Tarot: All 78 Card Meanings

The Hanged Man

Pause, letting go, a new view

A man hangs upside down by one foot, calm, with a glow around his head. He is waiting on purpose and seeing things differently.

Death

Endings, change, a fresh start

A rider in black armor carries a flag with a white rose while the sun rises between two towers. One chapter closes so another can open.

Temperance

Balance, patience, moderation

An angel pours water from one cup to another, with one foot on land and one in the water: mixing things in the right measure.

The Devil

Temptation, habits, feeling stuck

Two figures stand beneath a horned figure, held by chains loose enough to lift off. What holds you is often a habit you can drop.

The Tower

Sudden change, upheaval, truth

Lightning strikes a tall tower and knocks the crown off its top. Something built on shaky ground comes down fast and shows what is real.

The Star

Hope, healing, renewal

A figure kneels by a pool pouring out water under one large star and seven small ones: calm and hope after a hard time.

The Moon

Illusion, dreams, uncertainty

A dog and a wolf howl at the moon while a crayfish climbs out of the water onto a winding path. Things are hard to see clearly at night.

The Sun

Joy, success, warmth

A child rides a white horse under a big bright sun, with sunflowers behind: plain, open happiness.

Judgement

Awakening, a calling, renewal

An angel blows a trumpet and people rise with open arms: a wake-up call to look back honestly and start again.

The World

Completion, wholeness, achievement

A dancer floats inside a wreath with four figures in the corners of the card. The journey is complete.

Ace of Wands

Spark, inspiration, a new idea

A hand reaches out of a cloud holding a wand that is sprouting leaves: raw energy and the first spark of an idea.

Two of Wands

Planning, big decisions, the future

A man holds a small globe and looks out from a castle wall. The plan is made and the world is ahead.

Three of Wands

Expansion, foresight, progress

A figure watches ships sail out across the sea. Plans are in motion and you are looking further ahead.

Four of Wands

Celebration, home, harmony

A garland hangs between four wands and people celebrate in front of a castle: a happy milestone at home.

Five of Wands

Competition, clashing, rivalry

Five people swing wands at each other in a scrappy tangle, everyone pulling their own way.

Six of Wands

Victory, recognition, pride

A rider wearing a laurel wreath passes through a cheering crowd: a win that everyone can see.

Seven of Wands

Standing firm, defense, persistence

A man on high ground holds off six wands from below, keeping his position under pressure.

Eight of Wands

Speed, fast news, momentum

Eight wands fly through open air. Things move quickly and news arrives.

Nine of Wands

Resilience, grit, one last push

A bandaged figure leans on one wand and guards a row of eight more: tired, but still standing.

Ten of Wands

Burden, overload, responsibility

A figure bends forward under a heavy bundle of ten wands: carrying too much at once.

Page of Wands

Curiosity, exploring, fresh ideas

A young person studies a tall wand with interest, standing in a desert: eager to explore.

Knight of Wands

Adventure, passion, rushing in

A knight charges ahead on a rearing horse: bold, fast and impatient.

Queen of Wands

Confidence, charm, determination

A queen on her throne holds a sunflower, with a black cat at her feet: warm and sure of herself.

King of Wands

Vision, leadership, boldness

A king leans forward on his throne with a small salamander beside him: a leader who sees the big picture.

Ace of Cups

New feelings, love, compassion

A hand holds up an overflowing cup with a dove above it: a heart opening.

Two of Cups

Partnership, connection, respect

Two people face each other and exchange cups: a bond between equals.

Three of Cups

Friendship, celebration, community

Three friends raise their cups together in a dance: celebrating with the people around you.

Four of Cups

Apathy, rethinking, a missed offer

A person sits under a tree with arms crossed and does not notice a cup held out from a cloud.

Five of Cups

Loss, regret, what still remains

A cloaked figure looks down at three spilled cups while two full cups still stand behind.

Six of Cups

Nostalgia, memories, kindness

A child hands another child a cup filled with flowers: sweet memories and simple kindness.

Seven of Cups

Choices, daydreams, wishful thinking

A figure faces seven cups floating in clouds, each holding a different prize. There are many options and not all of them are real.

Eight of Cups

Walking away, searching, moving on

A figure walks away from eight stacked cups toward the mountains under a moon, leaving something behind to look for more.

Nine of Cups

Contentment, gratitude, satisfaction

A pleased man sits with his arms folded in front of nine cups in a row, happy with what he has.

Ten of Cups

Happiness, family, togetherness

A couple lift their arms to a rainbow of ten cups while two children play beside them: happiness at home.

