Tarot Card Meanings: A Comprehensive Guide to Each Card in the Deck
The tarot is a mystical divination tool, a pack of 78 cards that offer guidance, insight and predictions for the future. Each tarot card has its own unique meaning and interpretation. Learning the symbolism and significance of the cards is key to reading tarot spreads and unlocking the wisdom within the deck.
This comprehensive guide provides detailed explanations of the meaning behind every card in the tarot deck. Continue reading for an in-depth look at each card’s imagery, themes, interpretation and role in tarot card readings.
The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards depicting symbolic archetypes and principles. These are the major themes and lessons of the tarot. Each card represents a stage on the Fool’s journey through life.
The Fool
The Fool represents new beginnings, optimism and faith. This card brings the innocence of childhood wonder to the reading. The Fool is all about starting a new journey with an open heart. He reminds us to embrace uncertainty and find the joy in exploration.
Upright meaning: New beginnings, free spirit, innocence, optimism
Reversed meaning: Recklessness, inconsideration, lack of direction
The Magician
The Magician symbolizes manifestation, creation, willpower and resourcefulness. He is the bridge between the spiritual and physical realms. The Magician suggests you have all the tools and talents needed to achieve your goals.
Upright meaning: Manifestation, creation, willpower, resourcefulness
Reversed meaning: Trickery, illusions, deception, lack of skill
The High Priestess
The High Priestess represents wisdom, intuition, sacred knowledge and the subconscious mind. She provides guidance through the messages of dreams and instincts. The High Priestess calls on you to trust your inner voice.
Upright meaning: Intuition, sacred wisdom, mystery, the subconscious
Reversed meaning: Disconnected from intuition, resistance to inner voice, lack of center
The Empress
The Empress stands for nurturing, sensuality, beauty, nature and abundance. She creates life, luxury and comfort through her unconditional love. The Empress encourages you to connect with your sensual, creative side.
Upright meaning: Fertility, beauty, nature, comfort, luxury
Reversed meaning: Creative block, dependence on others, smothering
The Emperor
The Emperor symbolizes authority, structure, rules and governance. He represents a father figure who creates order out of chaos through reason and logic. The Emperor brings leadership skills and commitment to achieve ambitions goals.
Upright meaning: Authority, structure, control, reason, fatherhood
Reversed meaning: Rigidity, domineering, excessive control, lack of discipline
The Hierophant
The Hierophant represents tradition, institutions, morality and social conformity. He upholds rules, systems and order through rigid structure. The Hierophant encourages adherence to doctrine and social norms.
Upright meaning: Tradition, morality, ethics, structure
Reversed meaning: Rebellion, subversiveness, new approaches
The Lovers
The Lovers represent passion, romance, relationships, sexuality, and major life choices. This card brings partnership, duality and union through mutual love and sacrifice. The Lovers encourage following your heart to find spiritual and physical intimacy.
Upright meaning: Love, passion, partnerships, sexuality
Reversed meaning: Disharmony, conflict, misalignment of values
The Chariot
The Chariot symbolizes success, direction, control, willpower and determination. He charges ahead with confidence to claim victory through self-discipline. The Chariot brings focus, drive and triumph over life’s challenges.
Upright meaning: Success, determination, control, willpower
Reversed meaning: Lack of direction, low motivation, no control
Strength
Strength represents courage, patience, control, compassion and inner resolve. She overcomes bestial instincts with gentle wisdom. Strength brings emotional resilience, acceptance and taming of anger or desires.
Upright meaning: Courage, patience, control, compassion
Reversed meaning: Weakness, self-doubt, anger, lack of restraint
The Hermit
The Hermit represents introspection, solitude, retreat, philosophical thought, and search for truth. He provides enlightenment through inner reflection apart from society. The Hermit brings a need for seclusion to gain deeper wisdom.
Upright meaning: Soul-searching, introspection, solitude, inner guidance
Reversed meaning: Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal, reclusiveness
The Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune represents the cycles of change, ups and downs, and the randomness of life. This card brings a new twist of fate and change in luck or fortune. The Wheel reminds us that life is unpredictable and continually in motion.
Upright meaning: Change, cycles, fate, luck, fortune
Reversed meaning: No control, clinging to control, bad luck
Justice
Justice represents fairness, truth, equality, and the law. She deals out objective justice through reason and truth. Justice encourages you to stand up for what is right, seek truth and maintain impartiality.
