The Complete List of 78 Tarot Cards and Their Meanings

Introduction

A standard tarot deck holds 78 unique keys to understanding life’s journey, from the epic archetypes of the Major Arcana to the everyday situations depicted in the Minor Arcana. Learning the symbolic language of each card is the first step toward insightful readings, but it can often feel like memorizing an entire dictionary at once.

That’s why we’ve created the ultimate quick-reference guide. This complete 78 tarot cards list breaks down the meaning of every card, organized logically by Arcana and suit to help you find what you need quickly. Whether you're a beginner building your foundation or an experienced reader seeking a refresher, this resource is designed to bring clarity and confidence to your practice.

Let’s explore the wisdom each card has to offer, starting with the foundational pillars of the deck: the Major Arcana.

How the 78 Tarot Cards Are Organized

Understanding the structure of a tarot deck is the first step to mastering its language. The 78 tarot cards list is not a random collection; it's a highly organized system divided into two main parts: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. This fundamental division helps readers distinguish between life's major transformative themes and the everyday situations that shape them.

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent significant life events, spiritual lessons, and powerful archetypal themes. These cards depict the "big picture" journey of human consciousness, from the boundless potential of The Fool to the holistic completion of The World. When a Major Arcana card appears in a reading, it signals a moment of profound importance that demands your attention and reflection.

The Minor Arcana consists of the remaining 56 cards and reflects the day-to-day activities, challenges, and emotions we experience. This section is further organized into four suits, much like a standard deck of playing cards, each tied to a classical element and a specific area of life:

Suit of Wands: Associated with the element of Fire, this suit governs passion, creativity, ambition, and willpower. It speaks to the spark of inspiration, career aspirations, and the drive to bring ideas into reality.
Suit of Cups: Associated with the element of Water, this suit represents emotions, relationships, intuition, and matters of the heart. It flows through the landscape of our connections, feelings, and creative expression.
Suit of Swords: Associated with the element of Air, this suit deals with thoughts, communication, conflict, and intellectual challenges. It cuts through illusion to reveal truth, highlighting the power of mindset and the consequences of our decisions.
Suit of Pentacles: Associated with the element of Earth, this suit relates to the material world, including finances, career, physical health, and manifestation. It grounds us in the tangible results of our work and our connection to the physical realm.

Each suit contains 14 cards: an Ace representing the suit's core potential, numbered cards from Two to Ten illustrating the progression of its energy, and four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King) that often represent people, personality traits, or levels of mastery. This complete major and minor arcana list provides a comprehensive framework for interpreting the full spectrum of the human experience.

With this foundational structure in mind, we can now explore the meanings of the powerful Major Arcana cards.

The Complete Major Arcana List and Meanings

The 22 cards of the Major Arcana form the backbone of the tarot deck, each a powerful symbol of a key life lesson or universal experience. This journey represents the soul's evolution toward enlightenment. This tarot card meanings list will guide you through their upright and reversed interpretations.

0. The Fool

Upright Meanings: Beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a free spirit, faith.
Reverse Meanings: Recklessness, being taken advantage of, inconsideration, holding back.

I. The Magician

Upright Meanings: Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action, skill.
Reverse Meanings: Manipulation, poor planning, untapped talents, illusion.

II. The High Priestess

Upright Meanings: Intuition, sacred knowledge, divine feminine, the subconscious mind.
Reverse Meanings: Secrets, disconnected from intuition, withdrawal, silence.

III. The Empress

Upright Meanings: Femininity, beauty, nature, nurturing, abundance.
Reverse Meanings: Creative block, dependence on others, smothering, emptiness.

IV. The Emperor

Upright Meanings: Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure, control.
Reverse Meanings: Domination, excessive control, rigidity, inflexibility.

V. The Hierophant

Upright Meanings: Spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition, institutions.
Reverse Meanings: Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo, rebellion.

VI. The Lovers

Upright Meanings: Love, harmony, relationships, values alignment, choices.
Reverse Meanings: Disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values, conflict.

VII. The Chariot

Upright Meanings: Control, willpower, victory, assertion, determination.
Reverse Meanings: Lack of control, lack of direction, aggression, opposition.

VIII. Strength

Upright Meanings: Strength, courage, patience, control, compassion.
Reverse Meanings: Inner weakness, self-doubt, lack of self-discipline, vulnerability.