Page of Cups

Imagination, sensitivity, a message

A young person looks at a fish popping out of a cup: a surprise from the imagination.

Knight of Cups

Romance, charm, following the heart

A knight rides slowly forward holding out a cup: an offer led by feeling.

Queen of Cups

Compassion, calm, emotional care

A queen sits by the sea gazing at an ornate closed cup, paying close attention to feelings.

King of Cups

Emotional balance, calm, diplomacy

A king sits calmly on a throne that floats on a rough sea: steady feelings in stormy water.

Ace of Swords

Clarity, truth, a breakthrough

A hand holds one upright sword topped with a crown: a clear thought cutting through confusion.

Two of Swords

Indecision, stalemate, hard choice

A blindfolded figure holds two crossed swords, stuck between two options and putting off the choice.

Three of Swords

Heartbreak, grief, hurt

Three swords cross through a heart under rain clouds: the sting of sad news or hurt feelings.

Four of Swords

Rest, recovery, quiet time

The stone figure of a knight lies at rest in a quiet chapel, with three swords on the wall and one beneath: time to stop and recover.

Five of Swords

Conflict, winning at a cost, tension

A smirking figure gathers up swords while two others walk away: a win that costs more than it gives.

Six of Swords

Transition, moving on, calmer waters

A ferryman steers a boat with two passengers and six swords toward a calmer shore, leaving rough water behind.

Seven of Swords

Trickery, strategy, getting away

A figure tiptoes away from a camp carrying five swords and leaving two behind: acting on the sly.

Eight of Swords

Feeling boxed in, self-doubt, limits

A blindfolded figure stands among eight swords with the path out still open. The limits are partly in the mind.

Nine of Swords

Worry, anxiety, sleepless nights

A person sits up in bed with their face in their hands and nine swords on the wall behind: worries feel biggest at night.

Ten of Swords

Painful ending, defeat, rock bottom

Ten swords mark a final defeat while the sky brightens on the horizon. It is the lowest point, and the only way left is up.

Page of Swords

Watchful, quick thinking, questions

A young person holds a sword up on a windy hill and looks back over one shoulder: alert and full of questions.

Knight of Swords

Ambition, haste, charging ahead

A knight charges at full speed into the wind with his sword raised: quick to act, sometimes too quick.

Queen of Swords

Honesty, clear mind, independence

A queen sits upright with a sword held straight up and one hand open: honest, clear and able to stand on her own.

King of Swords

Logic, authority, clear judgment

A king faces straight ahead on his throne holding a sword: decisions made by reason and fairness.

Ace of Pentacles

New opportunity, prosperity, a start

A hand holds a single gold coin above a garden: a real-world opportunity to grow.

Two of Pentacles

Juggling, balance, adapting

A figure juggles two coins inside a looping ribbon while ships ride the waves behind: keeping things steady as they change.

Three of Pentacles

Teamwork, skill, learning

A stonemason works in a cathedral while two others hold the plans: good work done together.

Four of Pentacles

Saving, security, holding on tight

A figure hugs one coin, with another on the crown and two underfoot: holding tightly to what you have.

Five of Pentacles

Hardship, worry, feeling left out

Two figures walk through snow past a lit stained-glass window: a hard time, with help closer than it seems.

Six of Pentacles

Generosity, giving, sharing

A merchant holding scales gives coins to two people kneeling: giving and receiving fairly.

Seven of Pentacles

Patience, long-term effort, waiting

A farmer leans on a hoe and looks at coins growing on a vine, pausing to see how the long work is paying off.

Eight of Pentacles

Practice, craft, dedication

A craftsman at a bench carves one coin after another: getting good through practice.

Nine of Pentacles

Self-reliance, comfort, reward

A figure stands in a vineyard with a hooded falcon on one hand, enjoying comfort they built themselves.

Ten of Pentacles

Legacy, family, lasting security

An old man sits with two dogs while a family stands under an archway marked with ten coins: something lasting, passed down.

Page of Pentacles

Studying, ambition, a new goal

A young person gazes at a coin held up in both hands: focused on learning and on a new goal.

Knight of Pentacles

Hard work, routine, reliability

A knight sits on a heavy horse that is standing still, holding a coin: slow, steady and dependable.

Queen of Pentacles

Practical care, comfort, generosity

A queen cradles a coin in a garden with a rabbit nearby: looking after people in practical ways.

King of Pentacles

Security, discipline, abundance

A king sits on a throne decorated with bulls, in a robe patterned with vines: stability built through discipline.