherhood, fertility, nature
Reversed: dependence, smothering, emptiness, nosiness
Full Tarot Meaning
The Emperor Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: authority, structure, control, fatherhood
Reversed: tyranny, rigidity, coldness
Full Tarot Meaning
The Hierophant Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: tradition, conformity, morality, ethics
Reversed: rebellion, subversiveness, new approaches
Full Tarot Meaning
The Lovers Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: partnerships, duality, union
Reversed: loss of balance, one-sidedness, disharmony
Full Tarot Meaning
The Chariot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: direction, control, willpower
Reversed: lack of control, lack of direction, aggression
Full Tarot Meaning
Strength Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: inner strength, bravery, compassion, focus
Reversed: self doubt, weakness, insecurity
Full Tarot Meaning
The Hermit Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: contemplation, search for truth, inner guidance
Reversed: loneliness, isolation, lost your way
Full Tarot Meaning
The Wheel of Fortune Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: change, cycles, inevitable fate
Reversed: no control, clinging to control, bad luck
Full Tarot Meaning
Justice Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: cause and effect, clarity, truth
Reversed: dishonesty, unaccountability, unfairness
Full Tarot Meaning
The Hanged Man Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: sacrifice, release, martyrdom
Reversed: stalling, needless sacrifice, fear of sacrifice
Full Tarot Meaning
Death Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: end of cycle, beginnings, change, metamorphosis
Reversed: fear of change, holding on, stagnation, decay
Full Tarot Meaning
Temperance Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: middle path, patience, finding meaning
Reversed: extremes, excess, lack of balance
Full Tarot Meaning
The Devil Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: addiction, materialism, playfulness
Reversed: freedom, release, restoring control
Full Tarot Meaning
The Tower Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: sudden upheaval, broken pride, disaster
Reversed: disaster avoided, delayed disaster, fear of suffering
Full Tarot Meaning
The Star Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: hope, faith, rejuvenation
Reversed: faithlessness, discouragement, insecurity
Full Tarot Meaning
The Moon Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: unconscious, illusions, intuition
Reversed: confusion, fear, misinterpretation
Full Tarot Meaning
The Sun Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: joy, success, celebration, positivity
Reversed: negativity, depression, sadness
Full Tarot Meaning
Judgement Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: reflection, reckoning, awakening
Reversed: lack of self awareness, doubt, self loathing
Full Tarot Meaning
The World Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: fulfillment, harmony, completion
Reversed: incompletion, no closure
Full Tarot Meaning
Associated with the element of fire, the suit of wands represents passion, inspiration and willpower. The wands imbue their users with primal energy, for it is through them that the cycle of creation can begin. Because of their ability to bring energy into any situation, they are also associated with action, ambition and making plans. At their worst, they can refer to situations that are filled with recklessness and lack of direction. As you follow the journey within the wands, you’ll come across these themes again and again.
Learn More about the Suit of Wands
Knight of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: action, adventure, fearlessness
Reversed: anger, impulsiveness, recklessness
Full Tarot Meaning
King of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: big picture, leader, overcoming challenges
Reversed: impulsive, overbearing, unachievable expectations
Full Tarot Meaning
Queen of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: courage, determination, joy
Reversed: selfishness, jealousy, insecurities
Full Tarot Meaning
Page of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: exploration, excitement, freedom
Reversed: lack of direction, procrastination, creating conflict
Full Tarot Meaning
Two of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: planning, making decisions, leaving home
Reversed: fear of change, playing safe, bad planning
Full Tarot Meaning
Three of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: looking ahead, expansion, rapid growth
Reversed: obstacles, delays, frustration
Full Tarot Meaning
Five of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: competition, rivalry, conflict
Reversed: avoiding conflict, respecting differences
Full Tarot Meaning
Six of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: victory, success, public reward
Reversed: excess pride, lack of recognition, punishment
Full Tarot Meaning
Eight of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: rapid action, movement, quick decisions
Reversed: panic, waiting, slowdown
Full Tarot Meaning
Nine of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: resilience, grit, last stand
Reversed: exhaustion, fatigue, questioning motivations
Full Tarot Meaning
Ten of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: accomplishment, responsibility, burden
Reversed: inability to delegate, overstressed, burnt out
Full Tarot Meaning
Ace of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: creation, willpower, inspiration, desire
Reversed: lack of energy, lack of passion, boredom
Full Tarot Meaning
Four of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: community, home, celebration
Reversed: lack of support, transience, home conflicts
Full Tarot Meaning
Seven of Wands Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: perseverance, defensive, maintaining control
Reversed: give up, destroyed confidence, overwhelmed
Full Tarot Meaning
The suit of cups rules over all that is associated with emotions, the unconscious, creativity, and intuition. They frequently talk about relationships, whether romantic or otherwise, and one’s imagination and inner world. They are associated with the element of water, which becomes a frequent visual theme within this suit. At their worst, the cups suit is fret with uncontrolled feelings, fantasy, and a disconnect with one’s inner voice.
