Tarot card meanings
All 78 cards of the Rider–Waite–Smith tradition, each with upright and reversed meanings, love and work readings, a yes/no lean and a question to reflect on. Search by name or by theme, like “hope” or “conflict”.
78 cards
- beginnings, trust0✦The Fool
- skill, focusI✦The Magician
- intuition, stillnessII✦The High Priestess
- abundance, nurtureIII✦The Empress
- structure, authorityIV✦The Emperor
- tradition, teachingV✦The Hierophant
- choice, unionVI✦The Lovers
- willpower, directionVII✦The Chariot
- courage, patienceVIII✦Strength
- solitude, reflectionIX✦The Hermit
- cycles, changeX✦Wheel of Fortune
- fairness, truthXI✦Justice
- pause, surrenderXII✦The Hanged Man
- endings, transitionXIII✦Death
- balance, moderationXIV✦Temperance
- attachment, temptationXV✦The Devil
- upheaval, revelationXVI✦The Tower
- hope, renewalXVII✦The Star
- uncertainty, dreamsXVIII✦The Moon
- joy, successXIX✦The Sun
- awakening, reckoningXX✦Judgement
- completion, wholenessXXI✦The World
- spark, inspirationAWandsAce of Wands
- planning, visionIIWandsTwo of Wands
- expansion, foresightIIIWandsThree of Wands
- celebration, homeIVWandsFour of Wands
- competition, frictionVWandsFive of Wands
- victory, recognitionVIWandsSix of Wands
- defence, perseveranceVIIWandsSeven of Wands
- speed, movementVIIIWandsEight of Wands
- resilience, persistenceIXWandsNine of Wands
- burden, responsibilityXWandsTen of Wands
- curiosity, enthusiasmPWandsPage of Wands
- adventure, actionKnWandsKnight of Wands
- confidence, warmthQWandsQueen of Wands
- vision, leadershipKWandsKing of Wands
- new feelings, compassionACupsAce of Cups
- partnership, mutual attractionIICupsTwo of Cups
- friendship, celebrationIIICupsThree of Cups
- apathy, contemplationIVCupsFour of Cups
- grief, regretVCupsFive of Cups
- nostalgia, memoriesVICupsSix of Cups
- choices, fantasyVIICupsSeven of Cups
- walking away, seeking moreVIIICupsEight of Cups
- contentment, satisfactionIXCupsNine of Cups
- harmony, familyXCupsTen of Cups
- creative ideas, sensitivityPCupsPage of Cups
- romance, charmKnCupsKnight of Cups
- compassion, emotional depthQCupsQueen of Cups
- emotional balance, diplomacyKCupsKing of Cups
- clarity, truthASwordsAce of Swords
- stalemate, difficult choiceIISwordsTwo of Swords
- heartbreak, griefIIISwordsThree of Swords
- rest, recoveryIVSwordsFour of Swords
- conflict, hollow victoryVSwordsFive of Swords
- transition, moving onVISwordsSix of Swords
- strategy, stealthVIISwordsSeven of Swords
- feeling trapped, restrictionVIIISwordsEight of Swords
- anxiety, worryIXSwordsNine of Swords
- painful ending, rock bottomXSwordsTen of Swords
- curiosity, new ideasPSwordsPage of Swords
- ambition, fast thinkingKnSwordsKnight of Swords
- clear boundaries, honestyQSwordsQueen of Swords
- intellect, authorityKSwordsKing of Swords
- opportunity, prosperityAPentaclesAce of Pentacles
- balance, adaptabilityIIPentaclesTwo of Pentacles
- teamwork, craftIIIPentaclesThree of Pentacles
- security, controlIVPentaclesFour of Pentacles
- hardship, isolationVPentaclesFive of Pentacles
- generosity, giving and receivingVIPentaclesSix of Pentacles
- patience, long-term viewVIIPentaclesSeven of Pentacles
- diligence, masteryVIIIPentaclesEight of Pentacles
- self-sufficiency, comfortIXPentaclesNine of Pentacles
- legacy, familyXPentaclesTen of Pentacles
- ambition, studyPPentaclesPage of Pentacles
- hard work, routineKnPentaclesKnight of Pentacles
- nurturing, practicalityQPentaclesQueen of Pentacles
- abundance, securityKPentaclesKing of Pentacles
How the deck is organised
The Major Arcana are 22 numbered cards, from 0 The Fool to XXI The World, often read as a journey through life's big lessons. The Minor Arcana are 56 cards in four suits: Wands (fire, energy), Cups (water, feelings), Swords (air, thought) and Pentacles (earth, the material world).
Reversed meanings here follow the common modern approach: the card's energy is blocked, internalised, delayed or overdone. Some readers skip reversals entirely, and every reading tool on this site lets you turn them off.
Questions people ask
How many cards are in a tarot deck?
78: 22 Major Arcana cards (The Fool to The World) and 56 Minor Arcana cards split into four suits of 14: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles, each with Ace to Ten plus Page, Knight, Queen and King.
What is the difference between the Major and Minor Arcana?
The Major Arcana describe big life themes and turning points. The Minor Arcana describe everyday situations, feelings and people. A reading full of Majors suggests something significant.
Which deck are these meanings based on?
The Rider–Waite–Smith deck, designed by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith (1909). Most modern decks follow its structure and imagery.
Do I have to memorise all 78 meanings?
No. Learn the four suits and what each number means (Aces are beginnings, Tens are endings of a cycle), and you can reason your way to most Minor Arcana cards. The Major Arcana are worth learning one by one.