IX. The Hermit

Upright Meanings: Soul-searching, introspection, being alone, inner guidance.
Reverse Meanings: Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal from society, paranoia.

X. Wheel of Fortune

Upright Meanings: Good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, a turning point.
Reverse Meanings: Bad luck, resistance to change, breaking cycles, misfortune.

XI. Justice

Upright Meanings: Justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law.
Reverse Meanings: Unfairness, lack of accountability, dishonesty, injustice.

XII. The Hanged Man

Upright Meanings: Pause, surrender, letting go, new perspectives, sacrifice.
Reverse Meanings: Delays, resistance, stalling, indecision, martyrdom.

XIII. Death

Upright Meanings: Endings, change, transformation, transition, letting go.
Reverse Meanings: Resistance to change, personal transformation, inner purging.

XIV. Temperance

Upright Meanings: Balance, moderation, patience, purpose, meaning.
Reverse Meanings: Imbalance, excess, self-healing, re-alignment.

XV. The Devil

Upright Meanings: Shadow self, attachment, addiction, restriction, sexuality.
Reverse Meanings: Releasing limiting beliefs, exploring dark thoughts, detachment.

XVI. The Tower

Upright Meanings: Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening.
Reverse Meanings: Personal transformation, fear of change, averting disaster.

XVII. The Star

Upright Meanings: Hope, faith, purpose, renewal, spirituality.
Reverse Meanings: Lack of faith, despair, self-trust, disconnection.

XVIII. The Moon

Upright Meanings: Illusion, fear, anxiety, subconscious, intuition.
Reverse Meanings: Releasing fear, repressed emotion, inner confusion.

XIX. The Sun

Upright Meanings: Positivity, fun, warmth, success, vitality.
Reverse Meanings: Inner child, feeling down, overly optimistic, pessimism.

XX. Judgement

Upright Meanings: Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution, reflection.
Reverse Meanings: Self-doubt, inner critic, ignoring the call, indecisiveness.

XXI. The World

Upright Meanings: Completion, integration, accomplishment, travel, fulfillment.
Reverse Meanings: Seeking personal closure, short-cuts, delays, emptiness.

While the Major Arcana outlines the great spiritual journey, the Minor Arcana details the everyday steps we take along that path, grounding these profound lessons in our tangible reality.

The Complete Minor Arcana List and Meanings

The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana provide a detailed look into the practicalities and nuances of daily life. This list of all 78 tarot cards and their meanings continues with the four suits, each bringing its unique elemental energy to a reading and offering specific insights into different life areas.

Suit of Wands (Element: Fire)

The Suit of Wands represents energy, passion, creativity, and ambition. These cards often point to career matters, personal projects, and the primal drive to make things happen and pursue our goals with vigor.

Ace of Wands: New ideas, inspiration, growth, potential. Reverse: Lack of energy, delays, creative blocks.
Two of Wands: Planning, making decisions, future vision, progress. Reverse: Fear of the unknown, lack of planning.
Three of Wands: Expansion, foresight, moving forward, opportunities. Reverse: Obstacles, delays, frustration.
Four of Wands: Celebration, harmony, marriage, home, community. Reverse: Lack of support, instability, transition.
Five of Wands: Conflict, competition, disagreements, tension. Reverse: Avoiding conflict, finding common ground.
Six of Wands: Public recognition, victory, success, progress. Reverse: Egotism, lack of recognition, failure.
Seven of Wands: Challenge, competition, perseverance, protection. Reverse: Giving up, overwhelmed, exhaustion.
Eight of Wands: Rapid action, movement, quick decisions, news. Reverse: Delays, frustration, slowing down.
Nine of Wands: Resilience, courage, persistence, boundaries. Reverse: On edge, defensive, paranoia.
Ten of Wands: Burden, extra responsibility, hard work, stress. Reverse: Delegating, releasing burdens, burnout.
Page of Wands: Enthusiasm, exploration, creative sparks, messages. Reverse: Lack of direction, procrastination.
Knight of Wands: Energy, passion, adventure, impulsiveness. Reverse: Haste, scattered energy, frustration.
Queen of Wands: Courage, confidence, independence, social butterfly. Reverse: Selfishness, jealousy, insecurity.
King of Wands: Natural-born leader, vision, entrepreneur, honor. Reverse: Impulsiveness, haste, ruthlessness.

