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TAROT ENCYCLOPEDIA / 78 CARDS

Tarot Card Meanings

Explore all 78 Rider-Waite-Smith tarot cards: Major Arcana, Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Filter by suit and read upright, reversed, symbolic, and situational meanings.

MAJOR ARCANA

Major Arcana

The Fool major_0 The Fool New beginnings, adventure, spontaneity, innocence beginning · openness · risk The Magician major_1 The Magician Creativity, skill, willpower, confidence skill · will · tools The High Priestess major_2 The High Priestess Intuition, mystery, inner knowledge, wisdom intuition · mystery · inner knowledge The Empress major_3 The Empress Abundance, motherhood, creativity, nature abundance · nurture · creativity The Emperor major_4 The Emperor Authority, establishment, achievement, structure authority · structure · order The Hierophant major_5 The Hierophant Spiritual guidance, tradition, faith, education tradition · teaching · institution The Lovers major_6 The Lovers Love, harmony, relationships, values love · harmony · choice The Chariot major_7 The Chariot Victory, willpower, determination, self-control willpower · control · direction Strength major_8 Strength Strength, courage, patience, control courage · patience · restraint The Hermit major_9 The Hermit Introspection, seeking, guidance, wisdom introspection · seeking · solitude Wheel of Fortune major_10 Wheel of Fortune Destiny, turning point, opportunity, change change · cycles · opportunity Justice major_11 Justice Justice, truth, honesty, cause and effect justice · truth · fairness The Hanged Man major_12 The Hanged Man Sacrifice, insight, letting go, suspension suspension · sacrifice · insight Death major_13 Death Endings, change, transformation, transition ending · release · transition Temperance major_14 Temperance Balance, moderation, purpose, harmony balance · moderation · harmony The Devil major_15 The Devil Bondage, materialism, desire, shadow bondage · attachment · materialism The Tower major_16 The Tower Sudden change, chaos, revelation, awakening disruption · exposure · collapse The Star major_17 The Star Hope, faith, purpose, renewal hope · faith · renewal The Moon major_18 The Moon Intuition, subconscious, illusion, fear intuition · subconscious · illusion The Sun major_19 The Sun Joy, vitality, success, truth joy · vitality · success Judgement major_20 Judgement Rebirth, inner calling, release, awakening rebirth · calling · release The World major_21 The World Completion, integration, achievement, travel completion · integration · achievement
WANDS

Wands

Ace of Wands wands_0 Ace of Wands Creative beginnings, inspiration, potential creative beginning · spark · initiative Two of Wands wands_1 Two of Wands Future planning, discovery, choice planning · choice · discovery Three of Wands wands_2 Three of Wands Exploration, leadership, foresight expansion · foresight · exploration Four of Wands wands_3 Four of Wands Stability, harmony, celebration homecoming · celebration · stability Five of Wands wands_4 Five of Wands Competition, conflict, challenge competition · challenge · tension Six of Wands wands_5 Six of Wands Victory, progress, recognition recognition · victory · public progress Seven of Wands wands_6 Seven of Wands Defense, perseverance, challenge defense · challenge · position Eight of Wands wands_7 Eight of Wands Action, movement, rapid development speed · movement · message Nine of Wands wands_8 Nine of Wands Persistence, defense, resilience resilience · defense · persistence Ten of Wands wands_9 Ten of Wands Burden, responsibility, pressure burden · pressure · responsibility Page of Wands wands_10 Page of Wands Inspiration, exploration, free spirit inspiration · discovery · message Knight of Wands wands_11 Knight of Wands Action, adventure, passion action · adventure · momentum Queen of Wands wands_12 Queen of Wands Passion, confidence, creativity confidence · charisma · warmth King of Wands wands_13 King of Wands Leadership, vision, creativity leadership · vision · boldness
CUPS

