Tarot Card Meanings: A Complete Guide to the 78 Cards

Introduction

Every tarot card tells a story, but not about a fixed future—it tells the story of you. Each of the 78 cards serves as a mirror, reflecting the archetypes, challenges, and opportunities that shape our lives. Understanding their symbolic language empowers you to find clarity in complexity, navigate uncertainty with confidence, and connect more deeply with your own intuition.

Learning to interpret this rich symbolism can feel overwhelming at first, which is why we created this all-in-one guide. Here, you will find a clear, comprehensive reference for all tarot deck meanings, from the profound spiritual lessons of the Major Arcana to the everyday experiences detailed in the Minor Arcana. This guide is designed to be your trusted companion, whether you are pulling your first card or seeking to deepen a lifelong practice. Let’s explore the wisdom held within the deck and unlock the powerful insights waiting for you.

Understanding the Structure of a Tarot Deck

A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards, each with its own unique symbolism and significance. To begin deciphering tarot deck meanings, it is essential to understand its two main components: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Think of the Major Arcana as the overarching story of life's spiritual journey, representing significant, unavoidable life events and archetypal themes that shape our experiences on a macro level. The Minor Arcana, on the other hand, illustrates the day-to-day situations, challenges, and joys that we encounter along this path, providing the micro-level context.

Together, these two parts create a rich tapestry for divination and self-reflection. The Major Arcana provides the "what" and "why" of our journey—the major life lessons—while the Minor Arcana fills in the "how" and "when" with practical details. Understanding this fundamental structure is the first step toward unlocking the profound wisdom held within the cards. Having established this framework, let's begin with the powerful cards of the Major Arcana, which form the very backbone of the tarot's story.

The Major Arcana: The Soul's Journey

The 22 cards of the Major Arcana represent the significant milestones and lessons on our collective journey from innocence to wisdom. Often called "trump cards," they signify profound influences and turning points that are largely beyond our immediate control. Each card is an archetype—a universal symbol representing a core aspect of the human experience. When a Major Arcana card appears in a reading, it signals that you are dealing with a major life theme that demands your attention and reflection.

Here is a complete Major Arcana tarot card meanings list to guide you through this powerful sequence.

0. The Fool

The Fool represents new beginnings, faith, and unbridled spontaneity. He stands on the edge of a cliff, ready to leap into the unknown with pure trust and an open heart. This card encourages embracing a fresh start, taking a calculated risk, and adopting a beginner's mindset. It signifies the start of a journey where the possibilities are truly endless.

1. The Magician

The Magician is a master of manifestation, wielding the power of the four elements to shape his reality. This card signifies willpower, skill, and the ability to turn ideas into tangible results. When The Magician appears, it is a powerful sign that you possess all the resources and tools you need to achieve your goals.

2. The High Priestess

The High Priestess is the guardian of the subconscious, intuition, and hidden knowledge. She sits between two pillars, representing the bridge between the seen and unseen worlds. This card calls on you to trust your inner voice, look beyond the obvious, and connect with your intuitive wisdom. Secrets and profound insights may soon be revealed.

3. The Empress

The Empress embodies femininity, creativity, and abundance in all its forms. Surrounded by nature, she is a symbol of fertility, nurturing, and comfort. This card suggests a time of potent growth, a deep connection with the natural world, and an invitation to enjoy the sensual pleasures of life.

4. The Emperor

The Emperor represents authority, structure, and strategic control. He sits on a stone throne, a symbol of stability and solid foundations. This card signifies leadership, discipline, and the establishment of order from chaos. It encourages taking charge of your life and building a lasting legacy.

5. The Hierophant

The Hierophant is a symbol of tradition, established institutions, and spiritual guidance. He represents established beliefs, formal education, and conformity to shared values. This card can point to a mentor or teacher, or suggest the need to follow a conventional path to achieve your goals.

6. The Lovers

The Lovers card signifies union, harmony, and choices that stem from the heart. While it often represents a deep, soul-level partnership, it also speaks to the importance of aligning your actions with your personal values. This card asks you to make a conscious choice that is true to your authentic self.

7. The Chariot

The Chariot represents victory, determination, and immense willpower. The charioteer uses his focus to control two opposing forces, driving forward with confidence and control. This card is a clear sign of success, ambition, and overcoming obstacles through sheer force of will.