Upright meaning: Justice, truth, law, fairness
Reversed meaning: Unfairness, lack of accountability, dishonesty
The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man represents self-sacrifice, release, contemplation, and enlightenment. He willingly puts himself in suspension to gain wisdom and new perspectives. The card calls on you to pause, surrender and evaluate your situation.
Upright meaning: Wisdom through sacrifice, new perspectives, enlightenment
Reversed meaning: Stagnation, resistance to change, selfishness
Death
Death represents transformation, endings, release and major life changes. The card brings the closing of one chapter to start anew. While frightening, Death signals that change must occur for renewal.
Upright meaning: Endings, change, transformation, transitions
Reversed meaning: Resistance to change, fear of the unknown, loss
Temperance
Temperance represents balance, moderation, patience and good timing. The angel blends opposites to find the middle ground. Temperance encourages harmony, purpose and blending the best of all options.
Upright meaning: Balance, harmony, moderation, good timing
Reversed meaning: Imbalance, excess, disharmony, bad timing
The Devil
The Devil represents shadow aspects, addiction, lust, restrictions and giving away power. The card brings unhealthy patterns, vice and temptation. The Devil calls on you to acknowledge your dark side and release what holds you back.
Upright meaning: Addictions, shadow self, restrictions, powerlessness
Reversed meaning: Release of negative patterns, power reclaimed
The Tower
The Tower represents sudden upheaval and destruction of the old that allows new growth. While initially shocking or painful, the Tower brings liberation in the release of limiting beliefs, habits or situations.
Upright meaning: Disruption, upheaval, sudden change, destruction
Reversed meaning: Personal transformation, fear of change, averting disaster
The Star
The Star shines light after a period of darkness, representing hope, faith, rejuvenation and inspiration. The card brings renewed energy and optimism after loss. The Star encourages you to have faith in divine timing.
Upright meaning: Hope, optimism, faith, inspiration
Reversed meaning: Pessimism, lack of faith, despair, self-trust issues
The Moon
The Moon represents illusion, intuition, dreams, and the power of the unconscious mind. The card brings fantasy, confusion and anxiety as inner shadows come to light. The Moon calls on you to embrace imperfection and uncertainty.
Upright meaning: Unconscious, illusions, intuition, dreams
Reversed meaning: Release of fear, repressed emotions emerging
The Sun
The Sun shines light on all situations, bringing positive energy, joy, success and vitality. The card represents happiness, fun and liberation. The Sun illuminates any shadows and brings optimism and fulfillment.
Upright meaning: Positivity, joy, success, happiness, vitality
Reversed meaning: Inner child issues, pessimism, sadness, lack of success
Judgement
Judgement represents awakening, rebirth, reflection, and absolution. The card calls for self-evaluation, releasing past mistakes and seizing a second chance. Judgement brings a new phase fueled by retrospection and renewal.
Upright meaning: Rebirth, reflection, awakening, absolution
Reversed meaning: Fear of death, resistance to change, past issues
The World
The World represents completion, accomplishment, travel and wholeness. The card marks the end of one cycle priming for the start of the next. The World brings satisfaction in the journey travelled and lessons learned along the way.
Upright meaning: Completion, accomplishment, wholeness, closure
Reversed meaning: Seeking purpose, dissatisfaction, boredom
The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards divided into four suits representing the four elements:Wands (alternately batons, clubs, staffs, or staves), Cups (chalices, goblets, or vessels), Swords (or blades), and Pentacles (coins, disks, or rings).
The Suit of Wands
The suit of wands represents the element of fire. Wands deal with passion, inspiration, energy and potential. Wands cards point to creative or spiritual forces at work.
Ace of Wands
The Ace of Wands shows new beginnings, inspired action and creative power. It represents a spark of inspiration to be acted upon.
Upright meaning: Inspiration, new beginnings, creative potential
Reversed meaning: Lack of direction, no spark of passion
Two of Wands
The Two of Wands represents planning, progress, decisions and discovery. It calls for foresight and long-term vision to expand horizons.
Upright meaning: Planning, progress, discovery
Reversed meaning: Lack of planning, delays
Three of Wands
The Three of Wands symbolizes foresight, progress and expansion. It reveals the initial fruits of labor and asks you to continue building.
