The Meaning of Every Tarot Card, Explained for You

Some tarot cards look dramatic—but they don’t have to scare you! The 78 cards invite you to look at career turning points, complicated friendships, or big decisions from a different perspective. Here, you’ll discover the meanings behind every card and how to connect their symbolism with your intuition. Not as a fixed destiny, but as a prompt to rethink your situation.

How to find your way into tarot

Tarot brings together knowledge of the cards, visual language, and personal perception. Many popular interpretations are based on the illustrations in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. But what a card brings up for you matters, too: What memory comes to mind? Which detail catches your eye? What thoughts are on your mind as you shuffle?

Start with a single card and an open-ended question, such as: “What would I like to focus on?” Later, you can try a three-card spread or a more elaborate reading. Treat the meanings as a starting point: depending on the question, a card can highlight different aspects.

Major and Minor Arcana: the key difference

The 22 Major Arcana cards symbolically trace the Fool’s journey. They deal with fundamental life themes, turning points, and important decisions. The 56 Minor Arcana cards focus more on everyday life. Each of their four suits includes an Ace, Two through Ten, and Page, Knight, Queen, and King.

The Major Arcana: 22 powerful life prompts

• The Fool: Curiosity and new beginnings meet a willingness to take risks. Try something new, but stay alert.
• The Magician: You have useful skills. Put your tools to work instead of just dreaming.
• The High Priestess: Trust your intuition and pay attention to what your inner knowing is telling you.
• The Empress: Creativity, sensuality, and self-love. Nurture important relationships or creative projects.
• The Emperor: Security and structure take on importance. At the same time, question your need for control.
• The Hierophant: Your beliefs and traditions shape you. Don’t rush past steps that need to be taken.
• The Lovers: Connection and harmony go hand in hand with a decision that needs your attention.
• The Chariot: Several paths are open to you. Choose one and move forward with determination.
• Strength: True strength combines perseverance with compassion, generosity, and inner calm.
• The Hermit: Take time for reflection when important answers are still out of reach.
• The Wheel of Fortune: Luck, fate, and the right timing take center stage.
• Justice: Assess decisions objectively. Fairness and compromise can restore balance.
• The Hanged Man: Patience and letting go can help when you can’t force things right now.
• Death: A symbolic ending makes profound change and a fresh start possible.
• Temperance: Keep working patiently. Steady steps matter more than forcing the pace.
• The Devil: Question limiting habits and entanglements that get in the way of your personal growth.
• The Tower: Unexpected insights or changes shake up the old and make room for new foundations.
• The Star: Hope, self-care, and optimism open up an encouraging new perspective.
• The Moon: Not everything is visible yet. Pay attention to your intuition and hidden connections.
• The Sun: Success, joy, and unbridled enthusiasm invite you to savor the moment.
• Judgement: Reflect on past decisions and their consequences. Make room for forgiveness.
• The World: Honor a chapter that has come to a close before beginning the next one.

The Cups: feelings, relationships, and intuition

The Cups correspond to water. They shed light on love, emotional connections, and your inner world.

• Ace of Cups: An emotional fresh start opens up new possibilities for love and closeness.
• Two of Cups: Reflect on a special connection and the balance between you.
• Three of Cups: Enjoy friendship, community, and the reassuring feeling of belonging.
• Four of Cups: Broaden your perspective so you don’t overlook the opportunities already around you.
• Five of Cups: Acknowledge disappointment without overlooking the good that remains.
• Six of Cups: Memories or people from your past may once again capture your attention.
• Seven of Cups: Carefully distinguish realistic options from tempting but misleading fantasies.
• Eight of Cups: Stepping away from what disappoints you can help you grow and see things in a fresh light.
• Nine of Cups: Wishes and contentment take center stage. Enjoy the good moments.
• Ten of Cups: Open yourself to joy, closeness, and the possibility of emotional fulfillment.
• Page of Cups: Pay attention to unexpected encounters and develop a better understanding of your feelings.
• Knight of Cups: Romantic gestures and loving offers bring movement to relationships.
• Queen of Cups: Compassion and intuition help you support others—and accept support in return.
• King of Cups: Share emotional experiences and look beyond your own concerns.