Suit of Cups (Element: Water)

The Suit of Cups delves into the realm of emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity. These cards reflect the state of our hearts, our connections with others, and the flow of our inner emotional world.

Ace of Cups: New love, compassion, creativity, emotional beginnings. Reverse: Blocked emotions, emptiness.
Two of Cups: Unified love, partnership, mutual attraction, connection. Reverse: Break-ups, disharmony, distrust.
Three of Cups: Celebration, friendship, creativity, collaborations. Reverse: Gossip, isolation, overindulgence.
Four of Cups: Apathy, contemplation, disconnection, re-evaluation. Reverse: Retreat, withdrawal, missing opportunities.
Five of Cups: Loss, regret, disappointment, grief, sadness. Reverse: Moving on, acceptance, finding peace.
Six of Cups: Nostalgia, happy memories, reunion, innocence. Reverse: Stuck in the past, moving forward.
Seven of Cups: Choices, opportunities, illusion, wishful thinking. Reverse: Lack of purpose, confusion, reality check.
Eight of Cups: Walking away, disappointment, abandonment, withdrawal. Reverse: Indecision, fear of the unknown.
Nine of Cups: Wishes fulfilled, contentment, satisfaction, gratitude. Reverse: Materialism, dissatisfaction, greed.
Ten of Cups: Divine love, blissful relationships, harmony, alignment. Reverse: Broken home, disharmony, conflict.
Page of Cups: Creative opportunities, intuition, curiosity, possibility. Reverse: Emotional immaturity, creative blocks.
Knight of Cups: Romance, charm, imagination, beauty. Reverse: Unrealistic, jealousy, moodiness.
Queen of Cups: Compassion, calm, intuitive, flowing. Reverse: Emotional insecurity, co-dependency.
King of Cups: Emotionally balanced, compassionate, diplomatic. Reverse: Emotional manipulation, moodiness.

Suit of Swords (Element: Air)

The Suit of Swords is the suit of intellect, thoughts, challenges, and communication. These cards often highlight conflict, truth, and the immense power of the mind to shape our reality.

Ace of Swords: Breakthroughs, new ideas, mental clarity, success. Reverse: Confusion, clouded judgment, chaos.
Two of Swords: Difficult choices, indecision, stalemate, blocked emotions. Reverse: Indecision, confusion, information overload.
Three of Swords: Heartbreak, emotional pain, sorrow, grief, hurt. Reverse: Releasing pain, forgiveness, recovery.
Four of Swords: Rest, relaxation, meditation, contemplation, recuperation. Reverse: Exhaustion, burnout, stagnation.
Five of Swords: Conflict, disagreements, competition, defeat, winning at all costs. Reverse: Reconciliation, making amends.
Six of Swords: Transition, change, rite of passage, releasing baggage. Reverse: Personal transition, resistance to change.
Seven of Swords: Betrayal, deception, getting away with something, strategy. Reverse: Imposter syndrome, keeping secrets.
Eight of Swords: Negative thoughts, self-imposed restriction, imprisonment. Reverse: Self-acceptance, new perspective.
Nine of Swords: Anxiety, worry, fear, depression, nightmares. Reverse: Inner turmoil, deep-seated fears, secrets.
Ten of Swords: Painful endings, deep wounds, betrayal, loss, crisis. Reverse: Recovery, regeneration, resisting an end.
Page of Swords: New ideas, curiosity, thirst for knowledge, energy. Reverse: All talk and no action, haste.
Knight of Swords: Ambitious, action-oriented, driven to succeed. Reverse: Restless, unfocused, impulsive.
Queen of Swords: Independent, unbiased judgment, clear boundaries. Reverse: Overly emotional, easily influenced.
King of Swords: Mental clarity, intellectual power, authority, truth. Reverse: Quiet power, inner truth, manipulation.

Suit of Pentacles (Element: Earth)

The Suit of Pentacles relates to our physical and material world, including finance, work, health, and property. These cards show the tangible results of our efforts and our connection to earthly matters.