8. Strength

Strength depicts a woman gently taming a lion, symbolizing inner courage, compassion, and self-control. It teaches that true Strength is not about brute force, but about mastering one's instincts and fears with patience and gentle influence. This card encourages you to face challenges with grace and resilience.

9. The Hermit

The Hermit represents introspection, soul-searching, and inner guidance. He holds a lantern to light his own path, seeking wisdom from within. This card suggests a necessary period of withdrawal from the noise of the external world to find answers, clarity, and a deeper sense of purpose.

10. Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune symbolizes cycles, destiny, and inevitable turning points. Life is always in motion, bringing both ups and downs. This card is a powerful reminder that change is the only constant and that a significant shift in luck or circumstance is on the horizon.

11. Justice

Justice represents fairness, truth, and the law of cause and effect. Holding the scales of balance and the sword of truth, this card indicates that decisions will be made impartially and with clarity. It speaks to accountability, integrity, and the consequences of your actions.

12. The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man symbolizes surrender, new perspectives, and the wisdom of letting go. By hanging upside down, he sees the world from a completely different angle. This card suggests that a period of pause, sacrifice, or non-action is needed to gain enlightenment.

13. Death

The Death card rarely signifies a literal death. Instead, it represents profound transformation, necessary endings, and powerful new beginnings. It is about clearing away the old to make way for the new. This card signifies an unavoidable and ultimately positive transition.

14. Temperance

Temperance represents balance, moderation, and patience. An angel blends water between two cups, symbolizing the merging of opposites to create a harmonious whole. This card encourages a calm, balanced approach to life and the wisdom of finding a middle ground.

15. The Devil

The Devil represents bondage, addiction, and materialism. It points to self-imposed limitations and negative patterns that keep you feeling trapped. This card is a call to action to confront your shadow side, acknowledge unhealthy attachments, and break free from what restricts you.

16. The Tower

The Tower signifies sudden upheaval, chaos, and shocking revelation. A lightning strike destroys a tower built on false foundations, leading to a dramatic and often painful awakening. This card indicates that a foundational change is necessary for new, authentic growth to begin.

17. The Star

The Star is a card of hope, inspiration, and profound serenity. After the chaos of The Tower, it brings a sense of peace, renewal, and faith in the future. This card suggests a period of healing, spiritual connection, and alignment with your true self.

18. The Moon

The Moon represents illusion, fear, and the depths of the subconscious. It illuminates a path of intuition but also casts shadows of uncertainty and anxiety. This card asks you to trust your instincts to navigate a situation where things are not as they seem.

19. The Sun

The Sun is a card of joy, success, and radiant vitality. It radiates positivity, clarity, and abundance in all areas of life. This card is one of the most optimistic in the deck, promising happiness, achievement, and a sense of vibrant, life-affirming energy.

20. Judgement

Judgement represents rebirth, awakening, and a higher calling. It signifies a time of reflection and self-evaluation, where you are called to rise to a new level of consciousness. This card is about absolution, forgiveness, and making a final, life-altering decision.

21. The World

The World represents completion, integration, and profound accomplishment. It marks the successful end of a journey and a sense of wholeness and fulfillment. This card is a sign of celebrating the successful conclusion of a major life cycle and reaping the rewards of your efforts.

While the Major Arcana outlines the grand, archetypal journey, the Minor Arcana fills in the details of our day-to-day lives with practical advice and relatable reflections. These cards show us how the big themes play out in our actions, thoughts, feelings, and material world.

The Minor Arcana: Everyday Life and Experiences

The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana are divided into four suits, each corresponding to a different aspect of human life. These cards reflect the daily activities, emotions, thoughts, and circumstances that we navigate. Understanding the meaning of the tarot suits is key to interpreting these cards accurately. Each suit contains 14 cards: an Ace, numbers Two through Ten, and four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King) that often represent people or personality traits.

The Suit of Wands: Passion, Energy, and Creativity (Fire)

The Wands represent passion, ambition, action, and creativity. Associated with the element of Fire, this suit governs our drive, career aspirations, entrepreneurial projects, and the spark of inspiration that moves us to act. It speaks to our sense of purpose and the energy we bring to our goals.

