HomeTarotHoroscopeDreamNumerology
🃏Tarot

Tarot Card Meanings: Complete Upright & Reversed Guide for All 78 Cards

30 min read · Covers all 78 cards · Ideal as a quick reference during readings

The 78 tarot cards are the "complete alphabet" for reading life. This page covers all five groups — Major Arcana (22) and the four Minor suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles (14 each) — with upright meanings and reversed warnings for every card.

🌟 Major Arcana (22 Cards)

The Major Arcana form the soul architecture of tarot — from The Fool to The World, these 22 cards depict the complete journey from innocence to fulfillment. As Rachel Pollack writes in 78 Degrees of Wisdom: "The Major Arcana depict the soul's journey — each card is a vital lesson along the way."

0·The Fool

NeutralAirMajor Arcana

Numbered 0, a carefree traveler standing at the cliff's edge.

Upright: New beginnings, adventure, freedom, innocence. A new journey starting unbound by the past.

🎯 Reversed: Recklessness, hesitation, indecision. Think twice before leaping blindly.

I·The Magician

FavorableAirMajor Arcana

Numbered 1, one hand to heaven one to earth, four elements on the table.

Upright: Creativity, willpower, skill, confidence. The power to turn ideas into reality.

🎯 Reversed: Deception, manipulation, wasted talent. Beware smooth talkers — or untapped potential.

II·The High Priestess

FavorableWaterMajor Arcana

Numbered 2, seated between two pillars, holding a moon crescent scepter.

Upright: Intuition, subconscious, inner wisdom, mystery. Time to listen to your inner voice.

🎯 Reversed: Ignored intuition, superficiality, secrets. Don't dismiss the warning signs within.

III·The Empress

Very FavorableEarthMajor Arcana

Numbered 3, seated in a lush garden, water flowing at her feet.

Upright: Abundance, motherhood, nature, creation, beauty. A double harvest — material and spiritual.

🎯 Reversed: Dependency, overprotection, blocked creativity. Learn independence — don't smother or be smothered.

IV·The Emperor

FavorableFireMajor Arcana

Numbered 4, seated on a stone throne, holding scepter and orb.

Upright: Authority, structure, stability, leadership. The builder of order and rules.

🎯 Reversed: Tyranny, rigidity, loss of control. Too much power — or too little discipline — causes problems.

V·The Hierophant

FavorableEarthMajor Arcana

Numbered 5, in ceremonial robes, blessing two followers.

Upright: Tradition, faith, education, spiritual guidance. Following established rules and ancient wisdom.

🎯 Reversed: Rebellion, unconventional, breaking norms. Sometimes you need to think outside the box.

VI·The Lovers

Very FavorableAirMajor Arcana

Numbered 6, a man and woman embraced beneath an angel's blessing.

Upright: Love, harmony, choice, aligned values. A major emotional or life decision.

🎯 Reversed: Disharmony, value conflict, wrong choice. Re-examine whether your choices are true to your heart.

VII·The Chariot

FavorableWaterMajor Arcana

Numbered 7, driving a chariot pulled by two sphinxes.

Upright: Victory, willpower, determination, forward movement. Overcoming obstacles through sheer will.

🎯 Reversed: Lost direction, lack of control, aggression. Regain the reins — avoid brute force.

VIII·Strength

Very FavorableFireMajor Arcana

Numbered 8, a woman gently touching a lion.

Upright: Inner strength, courage, patience, gentle firmness. The wisdom of softness overcoming hardness.

🎯 Reversed: Self-doubt, weakness, insecurity. Reconnect with your inner courage and confidence.

IX·The Hermit

NeutralEarthMajor Arcana

Numbered 9, an old man with a lantern, walking alone on a mountaintop.

Upright: Introspection, solitude, seeking truth, spiritual guidance. A time for quiet reflection.

🎯 Reversed: Isolation, avoidance, refusing help. Too much solitude becomes closure — step back out.

X·Wheel of Fortune

FavorableFireMajor Arcana

Numbered 10, a great wheel turning, four creatures at the corners.

Upright: Turning point, good fortune, karmic cycles. Destiny is shifting in your favor.

🎯 Reversed: Bad luck, resisting change, loss of control. Accept change as life's constant — the low point will pass.

XI·Justice

FavorableAirMajor Arcana

Numbered 11, a blindfolded goddess holding scales and a sword.

Upright: Fairness, karma, truth, law. Good seeds bear good fruit — a fair verdict.

🎯 Reversed: Injustice, evading responsibility, bias. Face the consequences you've sown.

