Tarot Card Meanings — All 78 Cards
A tarot deck has 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana that picture life’s big themes, and 56 Minor Arcana split into four suits — Wands (fire), Cups (water), Swords (air) and Pentacles (earth). This dictionary follows the classic Rider–Waite–Smith deck (1909), whose public-domain art by Pamela Colman Smith appears on every card page.
Drew a card? Find it below. Tarot works best as a mirror for reflection rather than a prediction — enjoy it for fun and self-reflection, and make big decisions with real-world information.
🌟Major Arcana (22) 22
The FoolMajor Arcana 0The Fool is the open road before anything has been decided. Like the young traveler smiling at the edge of a cliff with a tiny bundle on his shoulder, it marks the moment when curiosity moves faster than calculation.
The MagicianMajor Arcana 1The Magician is the moment an idea gets hands. Everything you need is already on the table; the card asks you to pick up the tools, focus your will, and make something real.
The High PriestessMajor Arcana 2The High Priestess is the quiet knowledge beneath the surface. Seated between two pillars with a half-hidden scroll, she reminds you that not every answer arrives through logic; some arrive through stillness.
The EmpressMajor Arcana 3The Empress is abundance in full bloom. Resting on soft cushions in a field of ripening wheat, she represents nurture, creativity, pleasure and the steady growth that comes from care.
The EmperorMajor Arcana 4The Emperor is structure that protects. Seated on a stone throne carved with rams, he stands for leadership, order and the discipline it takes to turn a vision into something that lasts.
The HierophantMajor Arcana 5The Hierophant is the keeper of tradition. Raising a hand in blessing before two kneeling students, he stands for teachers, shared values, institutions and the wisdom that is passed from one generation to the next.
The LoversMajor Arcana 6The Lovers is about connection and choice. Beneath an angel's outstretched wings, two people stand open to each other, and the card asks you to choose what, and whom, you truly value.
The ChariotMajor Arcana 7The Chariot is victory through focus. A crowned driver stands in a stone chariot pulled by two sphinxes, one black and one white, steering them forward with nothing but willpower.
StrengthMajor Arcana 8Strength is courage with a gentle hand. A woman calmly closes a lion's jaws, not by force but by patience and trust, showing that the strongest power is often the quietest.
The HermitMajor Arcana 9The Hermit is the lantern in the dark. Standing alone on a snowy peak, an old man lights the path just one step ahead, reminding you that some answers are only found in solitude.
Wheel of FortuneMajor Arcana 10The Wheel of Fortune is the turning of life's cycles. A great wheel spins in the clouds, carrying creatures up and down, reminding you that change is constant and luck can turn in your favor.
JusticeMajor Arcana 11Justice is truth weighed with a clear eye. Holding a raised sword and balanced scales, she reminds you that every choice has consequences and that fairness begins with honesty.
The Hanged ManMajor Arcana 12The Hanged Man is the wisdom of the pause. Suspended upside down yet strangely serene, he shows that letting go and seeing from a new angle can reveal what striving never could.
DeathMajor Arcana 13Death is not about dying. A skeleton knight rides slowly forward while the sun rises between two towers, showing that every ending clears the ground for something new.
TemperanceMajor Arcana 14Temperance is the art of the right mix. An angel pours water between two cups with one foot in a stream and one on land, showing that balance is not stillness but a patient, flowing blend.
The DevilMajor Arcana 15The Devil is the chain you could take off. Two figures stand bound beneath a horned giant, yet the loops around their necks are loose, a reminder that many traps are held in place by habit and belief.
The TowerMajor Arcana 16The Tower is the lightning flash that changes everything. A crowned tower on a rocky peak is split by a bolt from the sky, and what falls away is whatever was built on shaky ground.
The StarMajor Arcana 17The Star is hope after the storm. Kneeling naked beneath a sky of eight stars, a woman pours water onto the land and into the pool, quietly renewing everything she touches.
The MoonMajor Arcana 18The Moon is the path through uncertain light. Between two towers, a dog and a wolf howl at the sky while a crayfish crawls from the water, showing that not everything is as it seems in the dark.