Cups

Ace of Cups cups_0 Ace of Cups New emotions, intuition, creativity new feeling · compassion · receptivity Two of Cups cups_1 Two of Cups Partnership, attraction, cooperation partnership · attraction · mutuality Three of Cups cups_2 Three of Cups Celebration, friendship, social celebration · friendship · community Four of Cups cups_3 Four of Cups Contemplation, meditation, calm contemplation · apathy · reevaluation Five of Cups cups_4 Five of Cups Disappointment, sadness, regret loss · regret · sadness Six of Cups cups_5 Six of Cups Nostalgia, memories, reunion nostalgia · memories · reunion Seven of Cups cups_6 Seven of Cups Choices, fantasy, opportunities choices · fantasy · options Eight of Cups cups_7 Eight of Cups Abandonment, transformation, pursuit departure · abandonment · search Nine of Cups cups_8 Nine of Cups Satisfaction, happiness, success satisfaction · contentment · wish Ten of Cups cups_9 Ten of Cups Family happiness, harmony, fulfillment harmony · family happiness · fulfillment Page of Cups cups_10 Page of Cups Creativity, sensitivity, new messages sensitivity · creativity · message Knight of Cups cups_11 Knight of Cups Romance, charm, pursuit romance · charm · invitation Queen of Cups cups_12 Queen of Cups Compassion, caring, nurturing compassion · care · intuition King of Cups cups_13 King of Cups Empathy, balance, diplomacy empathy · diplomacy · balance
SWORDS

Swords

Ace of Swords swords_0 Ace of Swords New thinking, truth, breakthrough new thinking · truth · breakthrough Two of Swords swords_1 Two of Swords Choice, balance, decision choice · balance · decision Three of Swords swords_2 Three of Swords Heartbreak, sorrow, loss heartbreak · sorrow · loss Four of Swords swords_3 Four of Swords Rest, recovery, meditation rest · recovery · meditation Five of Swords swords_4 Five of Swords Conflict, failure, competition conflict · failure · competition Six of Swords swords_5 Six of Swords Transition, change, journey transition · change · journey Seven of Swords swords_6 Seven of Swords Deception, strategy, secrets deception · strategy · secrets Eight of Swords swords_7 Eight of Swords Restriction, predicament, helplessness restriction · predicament · helplessness Nine of Swords swords_8 Nine of Swords Anxiety, fear, nightmares anxiety · fear · nightmares Ten of Swords swords_9 Ten of Swords Ending, failure, betrayal ending · failure · betrayal Page of Swords swords_10 Page of Swords New ideas, curiosity, learning new ideas · curiosity · learning Knight of Swords swords_11 Knight of Swords Action, courage, change action · courage · change Queen of Swords swords_12 Queen of Swords Independence, clarity, wisdom independence · clarity · wisdom King of Swords swords_13 King of Swords Intellect, authority, truth intellect · authority · truth
PENTACLES

Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles pentacles_0 Ace of Pentacles Opportunity, prosperity, new beginning opportunity · prosperity · new beginning Two of Pentacles pentacles_1 Two of Pentacles Balance, adaptation, organization balance · adaptation · organization Three of Pentacles pentacles_2 Three of Pentacles Skill, cooperation, quality skill · cooperation · quality Four of Pentacles pentacles_3 Four of Pentacles Security, conservation, moderation security · conservation · moderation Five of Pentacles pentacles_4 Five of Pentacles Hardship, poverty, isolation hardship · poverty · isolation Six of Pentacles pentacles_5 Six of Pentacles Generosity, gifts, prosperity generosity · gifts · prosperity Seven of Pentacles pentacles_6 Seven of Pentacles Patience, perseverance, development patience · perseverance · development Eight of Pentacles pentacles_7 Eight of Pentacles Skill, detail, focus skill · detail · focus Nine of Pentacles pentacles_8 Nine of Pentacles Independence, luxury, self-sufficiency independence · luxury · self-sufficiency Ten of Pentacles pentacles_9 Ten of Pentacles Wealth, security, tradition wealth · security · tradition Page of Pentacles pentacles_10 Page of Pentacles Opportunity, learning, practice opportunity · learning · practice Knight of Pentacles pentacles_11 Knight of Pentacles Efficiency, routine, responsibility efficiency · routine · responsibility Queen of Pentacles pentacles_12 Queen of Pentacles Abundance, security, practical abundance · security · practical King of Pentacles pentacles_13 King of Pentacles Wealth, practical, success wealth · practical · success
78

Tarot card meanings chart: all 78 cards, upright and reversed

One table with the upright and reversed meaning of all 78 cards. Select a card name for its full meaning: love, career, health, money, and how to read it by spread position.