Upright meaning: Foresight, progress, expansion
Reversed meaning: Obstacles, lack of foresight
Four of Wands
The Four of Wands celebrates community, home and accomplishments. It marks achievements and brings a period of rest before the next endeavor.
Upright meaning: Community, home, celebrations
Reversed meaning: Lack of support, transition
Five of Wands
The Five of Wands shows competition, tension and conflict. It reveals a struggle but reminds you growth comes through adversity.
Upright meaning: Competition, tension, conflict
Reversed meaning: Avoiding conflict, giving up
Six of Wands
The Six of Wands represents success, victory and public reward. It marks a triumph for talents and abilities.
Upright meaning: Success, victory, public reward
Reversed meaning: Lack of confidence, delays
Seven of Wands
The Seven of Wands symbolizes perseverance, courage and determination. It encourages you to stand ground despite challenges.
Upright meaning: Perseverance, courage, determination
Reversed meaning: Giving up, lacking confidence
Eight of Wands
The Eight of Wands shows swift change, action and movement. It signifies a burst of energy to take things forward quickly.
Upright meaning: Action, change, movement
Reversed meaning: Delays, frustration, resistance
Nine of Wands
The Nine of Wands represents resilience, courage and persistence. It gives the strength to push forward despite exhaustion.
Upright meaning: Persistence, resilience, courage
Reversed meaning: Fatigue, questioning motivations
Ten of Wands
The Ten of Wands reveals the burden of responsibility and hard lessons learned. It calls to delegate duties and shed unnecessary weight.
Upright meaning: Responsibility, hard lessons, burden
Reversed meaning: Unload burden, ask for help
Page of Wands
The Page of Wands represents curiosity, exploration, creativity and enthusiasm. It brings childlike wonder and unbridled passion.
Upright meaning: Curiosity, creativity, passion
Reversed meaning: Lack of direction or passion
Knight of Wands
The Knight of Wands shows adventure, passion, impulsiveness and action. It dashes forward with enthusiasm and vitality.
Upright meaning: Adventure, passion, impulsiveness
Reversed meaning: Anger, recklessness
Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands represents courage, determination, joy and vibrancy. She moves confidently towards her goals and passions.
Upright meaning: Courage, determination, passion
Reversed meaning: Self doubt, lack of passion
King of Wands
The King of Wands symbolizes leadership, vision, passion and charisma. He leads with an iron will towards inspired innovation.
Upright meaning: Leadership, vision, passion
Reversed meaning: Impulsiveness, poor leadership
The Suit of Cups
The suit of cups represents water and the realm of emotions, relationships and creativity. Cups deal with spirituality, feelings and inner landscapes.
Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups reveals new feelings, spirituality and compassion. It represents the start of emotional renewal.
Upright meaning: Spirituality, new feelings, compassion
Reversed meaning: Emotional loss, blocked creativity
Two of Cups
The Two of Cups celebrates relationships, partnerships and connections. It marks the beauty of union with another.
Upright meaning: Partnerships, connections
Reversed meaning: Disconnection, distrust
Three of Cups
The Three of Cups represents celebration, friendship and community. It celebrates life through social bonds and gatherings.
Upright meaning: Friendship, community, celebration
Reversed meaning: Overindulgence, gossip
Four of Cups
The Four of Cups reveals emotional apathy, introspection and contemplation. It calls you to open up to new possibilities.
Upright meaning: Contemplation, apathy, introspection
Reversed meaning: Sudden awareness, choosing happiness
Five of Cups
The Five of Cups shows loss, grief, isolation and disappointment. It reveals releasing the past to accept a new path.
Upright meaning: Loss, grief, disappointment
Reversed meaning: Acceptance, moving on
Six of Cups
The Six of Cups represents nostalgia, childhood innocence and joy. It reconnects you with the inner child within.
Upright meaning: Nostalgia, innocence, inner child
Reversed meaning: Living in the past, naivety
Seven of Cups
The Seven of Cups symbolizes fantasy, illusion, wishful thinking and possibilities. It reveals inner dreams and visions.
Upright meaning: Fantasy, possibilities, dreams
Reversed meaning: Lack of direction, diversion
Eight of Cups
The Eight of Cups shows moving on from emotional disappointment. It encourages abandoning the old to find your higher purpose.
Upright meaning: Moving on, deeper purpose
Reversed meaning: Avoidance, fear of change
Nine of Cups
The Nine of Cups celebrates wish fulfillment, happiness and comfort. It reveals getting what you desire through self love.