XII·The Hanged Man

NeutralWaterMajor Arcana

Numbered 12, a man hangs upside-down from a tree, smiling.

Upright: Sacrifice, waiting, new perspective, letting go. Pause to see things from a different angle.

🎯 Reversed: Pointless sacrifice, delay, resistance. Don't keep paying the price for something unworthy.

XIII·Death

UnfavorableWaterMajor Arcana

Numbered 13, a skeleton knight bearing a black banner, all falling.

Upright: Ending, transformation, rebirth, releasing the old. What ends makes room for what begins.

🎯 Reversed: Resisting change, stagnation, fear. The more you resist a necessary ending, the longer you delay the new chapter.

XIV·Temperance

FavorableFireMajor Arcana

Numbered 14, an angel pouring water between two cups.

Upright: Balance, patience, harmony, the middle way. Finding the equilibrium between opposites.

🎯 Reversed: Imbalance, excess, impatience. Some area of life has gone to extremes — recalibrate.

XV·The Devil

UnfavorableEarthMajor Arcana

Numbered 15, a horned beast seated high, two figures chained below.

Upright: Bondage, temptation, materialism, shadow. Trapped by desire or bad habits.

🎯 Reversed: Liberation, awakening, breaking free. Realize the chains can be removed — you chose not to walk.

XVI·The Tower

Very UnfavorableFireMajor Arcana

Numbered 16, a tower struck by lightning, figures falling from it.

Upright: Sudden change, collapse, awakening, truth revealed. False structures are destroyed.

🎯 Reversed: Avoiding disaster, fear of change, inner turmoil. Painful as it is, the collapse clears ground for something real.

XVII·The Star

Very FavorableAirMajor Arcana

Numbered 17, a nude woman kneeling by water, an eight-pointed star above.

Upright: Hope, inspiration, serenity, spiritual renewal. Calm and healing after the storm.

🎯 Reversed: Disappointment, despair, loss of faith. Don't give up — the darkest hour comes just before dawn.

XVIII·The Moon

NeutralWaterMajor Arcana

Numbered 18, moonlight, two beasts howling, a crayfish emerging from water.

Upright: Illusion, fear, subconscious, uncertainty. Truth hides beneath the surface.

🎯 Reversed: Releasing fears, truth emerging, fog lifting. Confusion is dissolving — clarity is coming.

XIX·The Sun

Very FavorableFireMajor Arcana

Numbered 19, a child riding a white horse, sunflowers behind, sun shining.

Upright: Success, joy, vitality, light. All shadows disperse — brightness arrives.

🎯 Reversed: Temporarily blocked joy, excessive optimism. Success is still there — just needs more patience.

XX·Judgement

FavorableFireMajor Arcana

Numbered 20, an angel blowing a trumpet, the dead rising from coffins.

Upright: Awakening, rebirth, calling, life turning point. Hearing your soul's call, making a major decision.

🎯 Reversed: Self-doubt, refusing change, self-examination avoidance. Face your true self with courage.

XXI·The World

Very FavorableEarthMajor Arcana

Numbered 21, a dancer within a wreath, four creatures at the corners.

Upright: Completion, fulfillment, achievement, journey's end. A full cycle has been completed.

🎯 Reversed: Unfinished business, missing closure, delay. The final step hasn't been taken — see it through.

🔥 Wands (14 Cards)

Wands correspond to the Fire element — governing action, creativity, passion, and career. From the Ace's new spark to the King's commanding vision, Wands tell the story from idea to achievement.

Ace of Wands

Very FavorableFireWands

A hand emerges from a cloud holding a sprouting wand.

Upright: New creative inspiration, passion, the spark of action.

🎯 Reversed: Delay, lack of direction, creative block.

Two of Wands

FavorableFireWands

A man stands on a battlement, holding a globe, gazing outward.

Upright: Planning the future, making decisions, far-sightedness.

🎯 Reversed: Indecision, fear of the unknown, lack of planning.

Three of Wands

FavorableFireWands

A figure gazes out to sea, three ships approaching.

Upright: Expanding horizons, collaboration, early results.

🎯 Reversed: Obstacles, broken partnerships, short-sightedness.

Four of Wands

Very FavorableFireWands

Four wands form a garland, people celebrating below.

Upright: Celebration, harmony, family joy, milestone reached.

🎯 Reversed: Discord, transition, family tension.

Five of Wands

UnfavorableFireWands

Five figures clash wands in chaotic combat.

Upright: Competition, conflict, debate, challenge.

🎯 Reversed: Avoiding conflict, inner conflict, reconciliation.