CardUpright meaningReversed meaning
Major Arcana
The Fool New beginnings, adventure, spontaneity, innocence Recklessness, foolishness, danger, stupidity
The Magician Creativity, skill, willpower, confidence Lack of skill, indecision, manipulation
The High Priestess Intuition, mystery, inner knowledge, wisdom Hidden motives, superficial knowledge, confusion
The Empress Abundance, motherhood, creativity, nature Dependence, overprotection, creative blocks
The Emperor Authority, establishment, achievement, structure Tyranny, rigidity, excessive control
The Hierophant Spiritual guidance, tradition, faith, education Dogma, restriction, rebellion, distrust
The Lovers Love, harmony, relationships, values Disharmony, imbalance, conflicting values
The Chariot Victory, willpower, determination, self-control Lack of control, aggression, obstacles
Strength Strength, courage, patience, control Weakness, self-doubt, lack of confidence
The Hermit Introspection, seeking, guidance, wisdom Loneliness, isolation, losing direction
Wheel of Fortune Destiny, turning point, opportunity, change Bad luck, resistance, unwanted change
Justice Justice, truth, honesty, cause and effect Injustice, dishonesty, imbalance
The Hanged Man Sacrifice, insight, letting go, suspension Delays, resistance, futility
Death Endings, change, transformation, transition Stagnation, resistance to change, denial
Temperance Balance, moderation, purpose, harmony Imbalance, excess, discord
The Devil Bondage, materialism, desire, shadow Liberation, breaking free, facing fears
The Tower Sudden change, chaos, revelation, awakening Avoiding destruction, fear of change, suppression
The Star Hope, faith, purpose, renewal Despair, lack of faith, loss of confidence
The Moon Intuition, subconscious, illusion, fear Releasing fears, hidden truths, inner confusion
The Sun Joy, vitality, success, truth Temporary depression, lack of confidence
Judgement Rebirth, inner calling, release, awakening Self-doubt, refusing change
The World Completion, integration, achievement, travel Incompletion, delays, lack of closure
Wands
Ace of Wands Creative beginnings, inspiration, potential Creative blocks, delays, hesitation
Two of Wands Future planning, discovery, choice Fear of change, indecision, delay
Three of Wands Exploration, leadership, foresight Lack of foresight, delays, obstacles
Four of Wands Stability, harmony, celebration Instability, lack of support, delay
Five of Wands Competition, conflict, challenge Avoiding conflict, inner struggle
Six of Wands Victory, progress, recognition Overconfidence, delays, bad news
Seven of Wands Defense, perseverance, challenge Giving up, overwhelmed, pressure
Eight of Wands Action, movement, rapid development Delays, frustration, internal conflict
Nine of Wands Persistence, defense, resilience Stubbornness, exhaustion, over-defensive
Ten of Wands Burden, responsibility, pressure Excessive pressure, exhaustion
Page of Wands Inspiration, exploration, free spirit Setbacks, lack of direction, restraint
Knight of Wands Action, adventure, passion Recklessness, impatience, delays
Queen of Wands Passion, confidence, creativity Suspicion, lack of confidence, dependency
King of Wands Leadership, vision, creativity Tyranny, temper, lack of vision
Cups
Ace of Cups New emotions, intuition, creativity Emotional blockage, lack of inspiration
Two of Cups Partnership, attraction, cooperation Disharmony, imbalance, separation
Three of Cups Celebration, friendship, social Overindulgence, loneliness, disappointment
Four of Cups Contemplation, meditation, calm Stagnation, missed opportunities, depression
Five of Cups Disappointment, sadness, regret New hope, acceptance, moving forward
Six of Cups Nostalgia, memories, reunion Stuck in past, fantasy, missing present
Seven of Cups Choices, fantasy, opportunities Reality, clarity, wrong choices
Eight of Cups Abandonment, transformation, pursuit Fear of change, stagnation, hesitation
Nine of Cups Satisfaction, happiness, success Complacency, materialism, emptiness
Ten of Cups Family happiness, harmony, fulfillment Disharmony, breakdown, conflicting values
Page of Cups Creativity, sensitivity, new messages Emotional immaturity, bad news
Knight of Cups Romance, charm, pursuit Deception, dishonesty, manipulation
Queen of Cups Compassion, caring, nurturing Emotional dependency, insecurity, moody
King of Cups Empathy, balance, diplomacy Emotional manipulation, lack of empathy
Swords
Ace of Swords New thinking, truth, breakthrough Chaos, violence, false victory
Two of Swords Choice, balance, decision Indecision, confusion, tension
Three of Swords Heartbreak, sorrow, loss Recovery, forgiveness, release
Four of Swords Rest, recovery, meditation Anxiety, stress, unrest
Five of Swords Conflict, failure, competition Reconciliation, turning point, release
Six of Swords Transition, change, journey Stagnation, obstacles, inner conflict
Seven of Swords Deception, strategy, secrets Revelation, self-deception, failure
Eight of Swords Restriction, predicament, helplessness Release, new perspective, freedom
Nine of Swords Anxiety, fear, nightmares Releasing fears, hope, recovery
Ten of Swords Ending, failure, betrayal Recovery, rebirth, relief
Page of Swords New ideas, curiosity, learning Distraction, delays, conflict
Knight of Swords Action, courage, change Recklessness, aggression, conflict
Queen of Swords Independence, clarity, wisdom Cruelty, coldness, revenge
King of Swords Intellect, authority, truth Abuse of power, manipulation, cruelty
Pentacles
Ace of Pentacles Opportunity, prosperity, new beginning Missed opportunity, material loss
Two of Pentacles Balance, adaptation, organization Imbalance, chaos, wrong priorities
Three of Pentacles Skill, cooperation, quality Low quality, laziness, lack of teamwork
Four of Pentacles Security, conservation, moderation Greed, materialism, insecurity
Five of Pentacles Hardship, poverty, isolation Recovery, improvement, help
Six of Pentacles Generosity, gifts, prosperity Selfishness, debt, inequality
Seven of Pentacles Patience, perseverance, development Lack of vision, insufficient work, failure
Eight of Pentacles Skill, detail, focus Perfectionism, lack of focus
Nine of Pentacles Independence, luxury, self-sufficiency Material dependency, insecurity
Ten of Pentacles Wealth, security, tradition Material loss, family problems
Page of Pentacles Opportunity, learning, practice Lack of progress, laziness, waste
Knight of Pentacles Efficiency, routine, responsibility Laziness, stagnation, boredom
Queen of Pentacles Abundance, security, practical Selfishness, materialism, insecurity
King of Pentacles Wealth, practical, success Greed, corruption, materialism
78 CARDS