• Ace of Wands: A new spark of inspiration, potential, and creative energy.
• Two of Wands: Planning, making decisions, and looking toward the future.
• Three of Wands: Expansion, foresight, and waiting for your efforts to pay off.
• Four of Wands: Celebration, harmony, and a happy home life. A milestone achieved.
• Five of Wands: Conflict, competition, and minor disagreements.
• Six of Wands: Victory, public recognition, and success.
• Seven of Wands: Defensiveness, standing your ground, and protecting your position.
• Eight of Wands: Rapid action, movement, and swift communication.
• Nine of Wands: Resilience, perseverance, and nearing the end of a struggle.
• Ten of Wands: Burden, responsibility, and being overworked.
• Page of Wands: Enthusiasm, exploration, and messages of new ideas.
• Knight of Wands: Energy, passion, and acting on impulse.
• Queen of Wands: Confidence, vibrancy, and a warm, determined leader.
• King of Wands: Visionary leadership, charisma, and taking control.

The Suit of Cups: Emotions, Relationships, and Intuition (Water)

The Cups are tied to the element of Water and govern the realm of emotions, relationships, intuition, and love. This suit explores the full spectrum of feelings, from joy and connection to sorrow and loss, highlighting our need for emotional intelligence and authentic connection.

• Ace of Cups: New love, compassion, and emotional beginnings.
• Two of Cups: Partnership, mutual attraction, and connection.
• Three of Cups: Celebration, friendship, and community.
• Four of Cups: Apathy, contemplation, and missed opportunities.
• Five of Cups: Loss, regret, and focusing on what has gone wrong.
• Six of Cups: Nostalgia, childhood memories, and innocence.
• Seven of Cups: Choices, illusions, and wishful thinking.
• Eight of Cups: Walking away, disappointment, and seeking something more.
• Nine of Cups: Wish fulfillment, contentment, and satisfaction.
• Ten of Cups: Emotional fulfillment, happy family life, and harmony.
• Page of Cups: Creative opportunities, curiosity, and emotional messages.
• Knight of Cups: Romance, charm, and following one's heart.
• Queen of Cups: Compassion, intuition, and emotional security.
• King of Cups: Emotional balance, maturity, and compassion.

The Suit of Swords: Thoughts, Challenges, and Truth (Air)

The Swords are associated with the element of Air and represent our thoughts, intellect, challenges, and beliefs. This suit often brings difficult truths and conflicts, but it also offers clarity, logic, and the power of the mind to cut through confusion and establish boundaries.

• Ace of Swords: A breakthrough, new ideas, and mental clarity.
• Two of Swords: A stalemate, difficult decisions, and avoiding the truth.
• Three of Swords: Heartbreak, sorrow, and painful truth.
• Four of Swords: Rest, recuperation, and mental contemplation.
• Five of Swords: Conflict, defeat, and winning at all costs.
• Six of Swords: Transition, moving on, and leaving difficulties behind.
• Seven of Swords: Deception, strategy, and acting alone.
• Eight of Swords: Restriction, feeling trapped, and self-imposed limitations.
• Nine of Swords: Anxiety, worry, and nightmares.
• Ten of Swords: Painful endings, betrayal, and rock bottom.
• Page of Swords: Curiosity, new ideas, and seeking truth.
• Knight of Swords: Ambition, action-oriented, and thinking fast.
• Queen of Swords: Independent thinking, sharp intellect, and clear boundaries.
• King of Swords: Intellectual power, authority, and truth.

The Suit of Pentacles: Material World, Career, and Finances (Earth)

The Pentacles (or Coins) are linked to the element of Earth. They govern the material aspects of life, including finances, career, work, property, and physical health. This suit deals with our tangible world and how we create long-term security, value, and abundance.

• Ace of Pentacles: A new opportunity, manifestation, and prosperity.
• Two of Pentacles: Balance, adaptability, and managing priorities.
• Three of Pentacles: Teamwork, collaboration, and mastery of a skill.
• Four of Pentacles: Conservation, security, and holding on too tightly.
• Five of Pentacles: Financial loss, poverty, and feeling left out.
• Six of Pentacles: Generosity, charity, and giving or receiving help.
• Seven of Pentacles: Patience, long-term vision, and investment.
• Eight of Pentacles: Diligence, craftsmanship, and dedication to a skill.
• Nine of Pentacles: Abundance, luxury, and self-sufficiency.
• Ten of Pentacles: Wealth, legacy, and family inheritance.
• Page of Pentacles: New opportunities, manifestation, and financial news.
• Knight of Pentacles: Hard work, routine, and responsibility.
• Queen of Pentacles: Nurturing, practical, and providing financial security.
• King of Pentacles: Wealth, business leadership, and abundance.

