The 78 Tarot Card Names: A Complete List in Order

Introduction

A tarot deck is more than a collection of 78 cards; it's a complete narrative system and a powerful tool for self-reflection. From The Fool's first step to the World's final lesson, each card plays a specific role in a story that mirrors our own lives. Mastering this system begins with one crucial step: learning the names of the players.

Knowing all the tarot card names in their proper order is the foundation for any successful reading practice. It helps you recognize patterns, understand the flow between the Major and Minor Arcana, and build a confident connection with your deck. Without this framework, the cards can feel like a random assortment of images rather than a cohesive tool for insight and guidance.

This guide provides a complete, organized list of all 78 cards in their traditional order, offering a clear roadmap to understanding the language of the tarot.

How the 78 Tarot Cards Are Categorized

A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards, each with its own unique imagery and symbolism. To understand the full list of tarot card names, it's essential to first recognize how the deck is structured. The cards are divided into two main sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The term "Arcana" comes from the Latin word arcanum, meaning "secret" or "mystery."

The Major Arcana consists of 22 trump cards that represent significant life events, spiritual lessons, and major archetypal themes. These cards depict the soul's journey through life, from the innocence of new beginnings (The Fool) to the completion and integration of experience (The World). When a Major Arcana card appears in a reading, it often signals a moment of profound importance or a major life transition that requires your attention, representing the "why" behind your circumstances.

The Minor Arcana, on the other hand, is made up of 56 cards that reflect the day-to-day challenges, joys, and situations we encounter. These cards are further divided into four suits, much like a standard deck of playing cards. They provide context and detail to the major themes presented by the Major Arcana, grounding the reading in practical, everyday reality and illustrating the "how" of your life's unfolding story.

Understanding this fundamental division is the first step in learning all tarot cards in order, starting with the powerful narrative of the Major Arcana.

The Major Arcana: 22 Cards of the Soul's Journey

The 22 cards of the Major Arcana form the backbone of the tarot deck, outlining the universal stages of human experience. They are often interpreted as a sequential story known as "The Fool's Journey," which represents an individual's path through life and toward spiritual enlightenment. Each card marks a pivotal stage of development, a powerful archetype, or a profound lesson. Because they carry such significant weight, their appearance in a reading is always noteworthy and points to larger life themes at play.

Here is the complete list of tarot cards that make up the Major Arcana, presented in their traditional order:

0 - The Fool
I - The Magician
II - The High Priestess
III - The Empress
IV - The Emperor
V - The Hierophant
VI - The Lovers
VII - The Chariot
VIII - Strength
IX - The Hermit
X - Wheel of Fortune
XI - Justice
XII - The Hanged Man
XIII - Death
XIV - Temperance
XV - The Devil
XVI - The Tower
XVII - The Star
XVIII - The Moon
XIX - The Sun
XX - Judgement
XXI - The World

While the Major Arcana outlines the great spiritual lessons of our lives, the Minor Arcana fills in the details of our daily experiences, showing how these grand themes manifest in our actions, thoughts, feelings, and material circumstances.

The Minor Arcana: 56 Cards of Daily Life

The Minor Arcana contains 56 cards and provides a detailed look at the practicalities of everyday life. This section of the deck is divided into four suits, each corresponding to a different element and area of human experience. Each suit contains 14 cards: ten numbered cards (Ace through Ten) that show the progression of an idea or situation from its inception to its completion, and four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) that often represent people, personality traits, or different levels of mastery over the suit's energy.

The Suit of Wands: Energy, Passion, and Creativity

Associated with the element of Fire, the Suit of Wands represents passion, ambition, creativity, and action. These cards speak to your drive, career, personal projects, and the energy you bring into the world. They signify the spark of inspiration, the pursuit of a goal, and the will to make things happen, whether in launching a new business venture or channeling your energy into a creative hobby.

Ace of Wands
Two of Wands
Three of Wands
Four of Wands
Five of Wands
Six of Wands
Seven of Wands
Eight of Wands
Nine of Wands
Ten of Wands
Page of Wands
Knight of Wands
Queen of Wands
King of Wands

From the fiery energy of Wands that drives us forward, we move to the fluid realm of emotions represented by the Suit of Cups, which explores the inner world that fuels our actions.