Learn More about the Suit of Cups
Ace of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: new feelings, spirituality, intuition
Reversed: emotional loss, blocked creativity, emptiness
Full Tarot Meaning
Two of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: unity, partnership, connection
Reversed: imbalance, broken communication, tension
Full Tarot Meaning
Three of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: friendship, community, happiness
Reversed: overindulgence, gossip, isolation
Full Tarot Meaning
Four of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: apathy, contemplation, disconnectedness
Reversed: sudden awareness, choosing happiness, acceptance
Full Tarot Meaning
Five of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: loss, grief, self-pity
Reversed: acceptance, moving on, finding peace
Full Tarot Meaning
Six of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: familiarity, happy memories, healing
Reversed: moving forward, leaving home, independence
Full Tarot Meaning
Seven of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: searching for purpose, choices, daydreaming
Reversed: lack of purpose, diversion, confusion
Full Tarot Meaning
Eight of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: walking away, disillusionment, leaving behind
Reversed: avoidance, fear of change, fear of loss
Full Tarot Meaning
Nine of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: satisfaction, emotional stability, luxury
Reversed: lack of inner joy, smugness, dissatisfaction
Full Tarot Meaning
Ten of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: inner happiness, fulfillment, dreams coming true
Reversed: shattered dreams, broken family, domestic disharmony
Full Tarot Meaning
Page of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: happy surprise, dreamer, sensitivity
Reversed: emotional immaturity, insecurity, disappointment
Full Tarot Meaning
Knight of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: following the heart, idealist, romantic
Reversed: moodiness, disappointment
Full Tarot Meaning
Queen of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: compassion, calm, comfort
Reversed: martyrdom, insecurity, dependence
Full Tarot Meaning
King of Cups Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: compassion, control, balance
Reversed: coldness, moodiness, bad advice
Full Tarot Meaning
The swords is the suit of intelligence, logic, truth, ambition, conflict and communication. It is associated with the element of air. In readings, these cards focus on the faculty and power of intellect, which like the swords themselves, are double-edged. This can be used for both good or evil, to help and to harm, and our greatest conflicts usually come from this delicate balance. At their worst, the swords can be abusive, harsh, and lack empathy.