The SunMajor Arcana 19The Sun is joy without conditions. A laughing child rides a white horse beneath a radiant sun and a wall of sunflowers, and everything that was hidden in the Moon's shadows is now warm and clear.
JudgementMajor Arcana 20Judgement is the call to rise. An angel sounds a trumpet over open coffins, and the people inside stand with arms raised, answering a summons to wake up and become who they are meant to be.
The WorldMajor Arcana 21The World is the circle completed. A dancer floats inside a laurel wreath, surrounded by four winged figures, celebrating the end of one great journey and the wholeness it has brought.🔥Wands · Fire 14
Ace of WandsWands · Fire · 1The Ace of Wands is a single sprouting branch thrust out of a cloud. Nothing has taken shape yet, but this is the moment the urge to make something first catches fire.
Two of WandsWands · Fire · 2The Two of Wands shows someone standing on a castle wall with the world in their hand. The spark of the Ace has become a vision, and now the question is whether to stay safe inside the walls or set out.
Three of WandsWands · Fire · 3The Three of Wands shows a figure on a ridge watching ships sail across a golden sea. The plan has been launched, and now the view stretches far beyond where you started.
Four of WandsWands · Fire · 4The Four of Wands is a festival at the gates. Four staves hold up a garland of flowers and fruit, and people come out of the castle to celebrate a milestone reached together.
Five of WandsWands · Fire · 5The Five of Wands shows five young people swinging staves in every direction. It looks like a brawl, yet no one is hurt: this is the noisy, testing friction of people with energy to burn.
Six of WandsWands · Fire · 6The Six of Wands is a victory parade. A rider crowned with laurel moves through a cheering crowd, and the effort that came before is finally being seen and recognised.
Seven of WandsWands · Fire · 7The Seven of Wands shows one person on a hilltop fending off six staves rising from below. Outnumbered but on higher ground, they refuse to give up what they have built.
Eight of WandsWands · Fire · 8The Eight of Wands shows eight staves flying through an open sky with nothing in their way. After the effort and waiting of earlier cards, everything suddenly starts to move at once.
Nine of WandsWands · Fire · 9The Nine of Wands shows a bandaged figure leaning on a staff in front of a wall of eight others. He is tired and wary, but he is still standing, and the finish line is closer than it looks.
Ten of WandsWands · Fire · 10The Ten of Wands shows a man bent double under a bundle of ten staves, trudging toward a town. He will probably get there, but the real question is why he is carrying all of it alone.
Page of WandsWands · Fire · PageThe Page of Wands stands in the desert gazing up at the tip of his sprouting staff, as if it holds a secret. He is the curious beginner who wants to try everything and is thrilled by what he might discover.
Knight of WandsWands · Fire · KnightThe Knight of Wands rides a rearing horse across the desert, staff raised and cloak flying. He is energy in motion: bold, charismatic and in a hurry, though not always sure where he is going.
Queen of WandsWands · Fire · QueenThe Queen of Wands sits on a lion throne holding a sunflower, a black cat at her feet. She is warm, confident and magnetic, the kind of person who lights up a room simply by being herself.
King of WandsWands · Fire · KingThe King of Wands sits forward on his throne, staff in hand, a small salamander at his feet. He is the visionary leader who sees where things should go and has the will to take everyone there.💧Cups · Water 14
Ace of CupsCups · Water · 1The Ace of Cups is a single overflowing chalice held out from a cloud. It marks the moment the heart opens again: new love, new tenderness, or simply the relief of feeling deeply.
Two of CupsCups · Water · 2The Two of Cups shows two people raising their cups to each other at the same height. It is the card of mutual feeling: a connection where giving and receiving finally match.
Three of CupsCups · Water · 3The Three of Cups shows three friends dancing with their cups raised high. It is the tarot's card of celebration, friendship and the joy that only grows when it is shared.