Upright meaning: Wish fulfillment, comfort, happiness
Reversed meaning: Dissatisfaction, smugness
Ten of Cups
The Ten of Cups represents lasting happiness, family and community bonds. It marks deep emotional fulfillment and joy.
Upright meaning: Happiness, family, lasting bonds
Reversed meaning: Family issues, disconnected
Page of Cups
The Page of Cups shows curiosity, artistic nature, sensitivity and messages. It reveals an innocent dreamer with a kind heart.
Upright meaning: Sensitivity, messages, curiosity
Reversed meaning: Emotional immaturity, insecurity
Knight of Cups
The Knight of Cups represents romance, charm, imagination and passion. He follows his heart wherever inspiration flows.
Upright meaning: Romance, artistic, passionate
Reversed meaning: Moodiness, disappointment
Queen of Cups
The Queen of Cups represents compassion, intuition, creativity and emotional balance. She follows her heart with loving wisdom.
Upright meaning: Compassion, calmness, balance
Reversed meaning: Martyrdom, insecurity, dependence
King of Cups
The King of Cups shows quiet strength, compassion, generosity and balance. He rules with diplomatic emotional control and wisdom.
Upright meaning: Balance, compassion, control
Reversed meaning: Coldness, moodiness, manipulation
The Suit of Swords
The suit of swords represents the element of air. Swords symbolize the realm of intellect, reason, conflict and communication.
Ace of Swords
The Ace of Swords brings new intellectual insights, challenges and breakthroughs. It reveals fresh ways of thinking about the truth.
Upright meaning: Breakthrough, clarity, sharp intellect
Reversed meaning: Confusion, brutality of truth
Two of Swords
The Two of Swords represents indecision, truce and stalemate. It shows balancing options through compromise.
Upright meaning: Indecision, stalemate, truce
Reversed meaning: Unwise risks, blocked emotions
Three of Swords
The Three of Swords reveals heartbreak, suffering and sorrow. The difficult time will ultimately lead to wisdom and growth.
Upright meaning: Heartbreak, suffering, sorrow
Reversed meaning: Releasing pain, healing
Four of Swords
The Four of Swords encourages rest, restoration, contemplation and meditation. It marks a necessary retreat to regroup and recover.
Upright meaning: Rest, retreat, contemplation
Reversed meaning: Restlessness, burnout
Five of Swords
The Five of Swords shows conflict, disagreements and power struggles. It reveals both dishonorable and justified wins.
Upright meaning: Conflict, disagreements, power struggles
Reversed meaning: Walking away, letting go
Six of Swords
The Six of Swords represents transition, rite of passage and necessary change. It shows moving on to smoother times through difficult transitions.
Upright meaning: Transition, change, rite of passage
Reversed meaning: Resistance to change, difficulty moving on
Seven of Swords
The Seven of Swords symbolizes deception, trickery, scheming and stealth. It reveals an act of betrayal or underhandedness.
Upright meaning: Deception, tricks, betrayal
Reversed meaning: Coming clean, re-evaluation
Eight of Swords
The Eight of Swords represents being restricted, powerless and stuck. It shows an unwillingness to free yourself from limitations.
Upright meaning: Restricted, powerless, stuck
Reversed meaning: Freedom, release, new perspective
Nine of Swords
The Nine of Swords reveals anxiety, worry, depression and inner turmoil. It calls for releasing fears to regain peace and optimism.
Upright meaning: Worry, depression, anxiety
Reversed meaning: Hope, peace of mind
Ten of Swords
The Ten of Swords shows inevitable hardship, loss, betrayal and endings. Yet it ultimately leads to recovery and regeneration.
Upright meaning: Painful endings, loss
Reversed meaning: Recovery, regeneration
Page of Swords
The Page of Swords represents curiosity, restlessness, mental energy and new ideas. This card brings an innovative and inquisitive approach.
Upright meaning: Curiosity, ideas, mental energy
Reversed meaning: Deception, manipulation
Knight of Swords
The Knight of Swords shows quick thinking, action-oriented and impulsive behavior. He charges ahead with courage but little planning.
Upright meaning: Impulsive, quick-thinking, energetic
Reversed meaning: No direction, disregard for consequences
Queen of Swords
The Queen of Swords represents clear thinking, honest communication and independence. She appreciates intellect and wit.