Learn More about the Suit of Swords
King of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: head over heart, discipline, truth
Reversed: manipulative, cruel, weakness
Full Tarot Meaning
Knight of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: action, impulsiveness, defending beliefs
Reversed: no direction, disregard for consequences, unpredictability
Full Tarot Meaning
Queen of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: complexity, perceptiveness, clear mindedness
Reversed: cold hearted, cruel, bitterness
Full Tarot Meaning
Page of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: curiosity, restlessness, mental energy
Reversed: deception, manipulation, all talk
Full Tarot Meaning
Ten of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: failure, collapse, defeat
Reversed: can’t get worse, only upwards, inevitable end
Full Tarot Meaning
Nine of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: anxiety, hopelessness, trauma
Reversed: hope, reaching out, despair
Full Tarot Meaning
Eight of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: imprisonment, entrapment, self-victimization
Reversed: self acceptance, new perspective, freedom
Full Tarot Meaning
Seven of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: deception, trickery, tactics and strategy
Reversed: coming clean, rethinking approach, deception
Full Tarot Meaning
Six of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: transition, leaving behind, moving on
Reversed: emotional baggage, unresolved issues, resisting transition
Full Tarot Meaning
Five of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: unbridled ambition, win at all costs, sneakiness
Reversed: lingering resentment, desire to reconcile, forgiveness
Full Tarot Meaning
Three of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: heartbreak, suffering, grief
Reversed: recovery, forgiveness, moving on
Full Tarot Meaning
Four of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: rest, restoration, contemplation
Reversed: restlessness, burnout, stress
Full Tarot Meaning
Two of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: difficult choices, indecision, stalemate
Reversed: lesser of two evils, no right choice, confusion
Full Tarot Meaning
Ace of Swords Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: breakthrough, clarity, sharp mind
Reversed: confusion, brutality, chaos
Full Tarot Meaning
The pentacles is the suit of all things worldly and material. Though we will immediately think of the pentacles as relating to financial matters, we also can understand them as being associated with security, stability, nature, health, and prosperity. The pentacles are of earth element. When we see pentacles show up in a reading, they are usually concerned with your long term future, career, generosity, your household, business investments and your feelings of sensuality. The negative side of the pentacles show up as greed, jealousy, miserliness, and unbridled ambition at the cost of all else.
Learn More about the Suit of Pentacles
King of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: abundance, prosperity, security
Reversed: greed, indulgence, sensuality
Full Tarot Meaning
Queen of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: practicality, creature comforts, financial security
Reversed: self-centeredness, jealousy, smothering
Full Tarot Meaning
Knight of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: efficiency, hard work, responsibility
Reversed: laziness, obsessiveness, work without reward
Full Tarot Meaning
Page of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: ambition, desire, diligence
Reversed: lack of commitment, greediness, laziness
Full Tarot Meaning
Ten of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: legacy, culmination, inheritance
Reversed: fleeting success, lack of stability, lack of resources
Full Tarot Meaning
Nine of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: fruits of labor, rewards, luxury
Reversed: reckless spending, living beyond means, false success
Full Tarot Meaning
Eight of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: apprenticeship, passion, high standards
Reversed: lack of passion, uninspired, no motivation
Full Tarot Meaning
Seven of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: hard work, perseverance, diligence
Reversed: work without results, distractions, lack of rewards
Full Tarot Meaning
Six of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: charity, generosity, sharing
Reversed: strings attached, stinginess, power and domination
Full Tarot Meaning
Five of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: need, poverty, insecurity
Reversed: recovery, charity, improvement
Full Tarot Meaning
Four of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: conservation, frugality, security
Reversed: greediness, stinginess, possessiveness
Full Tarot Meaning
Three of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: teamwork, collaboration, building
Reversed: lack of teamwork, disorganized, group conflict
Full Tarot Meaning
Two of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: balancing decisions, priorities, adapting to change
Reversed: loss of balance, disorganized, overwhelmed
Full Tarot Meaning
Ace of Pentacles Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦
Upright: opportunity, prosperity, new venture
Reversed: lost opportunity, missed chance, bad investment
Full Tarot Meaning
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Learn Tarot Card Meanings
Learn Tarot Card Meanings
Every Tarot card in the deck has its own unique meaning. When you know what each Tarot card means, you can understand the messages and advice they are trying to send you! Click on any Tarot card below to learn its meaning.
Tarot Cards FAQ
Major Arcana
The Major Arcana Tarot cards reveal messages about the big picture of your life and its long-term direction.
The Fool
The Magician
The High Priestess
The Empress
The Emperor
The Hierophant
The Lovers
The Chariot
Strength
The Hermit
Wheel of Fortune
Justice
The Hanged Man
Death
Temperance
The Devil
The Tower
The Star
The Moon
The Sun
Judgement
The World
The Wands
The Wands cards are about action, initiative, and invention. They help to guide how you move through your life, advising when to move and when to hold back.
