Tarot Card Meanings List
Every card in the tarot deck carries its own meanings and symbolism. Learning the tarot card meanings helps you understand the cards, whether you are reading for yourself or for others. Below, you’ll find the list of meanings for all 78 tarot cards, along with guides to the Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, and the four suits.
Use this page as a reference point as you explore the cards, deepen your interpretations, and build a personal relationship with the tarot. While traditional meanings provide a foundation, tarot is intuitive. Over time, your own insights and experiences with the cards will shape how they speak to you.
The deck below is a concept deck created for our One Card Tarot Reading. We are currently seeking an artist to turn it into reality.
MAJOR ARCANA
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent the most significant themes and lessons we encounter over a lifetime. Taken together, the Major Arcana form a symbolic path, often described as the Fool’s Journey.
As you move from the Fool to the World, you encounter a wide range of archetypes, from the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine to the Hierophant and the Devil. Along the way, the cards explore themes of challenge, temptation, loss, strength, and growth. When looked at as a whole, the cards reflect the universal stages of the human experience.
When Major Arcana cards appear in a reading, they often point to long-term patterns, major turning points, or important experiences. Each card is a key that will unlock a way to look at your own experience and your approach to life.
The Fool Meaning
Upright: Beginnings, leap of faith, innocence, adventure
Reversed: Recklessness, hesitation, naivety, fear of the unknown
The Magician Meaning
Upright: Manifestation, personal power, focused intention
Reversed: Manipulation, unused potential
The High Priestess Meaning
Upright: Intuition, mystery
Reversed: Ignoring intuition, blocked connection to insight
The Empress Meaning
Upright: Divine Feminine, creativity, abundance
Reversed: Self-neglect, creative blocks, dependence
The Emperor Meaning
Upright: Authority, structure, discipline, stability
Reversed: Control issues, rigidity, lack of discipline
The Hierophant Meaning
Upright: Faith, tradition, conformity, organized religion
Reversed: Blind faith, rebellion, personal path
The Lovers Meaning
Upright: Love, relationships, choice, union, alignment
Reversed: Breakup, conflict, imbalance, misalignment
The Chariot Meaning
Upright: Willpower, focus, determination, movement
Reversed: Lack of direction, stagnation, conflict
Strength Meaning
Upright: Inner strength, courage, compassion for lower self
Reversed: Self doubt, pride, overwhelm, insecurity
The Hermit Meaning
Upright: Contemplation, solitude, introspection
Reversed: Withdrawal, isolation, loneliness, avoidance
The Wheel of Fortune Meaning
Upright: Luck, fate, turning point
Reversed: Resistance to change, bad luck, setbacks
Justice Meaning
Upright: Justice, fair outcome, legal issues, truth
Reversed: Injustice, unfair outcome, dishonesty, imbalance
The Hanged Man Meaning
Upright: Different perspective, surrender
Reversed: Stubbornness, stagnation, resistance
Death Meaning
Upright: Death, end of a cycle, letting go, transformation
Reversed: Refusal to let go, grief, fear of change
Temperance Meaning
Upright: Balance, alchemy, moderation, middle pillar
Reversed: Imbalance, excess, extremes
The Devil Meaning
Upright: Temptation, shadow self, attachment, sensuality
Reversed: Breaking free of old habits, gaining control
The Tower Meaning
Upright: Sudden intense change, upheaval
Reversed: Resistance to inevitable, internal collapse
The Star Meaning
Upright: Hope, guidance, inspiration after difficult time
Reversed: Hopelessness, lack of faith, discouragement
The Moon Meaning
Upright: Mystery, unknown, illusion, hidden knowledge
Reversed: Confusion, fear of the unknown
The Sun Meaning
Upright: Celebration, clarity, joy, rebirth, success
Reversed: Arrogance, negativity, depression
Judgment Meaning
Upright: Judgement, awakening, rebirth
Reversed: Destruction, doubt, punishment, martyrdom
The World Meaning
Upright: Completion of a cycle, fulfillment
Reversed: Lack of closure, delay, refusal to move on
MINOR ARCANA
While the Major Arcana addresses life’s big lessons, the Minor Arcana focuses on the details of daily life. These can include emotions, actions, conflicts, work, and relationships as they unfold. The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana show how different themes appear in your life.