Six of Wands

Very FavorableFireWands

A rider returns in triumph, crowds cheering.

Upright: Victory, recognition, public acclaim, success.

🎯 Reversed: Failure, arrogance, damaged reputation.

Seven of Wands

FavorableFireWands

A figure stands high, defending with one wand against six.

Upright: Standing your ground, courage, one against many.

🎯 Reversed: Yielding, giving up, overwhelmed.

Eight of Wands

FavorableFireWands

Eight wands fly through the sky, racing forward.

Upright: Rapid progress, incoming news, swift action.

🎯 Reversed: Delays, obstacles, haste.

Nine of Wands

NeutralFireWands

A wounded figure leans on a wand, standing guard.

Upright: Resilience, final test, vigilance. Victory is near — hold on.

🎯 Reversed: Exhaustion, giving up, over-defensiveness.

Ten of Wands

UnfavorableFireWands

A figure struggles under the weight of ten wands.

Upright: Overburdened, too many responsibilities, pressure.

🎯 Reversed: Learning to delegate, releasing, lightening the load.

Page of Wands

FavorableFireWands

A young person holds a wand, gazing curiously into the distance.

Upright: Good news, new inspiration, an enthusiastic young person.

🎯 Reversed: Three-minute passion, bad news, lack of direction.

Knight of Wands

FavorableFireWands

A knight gallops on horseback, wand raised.

Upright: Adventure, action, passionate energy, travel.

🎯 Reversed: Impulsiveness, recklessness, unclear direction.

Queen of Wands

FavorableFireWands

A queen sits on a sunflower throne, wand in hand.

Upright: Confident, warm, independent, charismatic.

🎯 Reversed: Jealousy, selfishness, being too domineering.

King of Wands

Very FavorableFireWands

A king sits on a salamander throne, wand in hand.

Upright: Leadership, vision, decisiveness, commanding presence.

🎯 Reversed: Tyranny, impatience, unrealistic expectations.

Wands overview: "Fire governs action and passion. Many Wands in a reading — high energy, creative surge, but watch for impatience and burnout."

🏆 Cups (14 Cards)

Cups correspond to the Water element — governing emotions, relationships, intuition, and the inner world. From the Ace's new love to the King's compassionate wisdom, Cups paint the full spectrum of emotional experience.

Ace of Cups

Very FavorableWaterCups

A cup emerges from a cloud, five streams pouring.

Upright: New love, intuitive awakening, emotional fulfillment.

🎯 Reversed: Suppressed emotions, missed love, emptiness.

Two of Cups

Very FavorableWaterCups

A man and woman exchange cups, a caduceus above.

Upright: Partnership, mutual attraction, equal exchange.

🎯 Reversed: Imbalanced relationship, misunderstanding, separation.

Three of Cups

FavorableWaterCups

Three women raise cups in celebration, fruit surrounds them.

Upright: Celebration, friendship, socializing, teamwork.

🎯 Reversed: Overindulgence, gossip, social fatigue.

Four of Cups

NeutralWaterCups

A figure meditates under a tree, ignoring a fourth cup being offered.

Upright: Dissatisfaction, contemplation, missed opportunity.

🎯 Reversed: Re-engaging, accepting new chances, emerging from apathy.

Five of Cups

UnfavorableWaterCups

A black-cloaked figure stares at three overturned cups, two standing behind.

Upright: Loss, grief, focusing only on what's gone.

🎯 Reversed: Accepting reality, moving past grief, seeing what remains.

Six of Cups

FavorableWaterCups

A boy offers a flower to a girl, six cups surround them.

Upright: Nostalgia, childhood memories, innocence, reunion.

🎯 Reversed: Living in the past, unrealistic nostalgia.

Seven of Cups

NeutralWaterCups

A figure faces seven cups emerging from clouds — visions.

Upright: Fantasy, too many choices, daydreaming.

🎯 Reversed: Facing reality, making a choice, getting grounded.

Eight of Cups

NeutralWaterCups

A figure turns away from eight cups, walking toward distant mountains.

Upright: Walking away, leaving, seeking deeper meaning.

🎯 Reversed: Fear of change, clinging, wandering aimlessly.

Nine of Cups

Very FavorableWaterCups

A figure sits contentedly before nine cups, smiling.

Upright: Wishes fulfilled, satisfaction, enjoying the harvest. Known as the "wish card."

🎯 Reversed: Dissatisfaction, greed, wishes unfulfilled.

Ten of Cups

Very FavorableWaterCups

A happy family under a rainbow, ten cups arcing above.

