Tarot Card Symbolism
Welcome to the Tarot Card Symbolism Guide. Here you will discover an expert analysis of the symbols in all 78 Tarot cards of the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. That is, the 56 cards of the Minor Arcana, and 22 cards of the Major Arcana.
Advanced Tarot Students
This guide is meant for more advanced students of Tarot who want to deepen their understanding of the meanings of the Tarot. If you are a beginner, I recommend you start first with my Guide to 78 Tarot Card Meanings.
Symbols in the Tarot Cards
We will discuss over one hundred Tarot card symbols, which have their root in ancient mythology, astrology, alchemy and religious text.
For example, we will look at the meaning of angels in Tarot, as well as birds, cats, flowers and fruit; in addition to the moon, sun, pathways, castles and arches.
You will see how nature is used to suggest a mood, by the choice of clouds (calm or stormy) represented, the color of the sky or sea and the type of the landscape depicted.
Tarot Card Symbolism
The World Symbols
6 October 2022
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Dancer, purple sash, wands, laurel wreath, man, lion, eagle, bull.
Judgement Symbols
6 October 2022
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The occult symbolism of the angel, red angel wings, trumpet, flag, people, coffins, sea, mountains, trees.
The Sun Symbols
6 October 2022
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Sun, sun-face, child, sunflowers, banner, red feather, horse, brick wall.
The Moon Symbols
4 October 2022
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Moon, moon-rays, moon-face, crayfish, dog, wolf, pillars, blue land, green fields, pool.
The Star Symbols
4 October 2022
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Maiden, stars, jugs, tree, bird, mountain, pool, rivulets, meditation.
The Tower Symbols
4 October 2022
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Tower, 3 windows, falling man and woman, lightning, yods, crown.
The Devil Symbols
29 September 2022
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Bat wings, horns, donkey ears, inverted pentacles, man and woman, tails, chains.
Temperance Symbols
29 September 2022
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Angel, golden disk, square, red triangle, cups, water, path, mountains, sun, irises.
Death Card Symbols
27 September 2022
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Grim reaper, black horse, white rose banner, red feather, bishop, king, child, woman, rising sun, towers, river, boat.
The Hanged Man Symbols
27 September 2022
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Tree, crossed legs, Tau cross, halo, right foot, crooked elbows.
Justice Symbols
26 September 2022
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Sword, scales, pillars, veil, crown, white shoe, yellow background, blue square, brooch.
Wheel of Fortune Symbols
26 September 2022
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ROTA, alchemy symbols, angel, eagle, bull, lion, sphinx, snake, orange jackal.
The Hermit Symbols
22 September 2022
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Old man, gray cloak, lamp, star, gold wand, snow, mountain top.
Strength Symbols
22 September 2022
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Woman, lion, flower belt, white dress, infinity sign, blue mountain, yellow sky.
The Chariot Symbols
21 September 2022
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Moon sign, star crown, victory wreath, skirt, belt, amulet, wand, chariot, angel wings, town, moat.
The Lovers Symbols
21 September 2022
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Angel Raphael, sun, couple, trees, apple, snake, mountain.
Hierophant Symbols
20 September 2022
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Crown, letter W, blue scarf, scepter, benediction, crossed keys, monks, pillars.
The Emperor Symbols
20 September 2022
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Rams heads, crown, infinity sign, armor, ankh cross, globe, orange sky, mountains, river.
The Empress Symbols
19 September 2022
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Crown, wreath, scepter, gown, pearl necklace, heart shield, wheat, trees, waterfall, yellow sky.
The High Priestess Symbols
12 September 2022
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Tora scroll, moon crown, white cross, veil, black and white pillar, B and J and blue robe.
The Magician Symbols
12 September 2022
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Position of hands, wand, infinity symbol, serpent belt, red gown, white robe and flowers.
The Fool Symbols
11 September 2022
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Mountains, cliff edge, tunic, red feather, white dog, white flower, bag.
King of Pentacles Symbols
25 August 2022
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Face of Edith Craig, battlement, bulls, armor, crown, scepter and grapes.
Queen of Pentacles Symbols
25 August 2022
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Pentacle, throne, cherubs, ram, flora, crown, veil, rabbit, roses.
Knight of Pentacles Symbols
24 August 2022
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Horse, farmland, field, mountains, trees, armor, glove, green plume.
Page of Pentacles Symbols
28 July 2022
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Talisman, red hat, plowed fields, yellow sky, trees and mountains.
Ten of Pentacles Symbols
27 July 2022
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Old man, child, couple, Tree of Life, scales, tower, dogs.
Nine of Pentacles Symbols
26 July 2022
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Estate, snail, falcon, yellow glove, Venus symbols, two trees.
Six of Pentacles Symbols
8 June 2022
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Scales, red cloak, 4 coins, castle, benediction, bandage, red ticket.
Four of Pentacles Symbols
26 May 2022
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Pentacles, city/village, crown, tetragrammaton, untied shoes.
