Tarot Card Meanings
Complete reference guide to all 78 tarot cards. Learn upright and reversed meanings for every card in the Major and Minor Arcana.
Showing 78 of 78 cards
The Fool represents new beginnings and infinite possibilities. Standing at the edge of a cliff, The Fool is about to step into the unknown with optimism and faith.
Upright
New beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a free spirit taking a leap of faith.
Reversed
Recklessness, taken advantage of, inconsideration, foolishness.
The Magician represents manifestation and taking action. With tools of all four suits before him, he has everything needed to manifest his desires.
Upright
Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action, taking control.
Reversed
Manipulation, poor planning, untapped talents, illusions, trickery.
The High Priestess sits at the gate between conscious and subconscious, representing intuition, mystery, and accessing hidden knowledge.
Upright
Intuition, sacred knowledge, divine feminine, the subconscious mind.
Reversed
Secrets, disconnected from intuition, withdrawal, silence, repressed feelings.
The Empress represents feminine energy, abundance, and natural growth. She is Mother Earth, providing nurturing care and endless abundance.
Upright
Femininity, beauty, nature, nurturing, abundance, fertility.
Reversed
Creative block, dependence on others, smothering, lack of growth.
The Emperor represents authority, structure, and fatherly guidance. He sits on his throne with stability and creates order from chaos.
Upright
Authority, establishment, structure, father figure, control.
Reversed
Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility.
The Hierophant represents tradition, conventional wisdom, and established institutions. He is the keeper of sacred knowledge and spiritual teacher.
Upright
Spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition, institutions.
Reversed
Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo, rebellion.
The Lovers represent relationships, choices, and alignment of values. This card speaks to both romantic partnerships and important life decisions.
Upright
Love, harmony, relationships, values alignment, choices.
Reversed
Self-love, disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values.
The Chariot represents victory through determination and self-discipline. The charioteer controls opposing forces through sheer willpower.
Upright
Control, willpower, success, action, determination, focus.
Reversed
Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction, scattered energy.
Strength represents inner power, courage, and compassion. It shows mastery over instincts through love and gentle persuasion rather than force.
Upright
Strength, courage, persuasion, influence, compassion, patience.
Reversed
Inner strength, self-doubt, low energy, raw emotion.
The Hermit represents introspection and inner wisdom. He holds a lantern to light the way, seeking truth through solitude and reflection.
Upright
Soul searching, introspection, being alone, inner guidance, wisdom.
Reversed
Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal, paranoia, losing your way.
The Wheel of Fortune represents the cycles of life, karma, and destiny. What goes up must come down, and vice versa.
Upright
Good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, a turning point.
Reversed
Bad luck, resistance to change, breaking cycles, setbacks.
Justice represents fairness, truth, and the law of cause and effect. She weighs all evidence objectively before making decisions.
Upright
Justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law, accountability.
Reversed
Unfairness, lack of accountability, dishonesty, legal complications.
The Hanged Man represents voluntary suspension and seeing things from a new angle. Sometimes we must pause and surrender to gain clarity.
Upright
Pause, surrender, letting go, new perspectives, sacrifice.
Reversed
Delays, resistance, stalling, indecision, missed opportunities.
Death represents endings and transformation, not physical death. It is about letting go of the old to make way for rebirth and new beginnings.
Upright
Endings, change, transformation, transition, letting go.
Reversed
Resistance to change, personal transformation, inner purging.
Temperance represents balance, moderation, and finding the middle path. The angel blends water between cups, creating perfect harmony.
Upright
Balance, moderation, patience, purpose, meaning, harmony.
Reversed
Imbalance, excess, self-healing, re-alignment, rushed progress.
The Devil represents bondage to material world and unhealthy attachments. The chains are loose - we have the power to free ourselves.
Upright
Shadow self, attachment, addiction, restriction, sexuality.
Reversed
Releasing limiting beliefs, exploring dark thoughts, detachment.
The Tower represents sudden upheaval and revelation. Lightning strikes destroy false structures, forcing transformation and liberation.
Upright
Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening, liberation.
Reversed
Personal transformation, fear of change, averting disaster.
The Star represents hope, faith, and spiritual renewal after crisis. She pours water freely, trusting the universe will provide.
Upright
Hope, faith, purpose, renewal, spirituality, healing, inspiration.
Reversed
Lack of faith, despair, self-trust, disconnection, hopelessness.
The Moon represents illusion, intuition, and the mysterious realm of the subconscious. Not everything is as it appears.
Upright
Illusion, fear, anxiety, subconscious, intuition, mystery.
Reversed
Release of fear, repressed emotion, inner confusion, clarity.
The Sun represents success, vitality, and pure joy. All is illuminated in the light of consciousness and celebration.
Upright
Success, radiance, abundance, joy, positivity, vitality, confidence.
Reversed
Inner child, feeling down, overly optimistic, delayed success.
Judgement represents reflection, evaluation, and spiritual awakening. It is a time of reckoning and rebirth to a higher level.
Upright
Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution, evaluation.