How to look up upright and reversed meanings for all 78 tarot cards

Every card page in this guide gives the upright meaning, the reversed meaning, the Rider-Waite-Smith imagery, and love, career, health, and money readings, with sources listed at the end. The 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana are grouped above; use the search box to jump to a card by name.

Reversed meanings here are not simple opposites. A reversal points to the same theme blocked, delayed, turned inward, or overdone, and each card page says which reading fits which context. These 78 meanings are also the local library a CHATAROT.AI reading uses as context, so what you read here matches what a reading refers to.

Card meanings are symbolic reference material, not medical, legal, financial, mental health, safety, or crisis advice.

SPREADS · GUIDE

Ask with the right structure

SPREAD / 1 · DAILY Daily Card A light one-card spread for daily guidance or a single intuitive signal. SPREAD / 3 · TIME-FLOW Time Flow Past, present, future. Useful when you need the shape of a situation. SPREAD / 5 · CHOICE Choice Spread Compare paths, tradeoffs, and possible outcomes when two options are open. SPREAD / 10 · CELTIC Celtic Cross A fuller reading of the current situation, obstacles, influences, and trends.
CHATAROT.AI · AI TAROT READING

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The encyclopedia explains one card; a reading combines your question, spread position, and the relationships between multiple cards. Choose a spread and let CHATAROT.AI place this card back into your question.

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