Four of CupsCups · Water · 4The Four of Cups shows a young man sitting under a tree, arms folded, ignoring a cup offered from a cloud. It is the card of boredom, apathy and missed chances, and of the reflection that comes before renewal.
Five of CupsCups · Water · 5The Five of Cups shows a cloaked figure mourning three spilled cups, while two full cups still stand behind them. It is the card of grief and regret, and of what remains when we are ready to turn around.
Six of CupsCups · Water · 6The Six of Cups shows a child handing a cup of flowers to a smaller child in an old village square. It is the card of memory, innocence and old connections, a gentle reminder of where kindness comes from.
Seven of CupsCups · Water · 7The Seven of Cups shows seven cups floating in the clouds, each holding a different vision. It is the card of imagination, temptation and too many choices, asking which dream is real.
Eight of CupsCups · Water · 8The Eight of Cups shows a cloaked traveller walking away from eight stacked cups under a watchful moon. It is the card of leaving what no longer fulfils you to search for something deeper.
Nine of CupsCups · Water · 9The Nine of Cups shows a contented man seated before nine cups, arms folded and smiling. Known as the wish card, it speaks of satisfaction, gratitude and the pleasure of getting what you hoped for.
Ten of CupsCups · Water · 10The Ten of Cups shows a couple and two children beneath a rainbow of cups. It is the card of lasting emotional happiness: home, family and the feeling of truly belonging.
Page of CupsCups · Water · PageThe Page of Cups is a young courtier gazing in surprise at a fish peeking out of his cup. It is the card of tender messages, playful imagination and feelings that are just beginning to bloom.
Knight of CupsCups · Water · KnightThe Knight of Cups rides slowly forward on a white horse, holding out a cup like an offering. He is tarot's romantic: charming, idealistic and led by the heart wherever it goes.
Queen of CupsCups · Water · QueenThe Queen of Cups sits on a throne at the edge of the sea, gazing into an ornate, covered cup. She is the deck's great empath: intuitive, caring and calm enough to hold every feeling.
King of CupsCups · Water · KingThe King of Cups sits calmly on a throne floating in a stormy sea. He is the master of emotional balance: generous, wise and steady enough to stay kind when the waves rise.🗡️Swords · Air 14
Ace of SwordsSwords · Air · AceThe Ace of Swords is a single blade held up through parting clouds. It marks the moment a foggy situation comes into focus and you suddenly have the clarity, and the nerve, to face what is true.
Two of SwordsSwords · Air · 2The Two of Swords shows a blindfolded woman holding two crossed blades against her chest. It describes a decision put on hold to keep the peace, and it gently asks how long that pause can really last.
Three of SwordsSwords · Air · 3The Three of Swords shows a single heart pierced by three blades under a grey, rainy sky. It names heartache plainly, and it also carries a quiet promise: rain passes, and the air is clearer afterwards.
Four of SwordsSwords · Air · 4The Four of Swords shows a knight lying at rest in a quiet chapel, hands folded, his battles set aside. It is the card of recovery: a deliberate pause that lets body and mind recharge before the next chapter.
Five of SwordsSwords · Air · 5The Five of Swords shows one figure gathering up blades while two others walk away with heads bowed. It is the card of the argument nobody really wins, and it asks whether this particular fight was worth having.
Six of SwordsSwords · Air · 6The Six of Swords shows a small boat leaving choppy water behind and gliding towards a quieter shore. It is a card of transition and recovery: moving, slowly but surely, from a hard season into a better one.
Seven of SwordsSwords · Air · 7The Seven of Swords shows a man tiptoeing away from a camp with an armful of blades. It speaks of strategy, cleverness and avoiding direct confrontation, and it asks honestly whether the method you are using is one you can stand behind.
Eight of SwordsSwords · Air · 8The Eight of Swords shows a blindfolded woman, loosely bound, standing inside a fence of swords. She feels trapped, yet the way out is open. It is a card about the prisons our thoughts can build, and how they can be taken apart.
