The 22 cards of the Major Arcana are traditionally understood to represent significant life themes, from beginnings to endings. Below is a brief overview of each card’s commonly associated meaning.
| 0. The Fool | New beginnings, spontaneity, a leap of faith |
| I. The Magician | Willpower, resourcefulness, manifestation |
| II. The High Priestess | Intuition, mystery, inner knowledge |
| III. The Empress | Abundance, nurturing, creativity |
| IV. The Emperor | Structure, authority, stability |
| V. The Hierophant | Tradition, convention, shared belief |
| VI. The Lovers | Connection, choice, alignment of values |
| VII. The Chariot | Willpower, determination, forward motion |
| VIII. Strength | Courage, patience, quiet resilience |
| IX. The Hermit | Reflection, solitude, inner guidance |
| X. Wheel of Fortune | Cycles, change, turning points |
| XI. Justice | Fairness, truth, cause and effect |
| XII. The Hanged Man | Pause, surrender, new perspective |
| XIII. Death | Endings, transformation, release |
| XIV. Temperance | Balance, patience, moderation |
| XV. The Devil | Restriction, attachment, shadow patterns |
| XVI. The Tower | Sudden change, upheaval, revelation |
| XVII. The Star | Hope, renewal, quiet optimism |
| XVIII. The Moon | Uncertainty, intuition, the subconscious |
| XIX. The Sun | Joy, clarity, vitality |
| XX. Judgement | Reflection, reckoning, renewal |
| XXI. The World | Completion, wholeness, achievement |
How to Use This List
Many practitioners use these traditional associations as a starting point, then adjust their interpretation based on the surrounding cards and the question at hand, rather than reading each card in isolation.
Related Reading
New to tarot? Start with our guide to What Is Tarot, or learn how to read your first spread.
