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Tarot Card Meanings

Every Tarot card in the deck has its own unique meaning. When you know what each Tarot card means, you can understand the messages and advice they are trying to send you! Click on any Tarot card below to learn its meaning.

Tarot Cards FAQ

Major Arcana

The Major Arcana Tarot cards reveal messages about the big picture of your life and its long-term direction.

The Fool
The Fool
The Magician
The Magician
The High Priestess
The High Priestess
The Empress
The Empress
The Emperor
The Emperor
The Hierophant
The Hierophant
The Lovers
The Lovers
The Chariot
The Chariot
Strength
Strength
The Hermit
The Hermit
Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune
Justice
Justice
The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man
Death
Death
Temperance
Temperance
The Devil
The Devil
The Tower
The Tower
The Star
The Star
The Moon
The Moon
The Sun
The Sun
Judgement
Judgement
The World
The World

The Wands

The Wands cards are about action, initiative, and invention. They help to guide how you move through your life, advising when to move and when to hold back.

Ace of Wands
Ace of Wands
Two of Wands
Two of Wands
Three of Wands
Three of Wands
Four of Wands
Four of Wands
Five of Wands
Five of Wands
Six of Wands
Six of Wands
Seven of Wands
Seven of Wands
Eight of Wands
Eight of Wands
Nine of Wands
Nine of Wands
Ten of Wands
Ten of Wands
Page of Wands
Page of Wands
Knight of Wands
Knight of Wands
Queen of Wands
Queen of Wands
King of Wands
King of Wands

The Cups

The Cups cards represent your emotions, intuition, and relationships. They can guide you in love and help you understand and process your highest and lowest feelings.

Ace of Cups
Ace of Cups
Two of Cups
Two of Cups
Three of Cups
Three of Cups
Four of Cups
Four of Cups
Five of Cups
Five of Cups
Six of Cups
Six of Cups
Seven of Cups
Seven of Cups
Eight of Cups
Eight of Cups
Nine of Cups
Nine of Cups
Ten of Cups
Ten of Cups
Page of Cups
Page of Cups
Knight of Cups
Knight of Cups
Queen of Cups
Queen of Cups
King of Cups
King of Cups

The Swords

The Swords cards are all about challenges. They can tell you when conflict and heartache are looming and help you harness the strength of your own mind.

Ace of Swords
Ace of Swords
Two of Swords
Two of Swords
Three of Swords
Three of Swords
Four of Swords
Four of Swords
Five of Swords
Five of Swords
Six of Swords
Six of Swords
Seven of Swords
Seven of Swords
Eight of Swords
Eight of Swords
Nine of Swords
Nine of Swords
Ten of Swords
Ten of Swords
Page of Swords
Page of Swords
Knight of Swords
Knight of Swords
Queen of Swords
Queen of Swords
King of Swords
King of Swords

The Pentacles

The Pentacles cards are associated with your work, finances, and domestic life. They can answer questions about your personal goals and your money, family, and health.

Ace of Coins
Ace of Coins
Two of Coins
Two of Coins
Three of Coins
Three of Coins
Four of Coins
Four of Coins
Five of Coins
Five of Coins
Six of Coins
Six of Coins
Seven of Coins
Seven of Coins
Eight of Coins
Eight of Coins
Nine of Coins
Nine of Coins
Ten of Coins
Ten of Coins
Page of Coins
Page of Coins
Knight of Coins
Knight of Coins
Queen of Coins
Queen of Coins
King of Coins
King of Coins

Tarot cards FAQ's

What are Tarot Cards?

Tarot cards are small, paper cards that come in a deck, similar to playing cards, and are used for divinatory purposes. Each card represents a different archetypal being or lesson. A person shuffles the cards, then lays them out in a Tarot card spread. Understanding what each Tarot card means when it is revealed can help a person receive an important message or embrace a new perspective in any situation.

How many cards are in a Tarot deck?

There are 78 Tarot cards in a complete deck. The first 22 are called the Major Arcana Tarot cards. The remaining 56 Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit contains 14 cards, including 10 numbered cards plus a Page, Knight, Queen, and King.

How do you read Tarot cards?

There are four basic steps when you’re reading Tarot cards: First, consider your question, then select a Tarot spread with positions that relate to that question. Next, you'll shuffle the cards and lay them out in that spread, and finally, interpret the cards to answer your question. Anyone can learn how to read Tarot cards. There are many spreads available online to inspire you, and you don’t have to have the meaning of every card memorized -- you can look up the meanings by clicking on the cards above! Still, the traditional meaning of the Tarot cards is only part of it -- it's your own emotions and intuition that will help you understand how the cards that are revealed apply to your unique situation.

How do you shuffle Tarot cards?

Shuffling the Tarot cards before a reading is essential. It allows you to focus on why you’re doing the reading and to imprint your energy on the cards. Before shuffling, take a moment to relax and tune in to your intuition. Then, mix up the cards in any way that feels right -- cut or fan the deck over and over, or simply jumble the cards on the table and put them back together. There is no wrong way to shuffle your Tarot cards. No matter how you shuffle, it’s the intention that really matters. As you shuffle, be present and truly focus on the question for which you need answers.

Are Tarot cards evil?

Certainly not. Tarot cards rely on your intuition to shuffle and select the cards and to understand how they apply to you -- there is no evil force guiding them. If you’re wondering “Are Tarot cards safe?” then the answer is yes, absolutely. They are not meant to bring forth spirits or bad luck, they are intended to inspire awareness and help you discover healthy and successful ways to approach any part of your life.

Tarot birth card

Each Major Arcana Tarot card represents a powerful archetype, so you may wonder, “What Tarot card am I?” There’s one specific Tarot card that is your Tarot Birth Card -- it’s connected to your birth date and acts as a reminder of the unique power within you. Discover the rich symbolism in your Tarot Birth Card and how it acts as your secret weapon...

Where to buy Tarot cards

While there are Tarot card decks available in many specialty shops and online, we have a huge selection of Tarot decks right here on Tarot.com that is unlike any other on the Internet! From deck information to the individual card artwork in each deck, we're sure you'll find one that's just right for YOU. Once you see one you like, just click Buy This Tarot Deck!

Daily Tarot card

You don’t have to do a major reading to benefit from the wisdom of Tarot cards. A Daily Tarot card provides valuable insight into the energies influencing you at this very moment -- or guidance for any situation that will unfold for you throughout the day. The advice of just one Tarot card a day can help you approach whatever is happening to you with greater clarity and empowerment.