The Wands: drive and creative sparks

The Wands belong to fire. Their focus is on creativity, action, and bold new beginnings.

• Ace of Wands: Use your creative spark as a starting point for new projects.
• Two of Wands: You’re growing and discovering new sides of your identity.
• Three of Wands: The groundwork you’ve laid is opening up opportunities. Dare to broaden your horizons.
• Four of Wands: Celebrate your connections and create a home with a solid foundation.
• Five of Wands: Tell the difference between healthy competition and rivalry that needlessly consumes your attention.
• Six of Wands: Recognition and success invite you to appreciate your achievements.
• Seven of Wands: Stay determined when resistance arises. Your work isn’t finished yet.
• Eight of Wands: Travel, fast-moving news, or swift action may come into play now.
• Nine of Wands: Draw on your resilience for a challenging final stretch to the finish line.
• Ten of Wands: Reassess your obligations and work smarter instead of constantly pushing yourself harder.
• Page of Wands: New opportunities spark your sense of adventure. Still, avoid making rash decisions.
• Knight of Wands: Pursue bold plans without becoming restless and unfocused.
• Queen of Wands: Be your authentic self and use your creative energy with confidence.
• King of Wands: Take the lead and put your unique talents to work for others, too.

The Pentacles: resources and tangible results

The Pentacles correspond to earth. They deal with work, money, resources, and material stability.

• Ace of Pentacles: New material opportunities invite you to make the most of what’s on offer.
• Two of Pentacles: Set priorities and tackle tasks one at a time instead of juggling them all at once.
• Three of Pentacles: Seek collaboration and help rather than trying to handle everything alone.
• Four of Pentacles: Protect what you’ve built without becoming overly attached to your possessions.
• Five of Pentacles: When facing disappointment, look for support and resources you may have overlooked.
• Six of Pentacles: Generosity requires a conscious balance between giving and receiving.
• Seven of Pentacles: Trust the work you’ve already put in and give the results time to grow.
• Eight of Pentacles: Refine your skills through focus, practice, and consistent effort.
• Nine of Pentacles: Enjoy what you’ve achieved and let yourself accept the recognition you deserve.
• Ten of Pentacles: Community, prosperity, and the legacy you leave behind become more important.
• Page of Pentacles: Practical support and new opportunities make your plans feel more achievable.
• Knight of Pentacles: Persistence and reliable support help you make lasting progress.
• Queen of Pentacles: Combine material success with groundedness instead of constantly pushing yourself too hard.
• King of Pentacles: Financial or intellectual progress can inspire others, too.

The Swords: thoughts and clear decisions

The Swords belong to air. They turn your attention to logic, communication, and mental challenges.

• Ace of Swords: Clarity, important news, and breakthroughs in thinking open up new perspectives.
• Two of Swords: Stalled conversations or deadlocked decisions call for a closer look.
• Three of Swords: Disappointment and heartbreak invite honest reflection.
• Four of Swords: Give your mind a rest; if you like, jot down any dreams you remember.
• Five of Swords: Question victories achieved through methods that may have put others at a disadvantage.
• Six of Swords: A transition calls for leaving something behind while also making new progress possible.
• Seven of Swords: Look into inconsistencies and consider who you trust with information.
• Eight of Swords: Recognize the limitations you may be imposing on yourself.
• Nine of Swords: Worries are demanding your attention. Give your thoughts some distance.
• Ten of Swords: Let go of what you can’t change, despite your best efforts.
• Page of Swords: Follow your curiosity and put your exciting ideas into action.
• Knight of Swords: Pursue new ideas with determination and sustained effort.
• Queen of Swords: Look at situations objectively and seek a solution that makes sense.
• King of Swords: Take time to check the facts and use your sound judgment.

Your interpretation starts with looking closely

You don’t have to memorize every meaning right away. Start with one card and connect its imagery to your question. Knowledge gives you a sense of direction, while your intuition adds personal context. In this way, tarot invites you to look more closely, question your own thinking, and discover new perspectives.