The Suit of Cups: Emotions, Relationships, and Intuition

The Suit of Cups is linked to the element of Water and governs the world of emotions, relationships, intuition, and love. These cards explore the full spectrum of feelings, from profound joy and connection to deep sorrow and loss. They often highlight matters of the heart, the dynamics of friendships and romantic partnerships, and the importance of trusting your intuitive guidance.

Ace of Cups
Two of Cups
Three of Cups
Four of Cups
Five of Cups
Six of Cups
Seven of Cups
Eight of Cups
Nine of Cups
Ten of Cups
Page of Cups
Knight of Cups
Queen of Cups
King of Cups

Following the emotional landscape of Cups, the Suit of Swords invites us to explore the realm of the mind, where our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality.

The Suit of Swords: Thoughts, Challenges, and Truth

Representing the element of Air, the Suit of Swords delves into the realm of intellect, thoughts, communication, and challenges. This suit addresses our beliefs, attitudes, and the power of our minds. While it can signify conflict, struggle, and difficult truths, it also represents moments of profound clarity, logic, ethical decision-making, and the triumph of justice. It reminds us that our mindset is a powerful force in overcoming obstacles.

Ace of Swords
Two of Swords
Three of Swords
Four of Swords
Five of Swords
Six of Swords
Seven of Swords
Eight of Swords
Nine of Swords
Ten of Swords
Page of Swords
Knight of Swords
Queen of Swords
King of Swords

Finally, after navigating our passions, emotions, and thoughts, we ground ourselves in the tangible world with the Suit of Pentacles.

The Suit of Pentacles: Material World, Finances, and Work

The Suit of Pentacles is connected to the element of Earth and pertains to the material aspects of life. This includes finances, career, work, property, and physical health. These cards speak to our relationship with the physical world, highlighting themes of security, prosperity, manifestation, and the value of hard work. They address everything from long-term investments and career growth to our connection with nature and bodily well-being.

Ace of Pentacles
Two of Pentacles
Three of Pentacles
Four of Pentacles
Five of Pentacles
Six of Pentacles
Seven of Pentacles
Eight of Pentacles
Nine of Pentacles
Ten of Pentacles
Page of Pentacles
Knight of Pentacles
Queen of Pentacles
King of Pentacles

With a complete list of all 78 tarot card names now at your disposal, let's address some common questions that beginners often have.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tarot Card Names

What are the most important cards in the tarot deck?

While every card has value, the 22 Major Arcana cards are generally considered the most significant. They signify major life events, karmic lessons, and profound spiritual shifts that have a long-term impact. The appearance of a Major Arcana card demands attention, as it points to a significant theme in the querent's life journey. However, the importance of any single card ultimately depends on its position in a spread and the context of the question being asked.

Why is it important to learn all tarot cards in order?

Learning all tarot cards in order provides a crucial framework for understanding the deck's narrative structure. For the Major Arcana, the order tells the story of The Fool's Journey, showing a clear progression of spiritual and personal development. For the Minor Arcana, the sequence from Ace to Ten within each suit illustrates a cycle of growth, from the initial spark of an idea (Ace) to its ultimate culmination or conclusion (Ten). Knowing this order helps you interpret cards not just as standalone meanings but as part of a larger, developing story, adding immense depth to your readings. Simple layouts like the three-card tarot spread are excellent for practicing this narrative approach.

How many cards are in a tarot deck?

A standard tarot deck, such as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, contains exactly 78 cards. This total is broken down into two main sections: the 22 Major Arcana cards and the 56 Minor Arcana cards. The Minor Arcana is further subdivided into four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles), with 14 cards in each suit.

Conclusion

The 78 cards of the tarot, with their clear division between the profound Major Arcana and the practical Minor Arcana, provide a comprehensive map of the human experience. Understanding this structure—from the archetypal lessons of the Fool's Journey to the daily concerns reflected in the four suits—is the foundational step for any aspiring reader. This knowledge transforms the deck from a collection of images into a cohesive narrative tool for introspection and guidance. Even a simple one-card tarot pull for daily guidance can become more profound with this foundational knowledge.

Mastering the names and order is essential, but the true power of tarot is unlocked when these individual meanings are woven together into a meaningful story. Looking ahead, the practice of tarot is evolving beyond simple divination into a dynamic tool for psychological insight, creative brainstorming, and strategic decision-making. The real journey begins not with memorization, but with learning to listen to the unique story the cards tell in every reading. The challenge isn't just to know the cards, but to use them as a mirror to unlock deeper self-awareness and navigate the path ahead with clarity and purpose.