Nine of SwordsSwords · Air · 9The Nine of Swords shows someone sitting up in bed at night, face in their hands. It is the card of worries that feel larger in the dark than they are in daylight, and of learning to calm the mind that keeps them awake.
Ten of SwordsSwords · Air · 10The Ten of Swords shows a figure lying under the darkest sky, with a golden dawn breaking along the horizon. It marks a cycle that has fully ended: there is nowhere further down to go, and the only direction left is up.
Page of SwordsSwords · Air · PageThe Page of Swords stands on a windswept hill with a raised sword, scanning every direction. It is the card of curiosity, quick observation and fresh news, the moment when questions start and learning begins.
Knight of SwordsSwords · Air · KnightThe Knight of Swords charges at full speed through a fierce wind, sword raised high. He embodies quick decisions and unstoppable drive, and he also shows what happens when speed outruns direction.
Queen of SwordsSwords · Air · QueenThe Queen of Swords sits on a throne above the clouds, sword held straight, one hand extended. She represents clear judgement earned through experience, and honesty that keeps its warmth.
King of SwordsSwords · Air · KingThe King of Swords sits facing forward, sword held straight, on a throne beneath a clear sky. He stands for fair judgement grounded in knowledge and principle, the mature authority of a mind that governs itself.🪙Pentacles · Earth 14
Ace of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · AceThe Ace of Pentacles is a single solid gold coin resting on an open palm. It is not a mood or an idea but an opportunity you can hold: the first seed of something that can take root in real life.
Two of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · 2The Two of Pentacles shows a figure juggling two coins with a light, dancing step. It is the card of keeping several things moving at once, such as work and home or income and bills, with flexibility and good humour.
Three of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · 3The Three of Pentacles shows a stonemason at work in a cathedral while two people review his plans. It is the card of building something together, and of skill that is starting to be noticed and valued.
Four of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · 4The Four of Pentacles shows a figure holding four coins tightly against head, chest and feet. It speaks of the security of keeping what you have, and of the stiffness that comes when you hold on so tightly that nothing new can come in.
Five of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · 5The Five of Pentacles shows two people walking through falling snow past a glowing stained-glass window. It depicts hardship and feeling left out, and it also shows that warmth and help are much closer than they seem.
Six of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · 6The Six of Pentacles shows a merchant holding a set of scales while handing coins to two kneeling people. It speaks of generosity and support, and of the fair balance between giving and receiving.
Seven of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · 7The Seven of Pentacles shows a farmer leaning on his hoe, gazing at coins growing on a leafy vine. It marks the pause in the middle of long work, a moment to look back at your effort while what you planted keeps growing.
Eight of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · 8The Eight of Pentacles shows a craftsman at his workbench, carefully carving one coin after another. It is the card of practice, focus and the quiet diligence that slowly turns effort into real skill.
Nine of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · 9The Nine of Pentacles shows a woman standing at ease in a garden heavy with ripe grapes, a falcon resting on her gloved hand. It is the card of abundance you have built for yourself, and the quiet joy of independence.
Ten of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · 10The Ten of Pentacles shows an old man, a young couple, a child and two dogs gathered at the archway of a family estate. It is the card of lasting stability, where one person's success grows into a foundation for family, community and the generations to come.
Page of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · PageThe Page of Pentacles stands in a green field, holding a single coin in both hands and studying it intently. It is the card of the serious beginner: a student who has found something worth learning and a practical goal worth working towards.
Knight of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · KnightThe Knight of Pentacles sits on a heavy horse that has come to a halt before a freshly ploughed field. He is not fast, but he finishes what he starts. This is the card of responsibility, consistency and patient, reliable work.
Queen of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · QueenThe Queen of Pentacles sits in a garden full of flowers and fruit, gazing tenderly at the pentacle in her lap. She looks after home and people, money and body alike. This is the card of practical care and generous, grounded abundance.
King of PentaclesPentacles · Earth · KingThe King of Pentacles sits on a throne carved with bulls, wearing a robe woven with grapevines. He represents achievement built over many years, the ability to manage resources responsibly, and a stability that does not waver.