Upright meaning: Independent, honest, witty
Reversed meaning: Cold, harshly critical
King of Swords
The King of Swords shows intellectual strengths, reason, truth and authority. He rules with objective logic and reason.
Upright meaning: Intellectual, truth, logic, authority
Reversed meaning: Manipulative, cruel, weakness
The Suit of Pentacles
The suit of pentacles represents the element of earth. Pentacles deal with physical world concerns like health, wealth and work.
Ace of Pentacles
The Ace of Pentacles brings new wealth, prosperity and abundance. It marks the start of financial or physical security and success.
Upright meaning: Wealth, prosperity, abundance
Reversed meaning: Financial loss, blocked prosperity
Two of Pentacles
The Two of Pentacles represents balancing priorities, adaptability and multitasking. It encourages flexibility amid competing demands.
Upright meaning: Juggling priorities, adaptability
Reversed meaning: Disorganization, overload
Three of Pentacles
The Three of Pentacles symbolizes teamwork, collaboration, craftsmanship and gaining skills. It represents building something worthwhile.
Upright meaning: Teamwork, collaboration, learning
Reversed meaning: Lack of teamwork, disorganized
Four of Pentacles
The Four of Pentacles shows a clinging to possessions, security and control. It reveals holding on too tight to current status and wealth.
Upright meaning: Control, security, saving money
Reversed meaning: Opening up, generosity, balance
Five of Pentacles
The Five of Pentacles represents hardship, loss, and financial struggles. Yet it encourages hope in the ability to rebound and grow.
Upright meaning: Hardship, loss, poverty
Reversed meaning: Improvement, hope, recovery
Six of Pentacles
The Six of Pentacles symbolizes generosity, charity and sharing wealth. It promotes equitable giving to help those in need.
Upright meaning: Generosity, sharing wealth
Reversed meaning: Stinginess, imbalance, greed
Seven of Pentacles
The Seven of Pentacles represents perseverance, investment and hard work. It asks you to appreciate progress made while planning next steps.
Upright meaning: Hard work, perseverance, investment
Reversed meaning: Lack of progress, poor planning
Eight of Pentacles
The Eight of Pentacles shows dedicated work and consistent effort. It encourages skill development through diligent practice and concentration.
Upright meaning: Dedication, consistent effort
Reversed meaning: Lack of passion, uninspired
Nine of Pentacles
The Nine of Pentacles represents self-sufficiency, luxury, independence and abundance. It marks establishing oneself through creativity and resources.
Upright meaning: Luxury, creativity, independence
Reversed meaning: Loneliness, lack of self sufficiency
Ten of Pentacles
The Ten of Pentacles symbolizes legacy, wealth, family and establishing security for generations. It marks lasting prosperity and creation of a dynasty.
Upright meaning: Prosperity, legacy, family wealth
Reversed meaning: Fleeting success, loss of inheritance
Page of Pentacles
The Page of Pentacles represents curiosity for new learning, skill development and opportunity. This card brings an eager student mindset.
Upright meaning: Learning, opportunity, development
Reversed meaning: Distracted, lazy, entitled
Knight of Pentacles
The Knight of Pentacles shows patience, planning, diligence and putting in the work. He takes a steady and reliable approach to all endeavors.
Upright meaning: Patience, reliability, hard work
Reversed meaning: Laziness, frustration, burnout
Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles represents sensuality, comfort, nature and nurturing. She creates abundance through her enjoyment of earthly pleasures.
Upright meaning: Nurturing, comforting, sensual
Reversed meaning: Self-absorption, coldness
King of Pentacles
The King of Pentacles shows leadership, prosperity, abundance and sensibility. He provides wise guidance leading to prosperity and security.
Upright meaning: Leadership, abundance, sensibility
Reversed meaning: Greed, indulgence, overly stubborn
Tarot Card Meanings FAQ
How many cards are in a tarot deck?
There are 78 cards in a standard tarot deck. This includes 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards, which are divided into four suits (wands, cups, swords and pentacles).
What do the suits represent?
The four tarot suits represent the four elements and aspects of life:
- Wands = Fire energy, passion, inspiration
- Cups = Water energy, emotions, relationships
- Swords = Air energy, intellect, conflict
- Pentacles = Earth energy, money, physical realm
What does a tarot reading involve?