Ace of Wands
Two of Wands
Three of Wands
Four of Wands
Five of Wands
Six of Wands
Seven of Wands
Eight of Wands
Nine of Wands
Ten of Wands
Page of Wands
Knight of Wands
Queen of Wands
King of Wands
The Cups
The Cups cards represent your emotions, intuition, and relationships. They can guide you in love and help you understand and process your highest and lowest feelings.
Ace of Cups
Two of Cups
Three of Cups
Four of Cups
Five of Cups
Six of Cups
Seven of Cups
Eight of Cups
Nine of Cups
Ten of Cups
Page of Cups
Knight of Cups
Queen of Cups
King of Cups
The Swords
The Swords cards are all about challenges. They can tell you when conflict and heartache are looming and help you harness the strength of your own mind.
Ace of Swords
Two of Swords
Three of Swords
Four of Swords
Five of Swords
Six of Swords
Seven of Swords
Eight of Swords
Nine of Swords
Ten of Swords
Page of Swords
Knight of Swords
Queen of Swords
King of Swords
The Pentacles
The Pentacles cards are associated with your work, finances, and domestic life. They can answer questions about your personal goals and your money, family, and health.
Ace of Coins
Two of Coins
Three of Coins
Four of Coins
Five of Coins
Six of Coins
Seven of Coins
Eight of Coins
Nine of Coins
Ten of Coins
Page of Coins
Knight of Coins
Queen of Coins
King of Coins
Tarot cards are small, paper cards that come in a deck, similar to playing cards, and are used for divinatory purposes. Each card represents a different archetypal being or lesson. A person shuffles the cards, then lays them out in a Tarot card spread. Understanding what each Tarot card means when it is revealed can help a person receive an important message or embrace a new perspective in any situation. There are 78 Tarot cards in a complete deck. The first 22 are called the Major Arcana Tarot cards. The remaining 56 Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit contains 14 cards, including 10 numbered cards plus a Page, Knight, Queen, and King. There are four basic steps when you’re reading Tarot cards: First, consider your question, then select a Tarot spread with positions that relate to that question. Next, you’ll shuffle the cards and lay them out in that spread, and finally, interpret the cards to answer your question. Anyone can learn how to read Tarot cards. There are many spreads available online to inspire you, and you don’t have to have the meaning of every card memorized — you can look up the meanings by clicking on the cards above! Still, the traditional meaning of the Tarot cards is only part of it — it’s your own emotions and intuition that will help you understand how the cards that are revealed apply to your unique situation. Shuffling the Tarot cards before a reading is essential. It allows you to focus on why you’re doing the reading and to imprint your energy on the cards. Before shuffling, take a moment to relax and tune in to your intuition. Then, mix up the cards in any way that feels right — cut or fan the deck over and over, or simply jumble the cards on the table and put them back together. There is no wrong way to shuffle your Tarot cards. No matter how you shuffle, it’s the intention that really matters. As you shuffle, be present and truly focus on the question for which you need answers. Certainly not. Tarot cards rely on your intuition to shuffle and select the cards and to understand how they apply to you — there is no evil force guiding them. If you’re wondering “Are Tarot cards safe?” then the answer is yes, absolutely. They are not meant to bring forth spirits or bad luck, they are intended to inspire awareness and help you discover healthy and successful ways to approach any part of your life. Each Major Arcana Tarot card represents a powerful archetype, so you may wonder, “What Tarot card am I?” There’s one specific Tarot card that is your Tarot Birth Card — it’s connected to your birth date and acts as a reminder of the unique power within you. Discover the rich symbolism in your Tarot Birth Card and how it acts as your secret weapon… While there are Tarot card decks available in many specialty shops and online, we have a huge selection of Tarot decks right here on Tarot.com that is unlike any other on the Internet! From deck information to the individual card artwork in each deck, we’re sure you’ll find one that’s just right for YOU. Once you see one you like, just click Buy This Tarot Deck! You don’t have to do a major reading to benefit from the wisdom of Tarot cards. A Daily Tarot card provides valuable insight into the energies influencing you at this very moment — or guidance for any situation that will unfold for you throughout the day. The advice of just one Tarot card a day can help you approach whatever is happening to you with greater clarity and empowerment.
Tarot cards FAQ’s
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