The court cards (the Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings) often represent people or roles. In a reading, they may reflect you, someone you know or will meet, or qualities you are being asked to embody.
The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits: Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles. Each is associated with an element, a magical tool, and a distinct area of life.
THE SUIT OF WANDS
The Suit of Wands is associated with energy, passion, ambition, and creative drive. These cards speak to inspiration, initiative, and the desire to act on ideas before they fade. It is linked to the element of Fire.
Ace of Wands Meaning
Upright: Inspiration, new opportunities, creative spark
Reversed: Lack of direction, delayed action, blocked energy
Two of Wands Meaning
Upright: Future planning, personal power, decision-making
Reversed: Fear of change, hesitation, limited vision
Three of Wands Meaning
Upright: Expansion, progress, long-term vision
Reversed: Delays, setbacks, lack of foresight
Four of Wands Meaning
Upright: Stability, celebration, solid foundation, marriage
Reversed: Instability, disrupted harmony, lack of support
Five of Wands Meaning
Upright: Competition, conflict
Reversed: Resolution, cooperation, avoidance of conflict
Six of Wands Meaning
Upright: Victory, recognition, success, public achievement
Reversed: Self-doubt, lack of recognition, ego
Seven of Wands Meaning
Upright: Perseverance, standing ground, defending position
Reversed: Overwhelm, giving up, weakened resolve
Eight of Wands Meaning
Upright: Momentum, rapid movement, swift communication
Reversed: Delays, hesitation, scattered energy
Nine of Wands Meaning
Upright: Resilience, persistence, nearing completion
Reversed: Exhaustion, defensiveness, burnout
Ten of Wands Meaning
Upright: Burden, responsibility, collapse
Reversed: Release, delegation, relief from pressure, giving up
Page of Wands Meaning
Upright: Taking action, enthusiasm, creative exploration
Reversed: Lack of focus, no action plan
Knight of Wands Meaning
Upright: Bold action, adventure, impulsive energy, passion
Reversed: Recklessness, impatience, inconsistency
Queen of Wands Meaning
Upright: Confidence, charisma, creative leadership, power
Reversed: Insecurity, jealousy, diminished confidence
King of Wands Meaning
Upright: Vision, leadership, entrepreneurial spirit
Reversed: Impulsiveness, dominance, lack of direction
THE SUIT OF CUPS
The Suit of Cups is related to emotions, relationships, intuition, and your inner emotional world. Cups cards often reflect matters of the heart: love, grief, longing, joy, compassion, and emotional fulfillment. This suit is connected to the element of Water.
Ace of Cups Meaning
Upright: New love, emotional beginnings
Reversed: Emotional blockage, withheld feelings, emptiness
Two of Cups Meaning
Upright: Mutual connection, partnership, harmony
Reversed: Misalignment, broken connection
Three of Cups Meaning
Upright: Celebration, friendship, shared joy
Reversed: Isolation, overindulgence, social tension
Four of Cups Meaning
Upright: Apathy, emotional withdrawal, dissatisfaction
Reversed: Renewed interest, acceptance, openness
Five of Cups Meaning
Upright: Grief, loss, disappointment, self-pity
Reversed: Acceptance, healing, seeing the possibilities
Six of Cups Meaning
Upright: Nostalgia, innocence, soulmate
Reversed: Stuck in the past, emotional immaturity, moving on
Seven of Cups Meaning
Upright: Choices, illusion, wishful thinking, too many options
Reversed: Clarity, discernment, grounded decisions
Eight of Cups Meaning
Upright: Walking away, emotional release, loss of faith
Reversed: Avoidance, fear of change, staying stuck
Nine of Cups Meaning
Upright: Contentment, satisfaction, luxury
Reversed: Dissatisfaction, excess, unmet desires, smugness
Ten of Cups Meaning
Upright: Lasting happiness, fulfillment, family
Reversed: Misalignment, breakup, disharmony
Page of Cups Meaning
Upright: Emotional openness, creative inspiration, sensitivity
Reversed: Immaturity, blocked expression
Knight of Cups Meaning
Upright: Flirtation, romance, idealism, following the heart
Reversed: Moodiness, avoidance, playboy
Queen of Cups Meaning
Upright: Compassion, emotional intelligence, intuitive care
Reversed: Emotional overwhelm, boundary issues, self-neglect
King of Cups Meaning
Upright: Emotional balance, calm leadership, wisdom
Reversed: Emotional manipulation, suppression, volatility
THE SUIT OF SWORDS
The Suit of Swords is associated all things connected to the mind. It relates to thoughts, communication, conflict, truth, and decision-making. It is connected to the element of Air.