A tarot reading typically involves shuffling the cards, having a question or situation in mind, then drawing and interpreting a number of cards based on their symbolic meaning and imagery. The cards can offer spiritual guidance, insights and predictions.
What are tarot card reversals?
Reversed tarot cards offer alternative perspectives on the card’s upright meaning. A reversed meaning can suggest the shadow aspects of that card or that its influences are blocked. Reversals add additional meaning and nuance to tarot readings.
How do you interpret and learn tarot cards?
Tarot interpretation involves familiarizing yourself with the imagery, symbols, themes and meaning of each card. Focus on the core meanings first. Look for connections between cards in a spread. Combine book learning with intuitive reads. Experience will help deepen your tarot interpretation skills over time.
What are the Major Arcana cards?
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent universal archetypes, principles and soul lessons. They depict key figures like the Fool, Magician, Lovers, Empress, etc. that tell the story of the Fool’s spiritual journey through life.
What are the Minor Arcana cards?
The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards across four suits that relate to more day-to-day concerns and situations. The four Minor Arcana suits are wands, cups, swords and pentacles, each relating to an element (fire, water, air and earth).
I hope this comprehensive guide provides helpful explanations of all 78 tarot card meanings! Let me know if you have any other tarot FAQs.
The Suit of Swords (continued)
Five of Swords
The Five of Swords shows conflict, disagreements and power struggles. It reveals both dishonorable and justified wins.
Upright meaning: Conflict, disagreements, power struggles
Reversed meaning: Walking away, letting go
Six of Swords
The Six of Swords represents transition, rite of passage and necessary change. It shows moving on to smoother times through difficult transitions.
Upright meaning: Transition, change, rite of passage
Reversed meaning: Resistance to change, difficulty moving on
Seven of Swords
The Seven of Swords symbolizes deception, trickery, scheming and stealth. It reveals an act of betrayal or underhandedness.
Upright meaning: Deception, tricks, betrayal
Reversed meaning: Coming clean, re-evaluation
Eight of Swords
The Eight of Swords represents being restricted, powerless and stuck. It shows an unwillingness to free yourself from limitations.
Upright meaning: Restricted, powerless, stuck
Reversed meaning: Freedom, release, new perspective
Nine of Swords
The Nine of Swords reveals anxiety, worry, depression and inner turmoil. It calls for releasing fears to regain peace and optimism.
Upright meaning: Worry, depression, anxiety
Reversed meaning: Hope, peace of mind
Ten of Swords
The Ten of Swords shows inevitable hardship, loss, betrayal and endings. Yet it ultimately leads to recovery and regeneration.
Upright meaning: Painful endings, loss
Reversed meaning: Recovery, regeneration
Page of Swords
The Page of Swords represents curiosity, restlessness, mental energy and new ideas. This card brings an innovative and inquisitive approach.
Upright meaning: Curiosity, ideas, mental energy
Reversed meaning: Deception, manipulation
Knight of Swords
The Knight of Swords shows quick thinking, action-oriented and impulsive behavior. He charges ahead with courage but little planning.
Upright meaning: Impulsive, quick-thinking, energetic
Reversed meaning: No direction, disregard for consequences
Queen of Swords
The Queen of Swords represents clear thinking, honest communication and independence. She appreciates intellect and wit.
Upright meaning: Independent, honest, witty
Reversed meaning: Cold, harshly critical
King of Swords
The King of Swords shows intellectual strengths, reason, truth and authority. He rules with objective logic and reason.
Upright meaning: Intellectual, truth, logic, authority
Reversed meaning: Manipulative, cruel, weakness
The Suit of Pentacles
The suit of pentacles represents the element of earth. Pentacles deal with physical world concerns like health, wealth and work.
Ace of Pentacles
The Ace of Pentacles brings new wealth, prosperity and abundance. It marks the start of financial or physical security and success.
Upright meaning: Wealth, prosperity, abundance
Reversed meaning: Financial loss, blocked prosperity
Two of Pentacles
The Two of Pentacles represents balancing priorities, adaptability and multitasking. It encourages flexibility amid competing demands.
Upright meaning: Juggling priorities, adaptability
Reversed meaning: Disorganization, overload
Three of Pentacles
The Three of Pentacles symbolizes teamwork, collaboration, craftsmanship and gaining skills. It represents building something worthwhile.
Upright meaning: Teamwork, collaboration, learning
Reversed meaning: Lack of teamwork, disorganized
Four of Pentacles
The Four of Pentacles shows a clinging to possessions, security and control. It reveals holding on too tight to current status and wealth.