Upright: Family happiness, emotional fulfillment, harmony.

🎯 Reversed: Family conflict, broken ideals, disharmony.

Page of Cups

FavorableWaterCups

A young person holds a cup, a fish leaping from it.

Upright: Creative message, intuitive insight, a romantic offer.

🎯 Reversed: Emotional immaturity, bad news, daydreaming.

Knight of Cups

FavorableWaterCups

A knight rides gently, holding a cup.

Upright: Romance, pursuing ideals, an elegant proposal.

🎯 Reversed: Unrealistic, moody, false promises.

Queen of Cups

FavorableWaterCups

A queen sits by the water, holding an ornate cup.

Upright: Highly intuitive, gentle, deeply compassionate.

🎯 Reversed: Emotional, oversensitive, losing yourself.

King of Cups

FavorableWaterCups

A king sits on a sea throne, cup in one hand, scepter in the other.

Upright: Emotional maturity, generosity, wisdom and compassion.

🎯 Reversed: Emotional manipulation, repression, coldness.

Cups overview: "Water governs emotion and intuition. Many Cups in a reading — emotionally rich, intuitive, but watch for moodiness and oversensitivity."

⚔️ Swords (14 Cards)

Swords correspond to the Air element — governing thought, communication, conflict, and truth. The sword is double-edged: it can cut through confusion, but also wound. As tarot tradition teaches: "Swords remind us: thoughts have power — they can heal and they can harm."

Ace of Swords

NeutralAirSwords

A hand emerges from a cloud holding a crowned sword.

Upright: Breakthrough, clear thinking, truth. The power of new ideas.

🎯 Reversed: Chaos, misunderstanding, blocked thinking.

Two of Swords

NeutralAirSwords

A blindfolded woman holds two crossed swords, sea behind her.

Upright: Difficult choice, stalemate, refusing to face it.

🎯 Reversed: Decision made, information revealed, deadlock broken.

Three of Swords

UnfavorableAirSwords

Three swords pierce a heart, stormy background.

Upright: Heartbreak, grief, painful truth.

🎯 Reversed: Healing, letting go, recovery.

Four of Swords

NeutralAirSwords

A knight lies resting in a chapel, three swords on the wall.

Upright: Rest, recovery, retreating to recharge.

🎯 Reversed: Premature action, restlessness, inability to relax.

Five of Swords

UnfavorableAirSwords

A figure holds three swords triumphantly, two walk away empty-handed.

Upright: Conflict, winner-takes-all, pyrrhic victory.

🎯 Reversed: Reconciliation, admitting wrong, letting go of the argument.

Six of Swords

NeutralAirSwords

A boat carries a woman and children, six swords planted in the bow.

Upright: Transition, leaving difficulty, heading somewhere better.

🎯 Reversed: Stuck, resisting change, unresolved issues.

Seven of Swords

UnfavorableAirSwords

A figure sneaks away with five swords, looking back.

Upright: Deception, strategy, dishonest behavior.

🎯 Reversed: Confession, conscience awakening, plan exposed.

Eight of Swords

UnfavorableAirSwords

A woman is bound and blindfolded, eight swords surrounding her.

Upright: Trapped, restricted, self-imposed limitation. The bonds can be loosened.

🎯 Reversed: Liberation, finding a way out, breaking free.

Nine of Swords

Very UnfavorableAirSwords

A figure sits up in bed, face in hands, nine swords on the wall.

Upright: Anxiety, nightmares, extreme worry. Mostly imagined, not real.

🎯 Reversed: Releasing anxiety, walking through fear, seeking help.

Ten of Swords

Very UnfavorableAirSwords

A figure lies face-down, ten swords in the back, dawn approaching.

Upright: Finality, the end of pain, hitting bottom. But dawn is coming.

🎯 Reversed: Recovery, the worst is over, starting again.

Page of Swords

NeutralAirSwords

A young person holds a sword upright, observing curiously.

Upright: Curiosity, new ideas, thirst for knowledge.

🎯 Reversed: Rumors, hasty judgment, sharp words.

Knight of Swords

NeutralAirSwords

A knight charges on horseback, sword raised high.

Upright: Decisive, swift action, rational analysis.

🎯 Reversed: Reckless, hurtful words, rushing.

Queen of Swords

NeutralAirSwords

A queen sits upright, one hand holding a sword, the other extended.

Upright: Independent thinker, fair, clear judgment.

🎯 Reversed: Cold, overly harsh, emotionally closed.

King of Swords

NeutralAirSwords

A king sits on his throne, sword and authority in hand.