Ace of Swords Meaning
Upright: New ideas, truth, mental breakthrough
Reversed: Confusion, misinformation, painful truth
Two of Swords Meaning
Upright: Indecision, difficult choice, stalemate
Reversed: No good outcome, holding onto both
Three of Swords Meaning
Upright: Heartbreak, emotional pain, betrayal
Reversed: Healing, forgiveness, emotional recovery
Four of Swords Meaning
Upright: Rest, recovery, mental pause
Reversed: Burnout, restlessness, forced activity
Five of Swords Meaning
Upright: Conflict, hollow victory, tension, regret
Reversed: Reconciliation, conflict resolution, slow recovery
Six of Swords Meaning
Upright: Moving on, leaving past behind
Reversed: Resistance to change, carrying emotional baggage
Seven of Swords Meaning
Upright: Deception, secrecy, strategic thinking
Reversed: Truth revealed, confession, coming clean
Eight of Swords Meaning
Upright: Restriction, self-doubt, victim mindset
Reversed: Empowerment, release, shifting perspective
Nine of Swords Meaning
Upright: Anxiety, guilt, worry, sleeplessness
Reversed: Recovery, reassurance, inner collapse
Ten of Swords Meaning
Upright: Painful ending, betrayal, collapse
Reversed: Finality, inevitable transition, end of cycle
Page of Swords Meaning
Upright: Curiosity, alertness, intellectual exploration
Reversed: Gossip, immaturity, unreliability
Knight of Swords Meaning
Upright: Decisive action, assertiveness, mental drive
Reversed: Impulsiveness, aggression, recklessness
Queen of Swords Meaning
Upright: Strategy, discernment, clarity
Reversed: Coldness, harsh judgment, emotional detachment
King of Swords Meaning
Upright: Authority, logic, ethical leadership, integrity
Reversed: Manipulation, cruelty, rigid thinking
THE SUIT OF PENTACLES
The Suit of Pentacles concerns the physical world. They can related to work, money, or health. It is associated with the element of Earth.
Ace of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: New opportunity, financial beginnings, stability
Reversed: Missed opportunity, instability, poor planning
Two of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Balance, adaptability, juggling priorities
Reversed: Overwhelm, imbalance, disorganization
Three of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Collaboration, teamwork
Reversed: Lack of cooperation, undervalued work
Four of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Security, control, holding on tightly
Reversed: Release, scarcity mindset, greed, obsession
Five of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Financial hardship, isolation, not seeing the support
Reversed: Recovery, support, hope
Six of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Generosity, balance, mutual exchange, charity
Reversed: Inequality, imbalance, dependence
Seven of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Patience, long-term goal
Reversed: Frustration, no progress, wasted effort
Eight of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Diligence, skill mastery, focused effort
Reversed: Boredom, lack of focus
Nine of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Independence, wealth, abundance, luxury
Reversed: Financial dependence, insecurity, overindulgence
Ten of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Legacy, security, family wealth
Reversed: Financial instability, broken foundation
Page of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Learning, ambition, planning
Reversed: Procrastination, missed growth
Knight of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Persistence, reliability
Reversed: Stagnation, rigidity, resistance to change
Queen of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Nurturing stability, resourcefulness, security
Reversed: Work-life imbalance, burnout, neglecting self
King of Pentacles Meaning
Upright: Financial authority, security success, material mastery, abundance
Reversed: Greed, misuse of power, indulgence