Ace of Pentacles: New opportunity, manifestation, prosperity. Reverse: Lost opportunity, lack of planning.
Two of Pentacles: Multiple priorities, time management, prioritization. Reverse: Over-committed, disorganization.
Three of Pentacles: Teamwork, collaboration, learning, implementation. Reverse: Disharmony, misalignment.
Four of Pentacles: Saving money, security, conservatism, scarcity. Reverse: Over-spending, greed, self-protection.
Five of Pentacles: Financial loss, poverty, isolation, worry. Reverse: Recovery from financial loss, spiritual poverty.
Six of Pentacles: Giving, receiving, sharing wealth, charity. Reverse: Self-care, unpaid debts, one-sided charity.
Seven of Pentacles: Long-term view, sustainable results, perseverance. Reverse: Lack of long-term vision, limited success.
Eight of Pentacles: Apprenticeship, repetitive tasks, mastery, skill development. Reverse: Self-development, perfectionism.
Nine of Pentacles: Abundance, luxury, self-sufficiency, financial independence. Reverse: Financial dependency, hustling.
Ten of Pentacles: Wealth, financial security, family, long-term success. Reverse: Financial failure, loneliness.
Page of Pentacles: Manifestation, financial opportunity, skill development. Reverse: Lack of progress, procrastination.
Knight of Pentacles: Hard work, productivity, routine, conservatism. Reverse: Self-discipline, boredom, feeling 'stuck'.
Queen of Pentacles: Nurturing, practical, providing financially, a working parent. Reverse: Financial independence, self-care.
King of Pentacles: Wealth, business, leadership, security, discipline. Reverse: Financially inept, obsessed with wealth.

With this comprehensive list, you now have a powerful interpretive tool at your fingertips. The next step is learning how to apply it effectively to unlock insights during your readings.

How to Use This Tarot Cheat Sheet for Your Readings

Having a complete 78 tarot cards list is invaluable, especially when you are just beginning your journey. This guide is designed to be a practical tool to build both your confidence and your intuitive skills. Instead of attempting to memorize every meaning at once, use this list as a reliable reference to support and deepen your learning process.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step way to use this cheat sheet during a practice reading:

Ask Your Question and Shuffle: Hold your question clearly in your mind as you shuffle the cards. Focus on your intention and allow your energy to connect with the deck, trusting it to provide the guidance you need.
Pull Your Card(s): Lay out the cards in a simple spread. A one-card pull is perfect for daily guidance, while a three-card spread (past, present, future) can offer more narrative depth.
Observe First, Then Reference: Before immediately looking up the meaning, take a moment to observe the card's imagery. What colors, symbols, or characters stand out to you? What feelings or initial thoughts does the card evoke? This crucial step is the foundation of building your unique intuitive connection.
Consult the List: Find the card you pulled in the major and minor arcana list above. Read both the upright and reverse meanings, depending on how the card appeared. Notice how these established keywords resonate with the question you asked and the initial feelings you had.
Weave a Story: Combine your intuition with the keywords from the list to form a coherent message. Don’t just recite the definition; think about how it applies specifically to your situation. For example, if you asked about a relationship conflict and pulled the reversed Two of Cups ("disharmony, distrust"), you can connect this directly to the communication breakdown you're experiencing and explore its root cause.

By consistently using this reference, the meanings will begin to integrate naturally into your understanding. Over time, you'll find yourself relying less on the list and more on your own intuition. This practice transforms a simple cheat sheet into a powerful learning companion on your tarot journey.

Conclusion

Understanding the 78 tarot cards is about more than memorization; it is about learning a rich, symbolic language that speaks directly to the core of the human experience. This guide provides the foundational vocabulary, breaking down the Major Arcana’s profound life lessons and the Minor Arcana’s practical insights into our daily challenges and triumphs. By internalizing this structured system—from the archetypal journey to the four elemental suits—you build the confidence needed to interpret the cards with clarity and purpose.

Looking ahead, the true mastery of tarot lies in using this knowledge not as a rigid set of rules, but as a bridge to your own powerful intuition. The cards are a mirror reflecting the wisdom you already hold within. The ultimate goal isn't just to read the cards, but to use their guidance to make more conscious, empowered choices. For those seeking deeper, personalized insights, consulting with a professional reader can offer invaluable clarity. The real question isn’t what the cards will predict, but how you will use their insights to proactively shape the future you desire.