Three of Pentacles Symbols
24 May 2022
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Sculptor, dark interior, apron, bench, tools, arches and engravings.
Two of Pentacles Symbols
24 May 2022
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Infinity symbol, juggler, raised left foot, sea, ships and tall hat.
Ace of Pentacles Symbols
23 May 2022
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Clouds, hand of God, garden, rose, lily of the valley, archway, path, mountains.
King of Swords Symbols
27 April 2022
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Sword, throne, butterfly, moon, nymphs, cherub, crown, veil, birds, trees and clouds.
Queen of Swords Symbols
27 April 2022
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Sword in right hand, yellow butterflies, cherub, crown, red veil and storm clouds.
Knight of Swords Symbols
25 April 2022
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White horse, yellow butterflies, falcon, birds, gloves, red glove, trees, sky.
Page of Swords Symbols
24 April 2022
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Sword in left hand, foreground, mountains, tree, birds, green feather.
Ten of Swords Symbols
23 April 2022
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Dead or alive? chakra alignment, hand gesture, sky, sea, mountains.
Nine of Swords Symbols
21 April 2022
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Hanging swords, hands over eyes, bedspread, roses, bed carvings.
Eight of Swords Symbols
21 April 2022
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Ropes, blindfold, upright swords, cliff, castle and sea.
Seven of Swords Symbols
20 April 2022
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Thief, red fez hat, yellow sky, holding sharp end of swords.
Five of Swords Symbols
19 April 2022
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Smiling champion, stormy sky, clouds, mountains, sea.
Three of Swords Symbols
18 April 2022
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Why are there no people in this card? Plus symbolic meaning of the pierced heart, thunder, rain and clouds.
Two of Swords Symbols
18 April 2022
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Crossed swords, blindfold, crescent moon, sea, rocks and bench.
Ace of Swords Symbols
17 April 2022
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Hand of God, crown, yods, palm and olive branch, barren landscape, crown chakra.
King of Wands Symbols
31 March 2022
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Crown, posture, facing right, yellow throne, red gown, salamanders and lions.
Queen of Wands Symbols
31 March 2022
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Symbolism of the lion, sunflowers, black cat, wand, crown, throne, pyramids, red shoe and yellow dress.
Knight of Wands Symbols
30 March 2022
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Armor, gloves, yellow cloak, salamanders, red horse, pyramids and arid desert.
Page of Wands Symbols
30 March 2022
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Egyptian symbolism of the pyramids, red feather, explorer's hat and salamanders.
Ten of Wands Symbols
30 March 2022
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Why is the man bent over? Symbolism of the trees and castle.
Nine of Wands Symbols
29 March 2022
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Upright wands, hills, white bandage and yellow boots.
Eight of Wands Symbols
29 March 2022
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Why are there no people in this card? Plus meaning of hills, river and castle.
Seven of Wands Symbols
28 March 2022
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Attackers, mismatched shoes, green tunic, mountain summit.
Six of Wands Symbols
28 March 2022
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Horseman, laurel wreaths, horse, gauntlet gloves and ribbon.
Four of Wands Symbols
24 March 2022
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Archway, flowers, grapevine, castle, moat, bridge and yellow sky.
Three of Wands Symbols
23 March 2022
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Chalice, Caduceus of Hermes, snakes, wings, Yin and Yang.
Ace of Wands Symbols
21 March 2022
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Wand, hand, clouds, leave, yods, river, trees, mountains and castle.
King of Cups Symbols
10 March 2022
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Throne in the sea, scepter, chalice, dolphin, fish, red ship and stormy sea.
Queen of Cups Symbols
10 March 2022
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Ornate chalice, crown, throne, angels, cherubs, cliffs, stones and sea.
Knight of Cups Symbols
9 March 2022
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Armor, horse, wings, fish, river, mountain and trees.
Page of Cups Symbols
9 March 2022
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Cup, blue fish, ocean, lotus flowers, blue feather symbolism.
Nine of Cups Symbols
8 March 2022
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Man in red hat, cups on display, curtain, bench, yellow color.
Eight of Cups Symbols
8 March 2022
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Mountains, moon eclipse, river and darkness symbolism.
Seven of Cups Symbols
8 March 2022
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Human face, laurel wreath, ghost, snake, castle, jewels, dragon and swirling clouds.
Six of Cups Symbols
7 March 2022
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Children, white flower, village, inscription X on pillar.
Five of Cups Symbols
7 March 2022
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Spilled wine, river, bridge, castle, cloak, gray sky symbolism.
Three of Cups Symbols
6 March 2022
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Dancing maidens, flowers, grapes, apples and blue sky.
Two of Cups Symbols
6 March 2022
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Chalice, Caduceus of Hermes, snakes, wings, Yin and Yang.
Ace of Cups Symbols
4 March 2022
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Chalice, 5 streams of water, yods, dove, hand and cloud.