Upright meaning: Control, security, saving money
Reversed meaning: Opening up, generosity, balance
Five of Pentacles
The Five of Pentacles represents hardship, loss, and financial struggles. Yet it encourages hope in the ability to rebound and grow.
Upright meaning: Hardship, loss, poverty
Reversed meaning: Improvement, hope, recovery
Six of Pentacles
The Six of Pentacles symbolizes generosity, charity and sharing wealth. It promotes equitable giving to help those in need.
Upright meaning: Generosity, sharing wealth
Reversed meaning: Stinginess, imbalance, greed
Seven of Pentacles
The Seven of Pentacles represents perseverance, investment and hard work. It asks you to appreciate progress made while planning next steps.
Upright meaning: Hard work, perseverance, investment
Reversed meaning: Lack of progress, poor planning
Eight of Pentacles
The Eight of Pentacles shows dedicated work and consistent effort. It encourages skill development through diligent practice and concentration.
Upright meaning: Dedication, consistent effort
Reversed meaning: Lack of passion, uninspired
Nine of Pentacles
The Nine of Pentacles represents self-sufficiency, luxury, independence and abundance. It marks establishing oneself through creativity and resources.
Upright meaning: Luxury, creativity, independence
Reversed meaning: Loneliness, lack of self sufficiency
Ten of Pentacles
The Ten of Pentacles symbolizes legacy, wealth, family and establishing security for generations. It marks lasting prosperity and creation of a dynasty.
Upright meaning: Prosperity, legacy, family wealth
Reversed meaning: Fleeting success, loss of inheritance
Page of Pentacles
The Page of Pentacles represents curiosity for new learning, skill development and opportunity. This card brings an eager student mindset.
Upright meaning: Learning, opportunity, development
Reversed meaning: Distracted, lazy, entitled
Knight of Pentacles
The Knight of Pentacles shows patience, planning, diligence and putting in the work. He takes a steady and reliable approach to all endeavors.
Upright meaning: Patience, reliability, hard work
Reversed meaning: Laziness, frustration, burnout
Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles represents sensuality, comfort, nature and nurturing. She creates abundance through her enjoyment of earthly pleasures.
Upright meaning: Nurturing, comforting, sensual
Reversed meaning: Self-absorption, coldness
King of Pentacles
The King of Pentacles shows leadership, prosperity, abundance and sensibility. He provides wise guidance leading to prosperity and security.
Upright meaning: Leadership, abundance, sensibility
Reversed meaning: Greed, indulgence, overly stubborn
Tarot Card Meanings FAQ
How many cards are in a tarot deck?
There are 78 cards in a standard tarot deck. This includes 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards, which are divided into four suits (wands, cups, swords and pentacles).
What do the suits represent?
The four tarot suits represent the four elements and aspects of life:
- Wands = Fire energy, passion, inspiration
- Cups = Water energy, emotions, relationships
- Swords = Air energy, intellect, conflict
- Pentacles = Earth energy, money, physical realm
What does a tarot reading involve?
A tarot reading typically involves shuffling the cards, having a question or situation in mind, then drawing and interpreting a number of cards based on their symbolic meaning and imagery. The cards can offer spiritual guidance, insights and predictions.
What are tarot card reversals?
Reversed tarot cards offer alternative perspectives on the card’s upright meaning. A reversed meaning can suggest the shadow aspects of that card or that its influences are blocked. Reversals add additional meaning and nuance to tarot readings.
How do you interpret and learn tarot cards?
Tarot interpretation involves familiarizing yourself with the imagery, symbols, themes and meaning of each card. Focus on the core meanings first. Look for connections between cards in a spread. Combine book learning with intuitive reads. Experience will help deepen your tarot interpretation skills over time.
What are the Major Arcana cards?
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent universal archetypes, principles and soul lessons. They depict key figures like the Fool, Magician, Lovers, Empress, etc. that tell the story of the Fool’s spiritual journey through life.
What are the Minor Arcana cards?
The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards across four suits that relate to more day-to-day concerns and situations. The four Minor Arcana suits are wands, cups, swords and pentacles, each relating to an element (fire, water, air and earth).
I hope this comprehensive guide provides helpful explanations of all 78 tarot card meanings! Let me know if you have any other tarot FAQs.