Understanding the individual tarot card meanings is the first critical step; the next is learning how to weave them together into a coherent story for insightful divination and personal guidance.

How to Interpret and Learn Tarot Card Meanings

Knowing the definition of each card is foundational, but the true art of tarot reading lies in interpretation. The cards in a spread create a narrative, and your intuition is the key to unlocking its message. Here are a few practical ways to learn tarot card meanings and apply them effectively.

Reading Cards in Context

No card exists in a vacuum. Its meaning is always influenced by the cards surrounding it in a spread. Look for patterns, connections, and the overarching story.

• Recurring Suits: A spread with many Cups cards points to a situation dominated by emotions and relationships. A majority of Swords might indicate a period of conflict, strategic decision-making, and mental challenges. A prevalence of Pentacles suggests a focus on career, finance, or health.
• Card Combinations: The meaning of a card can be amplified or altered by its neighbors. For example, The Tower (sudden change) followed by The Star (hope) suggests that a difficult upheaval will ultimately lead to healing and peace. The Devil (bondage) next to the Eight of Swords (restriction) could indicate feeling trapped by negative thought patterns, while The Devil next to the Ten of Wands (burden) points to being overwhelmed by material responsibilities. Learning to see these connections transforms a simple reading into a detailed, actionable story.

Understanding Reversed Cards

A reversed (upside-down) card can be intimidating for beginners, but it does not always signify something negative. A reversed card can indicate:

• Blocked Energy: The energy of the card is present but stuck or facing internal or external obstacles. The reversed Strength card, for instance, might suggest self-doubt is preventing you from accessing your inner courage.
• Internal Focus: The card's energy is directed inward for personal reflection. A reversed Empress could mean you need to focus on self-nurturing and creative replenishment rather than caring for others.
• An Imbalance: Too much or too little of the card's energy. A reversed Four of Pentacles could mean you are being reckless with your resources, the opposite of its upright meaning of conservation.
• A Lesson to Revisit: The card may represent a theme from your past that requires further attention before you can move forward.

If you are just starting, feel free to read with upright cards only. You can introduce reversals once you feel more confident with the core tarot card by card meanings.

Building Your Intuition

The definitions in this guide are your starting point, not a rigid set of rules. Your personal intuition, developed through practice, is your most powerful tool. To build it:

1. Look at the Imagery: Before you consult a book or guide, simply look at the card. What story do the images, colors, and symbols tell you? What feelings or thoughts do they evoke in relation to your question?
2. Journal Your Readings: Keep a tarot journal. Pull a card each day and write down your initial impressions. Later, you can compare your intuitive hits with the traditional meaning. This practice helps you build a personal relationship with your tarot deck meanings. Of course, building this relationship starts with choosing from the best tarot cards for beginners that speak to your personal style.
3. Trust Yourself: Over time, you will develop your own unique understanding of the cards. The more you practice, the more your intuition will guide you to the heart of the message, providing nuanced clarity and profound insight for yourself and others.

Conclusion

Learning the tarot is a journey that begins with its elegant structure: the profound life lessons of the Major Arcana and the relatable daily experiences reflected in the four suits of the Minor Arcana. This foundational knowledge provides the vocabulary for understanding the story the cards are ready to tell. True mastery, however, lies not in memorizing definitions but in learning to read the dynamic language of the cards as they interact in a spread.

Looking ahead, the practice of tarot is evolving from a predictive tool to a strategic guide for personal development. By observing how cards connect, recognizing patterns, and considering nuanced meanings, you transform individual symbols into a cohesive narrative for navigating life's complexities. Ultimately, the tarot is a powerful tool for self-reflection and a mirror to your own inner wisdom. Use this guide as your launchpad, but trust that your intuition is the most crucial element in your practice. The real question isn’t just what the cards say about your future—but how you will use their insights to consciously create it.