Reversed
Self-doubt, inner critic, ignoring the call, lack of self-awareness.
The World represents completion of a cycle and achievement of goals. You have accomplished what you set out to do and are ready for the next phase.
Upright
Completion, integration, accomplishment, travel, fulfillment.
Reversed
Seeking personal closure, short-cuts, delays, incomplete.
The Ace of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 1. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The 2 of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 2. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The 3 of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 3. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The 4 of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 4. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The 5 of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 5. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The 6 of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 6. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The 7 of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 7. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The 8 of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 8. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The 9 of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 9. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The 10 of Cups relates to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Represents emotions, relationships, love at level 10. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of emotions, relationships, love.
The Page of Cups brings page qualities to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Page energy in the realm of emotions, relationships, love. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked page energy.
The Knight of Cups brings knight qualities to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Knight energy in the realm of emotions, relationships, love. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked knight energy.
The Queen of Cups brings queen qualities to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
Queen energy in the realm of emotions, relationships, love. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked queen energy.
The King of Cups brings king qualities to emotions, relationships, love.
Upright
King energy in the realm of emotions, relationships, love. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked king energy.
The Ace of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 1. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The 2 of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 2. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The 3 of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 3. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The 4 of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 4. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The 5 of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 5. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The 6 of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 6. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The 7 of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 7. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The 8 of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 8. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The 9 of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 9. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The 10 of Wands relates to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Represents passion, energy, action at level 10. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of passion, energy, action.
The Page of Wands brings page qualities to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Page energy in the realm of passion, energy, action. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked page energy.
The Knight of Wands brings knight qualities to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Knight energy in the realm of passion, energy, action. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked knight energy.
The Queen of Wands brings queen qualities to passion, energy, action.
Upright
Queen energy in the realm of passion, energy, action. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked queen energy.
The King of Wands brings king qualities to passion, energy, action.
Upright
King energy in the realm of passion, energy, action. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked king energy.
The Ace of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 1. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The 2 of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 2. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The 3 of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 3. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The 4 of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 4. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The 5 of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 5. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The 6 of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 6. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The 7 of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 7. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The 8 of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 8. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The 9 of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 9. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The 10 of Swords relates to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Represents thoughts, challenges, conflicts at level 10. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
The Page of Swords brings page qualities to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Page energy in the realm of thoughts, challenges, conflicts. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked page energy.
The Knight of Swords brings knight qualities to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Knight energy in the realm of thoughts, challenges, conflicts. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked knight energy.
The Queen of Swords brings queen qualities to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
Queen energy in the realm of thoughts, challenges, conflicts. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked queen energy.
The King of Swords brings king qualities to thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
Upright
King energy in the realm of thoughts, challenges, conflicts. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked king energy.
The Ace of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 1. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The 2 of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 2. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The 3 of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 3. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The 4 of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 4. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The 5 of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 5. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The 6 of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 6. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The 7 of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 7. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The 8 of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 8. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The 9 of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 9. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The 10 of Pentacles relates to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Represents material, practical, finances at level 10. Consult traditional meanings for specific interpretations.
Reversed
Blocked or internalized energy of material, practical, finances.
The Page of Pentacles brings page qualities to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Page energy in the realm of material, practical, finances. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked page energy.
The Knight of Pentacles brings knight qualities to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Knight energy in the realm of material, practical, finances. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked knight energy.
The Queen of Pentacles brings queen qualities to material, practical, finances.
Upright
Queen energy in the realm of material, practical, finances. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked queen energy.
The King of Pentacles brings king qualities to material, practical, finances.
Upright
King energy in the realm of material, practical, finances. Represents a person or aspect of yourself.
Reversed
Immature or blocked king energy.
Ready to Get a Reading?
Now that you know the card meanings, get a personalized tarot reading
Start Your Free ReadingFrequently Asked Questions
How many tarot cards are there?
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits (Cups, Wands, Swords, Pentacles), each containing 14 cards (Ace through 10, plus four court cards).
What is the difference between Major and Minor Arcana?
Major Arcana cards (0-21) represent significant life events, spiritual lessons, and major influences. Minor Arcana cards represent day-to-day events, challenges, and influences. Major Arcana cards typically have more weight in readings.
What do reversed tarot cards mean?
Reversed tarot cards appear upside down in a reading. They can indicate blocked energy, internalized lessons, delays, or the opposite meaning of the upright card. Some readers see reversals as weakened energy or a need to pay attention to the shadow aspects of the card.
How do I learn tarot card meanings?
Start with the Major Arcana, learning one card at a time. Study the imagery, keywords, and traditional meanings. Practice daily single-card draws and journal your interpretations. Over time, you'll develop intuitive associations with each card beyond the traditional meanings.
Do I have to memorize all 78 card meanings?
While memorizing helps, it's not required. Understanding the patterns (suits, numbers, archetypes) is more important. Many readers use guidebooks or references. With practice, you'll naturally remember cards you work with frequently and develop your own intuitive interpretations.