The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meanings

The Hanged Man means it’s time for you to pause, surrender, and allow new insights to emerge. As the 12th card in the Major Arcana, we find the mysterious figure hanging upside down by one of his feet, suspended in contemplation. Instead of forcing outcomes, it reminds us that some answers only come when you stop looking for them.

In the Rider-Waite tarot, the Hanged Man hangs from a T-shaped tree by his right foot. His left leg is crossed to form a number four that also is a subtle nod to the symbol for Jupiter, the planet of wisdom and expansion. His face is calm and there is a glowing halo surrounding his head.

This depiction also echoes the story of the Norse god Odin, when he suspended himself from the World Tree, Yggdrasil, in a self-imposed trial to gain wisdom and the runes. Like Odin, the Hanged Man reflects taking a pause to gain deeper spiritual knowledge. It might be uncomfortable, but in the end, worth it.

The Hanged Man Keywords

Upright Hanged Man Tarot Card Meaning

The Hanged Man shows up when you’re in limbo or need to be. It can indicate a time of waiting or the need to approach something from a completely new angle. But, most often, the card invites surrender. Not as defeat, but as a powerful act of trust. It asks you to release control, reframe your perspective, and allow the next step on your path to emerge on its own timeline.

Love and Relationships

In love readings, the Hanged Man can suggest a pause or delay in relationship progress. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it may be a time when there is need for reflection or space. If you’re in a relationship, one or both of you may need to step back and reassess from a new viewpoint. If you’re single, this card encourages surrendering expectations or timelines. Love may come when you release your grip on how it should happen.

Career and Finances

Career-wise, the Hanged Man suggests a period of waiting or transition. If you’re feeling stuck, it may be a sign to stop forcing progress and instead reflect on what needs to shift internally first.

Financially, this is not the moment for big moves. Practice patience and trust. A better path may reveal itself once you’ve had time to reflect.

Reversed Hanged Man Tarot Card Meaning

Reversed, the Hanged Man often signals your resistance. You may be clinging to outdated beliefs, avoiding necessary change, or refusing to pause even though your intuition is asking you to.

This card reversed is a prompt to examine your attachments. What are you afraid to let go of—and what clarity might arrive if you finally did?

It can, sometimes, instead mean that you have gained the knowledge you need and now it’s time to step forward out of limbo.

Love and Relationships

In relationships, the reversed Hanged Man can indicate someone who’s avoiding vulnerability or emotional growth. There may be a pattern of self-sacrifice without reciprocity—or a refusal to see things from your partner’s point of view.

For those who are single, it might suggest you’re stuck in old stories or limiting beliefs that prevent deeper connection.

Career and Finances

Reversed, this card can reflect frustration over stagnation and a reluctance to shift your approach. You might be forcing solutions instead of stepping back to reassess.

Financially, be cautious of impulsive spending or doubling down on something that’s not working. Step back, breathe, and something different.

How to Interpret the Hanged Man in a Past-Present-Future Tarot Spread

One popular tarot spread is the past-present-future spread. Here’s one way to read The Hanged Man if it shows up for you.

If the Hanged Man appears in the past position: A period of deep reflection shaped your current situation.
In the present position: Pause, surrender, and trust the process
In the future position: A breakthrough will come if you allow yourself to surrender.

The Hanged Man as Feelings

When someone feels like the Hanged Man in a tarot reading, they may be emotionally paused or uncertain. it often means they’re not yet ready to move forward, not because they don’t care, but because they’re still seeking answers.

There could be hesitation, reflection, or even spiritual processing happening behind the scenes. It’s a state of emotional limbo rather than a lack of feeling, and one that often leads to transformation if space is given.

Is the Hanged Man a Yes or No Card?

The Hanged Man is generally considered a “not yet” card. It suggests waiting, pausing, or looking at a situation from a different perspective before taking action. If you’re asking a yes/no question, this card encourages you to hold off on any final decision.

Tarot Journal Prompts for the Hanged Man

If this card comes up in your reading and you wish to meditate or journal about it to get a deeper understanding of how it might relate to your situation, here are some prompts to consider.

• What am I being asked to look at with a different perspective?
• Where in my life do I need to surrender control?
• When have past periods of waiting or uncertainty led to unexpected insight?
• How can I create space for a new perspective to emerge?
• What would happen if I stopped resisting and simply allowed?

Important Card Combinations for the Hanged Man

The Hanged Man + Death

Major transformation through surrender. Let go so something new can begin.

The Hanged Man + The Tower

A forced pause or awakening. Things fall apart to shift your perspective.

The Hanged Man + The Hermit

A period of deep spiritual reflection or personal retreat.

The Hanged Man + Temperance

Patience and spiritual integration. Trust in divine timing.