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The 22 Major Arcana: Tarot Card Meanings
The major arcana are the 22 trump cards of tarot, numbered 0 (The Fool) to XXI (The World). Read in order, they tell 'the Fool's journey', a story of growth from innocence to completion. Below is each card's traditional upright meaning, the image at its heart in the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition and a reflective prompt, plus notes on reading majors in a spread.
The Fool's journey
Many readers picture the majors as one journey. The Fool sets out and meets teachers and powers (the Magician to the Hierophant). Next come choices and tests (the Lovers to the Hermit), then change and the underworld (the Wheel to the Tower). The journey ends in renewal and wholeness (the Star to the World). Seeing the sequence makes the cards easier to remember.
0 – The Fool
Picture
The beginner who steps off the cliff edge, trusting the road.
Traditional meaning
New beginnings, a leap of faith.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see new beginnings right now?
I – The Magician
Picture
The one who lays all four suit tools on the table and uses them.
Traditional meaning
Skill, willpower, using what you have.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see skill right now?
II – The High Priestess
Picture
The keeper of the veil between the pillars.
Traditional meaning
Intuition, the hidden, inner knowing.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see intuition right now?
III – The Empress
Picture
The mother of the garden, crops and comfort.
Traditional meaning
Abundance, nurture, creativity.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see abundance right now?
IV – The Emperor
Picture
The father on the stone throne, building order.
Traditional meaning
Structure, authority, stability.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see structure right now?
V – The Hierophant
Picture
The teacher of the tradition and its rites.
Traditional meaning
Tradition, teaching, belonging.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see tradition right now?
VI – The Lovers
Picture
The meeting of two paths and the choice it brings.
Traditional meaning
Choice, union, values.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see choice right now?
VII – The Chariot
Picture
The driver holding two opposing horses on course.
Traditional meaning
Drive, direction, will.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see drive right now?
VIII – Strength
Picture
The figure who calms a lion with gentle hands.
Traditional meaning
Gentle courage, patience.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see gentle courage right now?
IX – The Hermit
Picture
The seeker with a lantern on the mountain.
Traditional meaning
Solitude, reflection, inner light.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see solitude right now?
X – Wheel of Fortune
Picture
The turning wheel that lifts and lowers everyone.
Traditional meaning
Cycles, change, turning points.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see cycles right now?
XI – Justice
Picture
The judge with the sword and scales.
Traditional meaning
Fairness, truth, consequence.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see fairness right now?
XII – The Hanged Man
Picture
The figure hanging calmly, seeing the world upside down.
Traditional meaning
Pause, surrender, seeing anew.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see pause right now?
XIII – Death
Picture
The rider who clears the field for new growth.
Traditional meaning
Endings that make room, transformation (rarely literal).
Reflect
Where in your life do you see endings that make room right now?
XIV – Temperance
Picture
The angel pouring water between two cups.
Traditional meaning
Balance, moderation, blending.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see balance right now?
XV – The Devil
Picture
The chained pair who could slip their chains if they chose.
Traditional meaning
Attachment, temptation, shadow.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see attachment right now?
XVI – The Tower
Picture
The lightning strike that topples a false crown.
Traditional meaning
Sudden upheaval, revelation.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see sudden upheaval right now?
XVII – The Star
Picture
The figure pouring water under a starry sky after the storm.
Traditional meaning
Hope, renewal, calm after storm.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see hope right now?
XVIII – The Moon
Picture
The moonlit path between two towers, with dog and wolf.
Traditional meaning
Uncertainty, dreams, illusion.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see uncertainty right now?
XIX – The Sun
Picture
The child on a white horse in full sunlight.
Traditional meaning
Joy, clarity, vitality.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see joy right now?
XX – Judgement
Picture
The trumpet call that wakes the sleepers.
Traditional meaning
Awakening, reckoning, a calling.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see awakening right now?
XXI – The World
Picture
The dancer in the wreath, the journey complete.
Traditional meaning
Completion, wholeness, a cycle closing.
Reflect
Where in your life do you see completion right now?
Reading majors in a spread
A spread with many majors is traditionally read as weightier, touching themes bigger than day-to-day matters. A single major among minors often points to the core of the question.
Common misreadings
Death rarely means physical death in tradition. It stands for an ending that makes room for something new. The Devil is about attachment, not evil. The Tower can bring relief as much as shock. UK delivery is £3.95, free on orders over £40, and usually takes 2–5 working days.
The major arcana at a glance
| Card | Keywords |
|---|---|
| The Fool | Beginnings, innocence, a leap of faith |
| The Magician | Will, skill, manifestation |
| The High Priestess | Intuition, mystery, inner knowing |
| The Empress | Abundance, nurture, creativity |
| The Emperor | Structure, authority, stability |
| The Hierophant | Tradition, teaching, belonging |
| The Lovers | Love, harmony, meaningful choice |
| The Chariot | Willpower, momentum, victory |
| Strength | Courage, compassion, gentle power |
| The Hermit | Solitude, reflection, inner light |
| Wheel of Fortune | Cycles, fate, turning points |
| Justice | Truth, fairness, cause and effect |
| The Hanged Man | Surrender, pause, new perspective |
| Death | Endings, transformation, release |
| Temperance | Balance, patience, alchemy |
| The Devil | Attachment, temptation, shadow |
| The Tower | Sudden change, revelation, awakening |
| The Star | Hope, renewal, serenity |
| The Moon | Dreams, illusion, the unconscious |
| The Sun | Joy, vitality, success |
| Judgement | Awakening, calling, renewal |
| The World | Completion, wholeness, arrival |
Words worth knowing
- Major arcana: the 22 trump cards, from the Fool to the World.
- Minor arcana: the 56 suit cards: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.
- Court cards: the Page, Knight, Queen and King of each suit.
- Spread: a layout of cards with a meaning for each position.
- Reversal: a card that comes out upside down, read by some with a different meaning.
- Significator: a card chosen to represent the person asking.
- Querent: the person asking the question.
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Questions answered
How many major arcana cards are there?
Twenty-two, numbered 0 to XXI.
Is the Death card bad?
Traditionally it signals transformation and endings, not literal death.
Why are Strength and Justice numbered differently in some decks?
The Rider-Waite-Smith deck (1909) made Strength VIII and Justice XI. Marseille-style decks keep Justice as VIII and Strength as XI.
What if I draw lots of major arcana?
Readers usually take it as a sign that the question touches big life themes.
Do I need to be psychic to read the major arcana?
No. Most readers use tarot as a tool for reflection: the pictures prompt you to think about a situation from new angles.
How long does it take to learn the major arcana?
You can read simple spreads within a week using a guidebook. Knowing all 78 cards by heart usually takes a few months of regular practice.
Should I cleanse my deck before learning the major arcana?
Many readers like to, by shuffling it thoroughly, leaving it in moonlight or passing it through incense smoke. It is a tradition, not a requirement.
Does the 22 Major Arcana guide make any health claims?
No. We describe spiritual and traditional uses as tradition and belief, never as health, medical or financial advice. For any health concern, speak to a qualified professional.
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