Upright: Authority, reason, fair judgment.

🎯 Reversed: Tyranny, abuse of power, unreasonable.

Swords overview: "Air governs thought and communication. Many Swords in a reading — active mind, strong analysis, but watch for anxiety and cutting words."

⭐ Pentacles (14 Cards)

Pentacles correspond to the Earth element — governing material world, finances, work, and body. From the Ace's new opportunity to the King's abundant fulfillment, Pentacles tell the story from seed to harvest.

Ace of Pentacles

Very FavorableEarthPentacles

A holy hand emerges from a cloud, holding a pentacle, garden below.

Upright: New financial opportunity, the seed of prosperity, material foundation.

🎯 Reversed: Missed opportunity, financial instability, plans falling through.

Two of Pentacles

NeutralEarthPentacles

A figure juggles two pentacles, waves in the background.

Upright: Balance, multitasking, adapting flexibly.

🎯 Reversed: Imbalance, dropping balls, financial chaos.

Three of Pentacles

FavorableEarthPentacles

A craftsman works in a cathedral, discussing with a monk and merchant.

Upright: Teamwork, skill development, relentless refinement.

🎯 Reversed: Lack of teamwork, sloppy work, unrecognized effort.

Four of Pentacles

NeutralEarthPentacles

A figure clutches four pentacles — one under foot, two under hands, one on head.

Upright: Holding onto money, control, security. But over-attachment.

🎯 Reversed: Learning to let go, generosity, breaking obsession.

Five of Pentacles

UnfavorableEarthPentacles

Two ragged figures walk past a stained-glass church window.

Upright: Hardship, poverty, exclusion, spiritual lack.

🎯 Reversed: Emerging from difficulty, seeking help, improvement.

Six of Pentacles

FavorableEarthPentacles

A wealthy figure distributes coins on a scale to the poor.

Upright: Generosity, giving and receiving, fair distribution.

🎯 Reversed: Selfishness, strings attached, debt disputes.

Seven of Pentacles

NeutralEarthPentacles

A farmer leans on a hoe, watching seven pentacles grow.

Upright: Patience, evaluating results, long-term investment.

🎯 Reversed: Impatience, returns below expectations, strategy adjustment needed.

Eight of Pentacles

FavorableEarthPentacles

A craftsman carefully carves pentacles, eight arranged neatly.

Upright: Diligence, continuous improvement, honing your craft.

🎯 Reversed: Carelessness, lack of focus, insufficient skill.

Nine of Pentacles

Very FavorableEarthPentacles

A lady stands in a vineyard, pentacle in hand, falcon on her arm.

Upright: Independence, financial freedom, enjoying the fruits of labor.

🎯 Reversed: Over-dependence on material things, loneliness, insecurity.

Ten of Pentacles

Very FavorableEarthPentacles

Three generations before a mansion, ten pentacles forming a family tree.

Upright: Family wealth, legacy, long-term stability.

🎯 Reversed: Family conflict, inheritance disputes, decline.

Page of Pentacles

FavorableEarthPentacles

A young person holds a pentacle, gazing at the fields.

Upright: Learning a new skill, diligent student, good news.

🎯 Reversed: Laziness, lack of progress, wasted opportunity.

Knight of Pentacles

FavorableEarthPentacles

A knight sits steadily on a dark horse, pentacle held before him.

Upright: Reliable, steady progress, dependable.

🎯 Reversed: Too conservative, stagnant, boring.

Queen of Pentacles

Very FavorableEarthPentacles

A queen sits in a lush garden, pentacle on her lap.

Upright: Practical, nurturing, financial wisdom.

🎯 Reversed: Overprotective, neglecting self, financial anxiety.

King of Pentacles

Very FavorableEarthPentacles

A king sits on a vine-covered throne, a bull at his feet.

Upright: Financial success, leadership, material and spiritual abundance.

🎯 Reversed: Greed, materialism, stubbornness.

Pentacles overview: "Earth governs material and physical. Many Pentacles in a reading — financially stable, practical, but watch for greed and over-materialism."

AI Tarot Reading

Prism's AI Tarot can:

  • ✅ Full upright & reversed meanings for all 78 cards — no detail missed
  • ✅ Multiple spreads: single card, three-card, Celtic Cross, and more
  • ✅ AI combines spread position with card meanings for personalized readings
  • ✅ Supports specific questions: love, career, finances, and more
  • ✅ Review past readings anytime to track your fortune's evolution

Continue Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

📖 This content is generated with AI based on traditional divination models, for entertainment and educational purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice.