Tarot Card Meanings: Complete List of All 78 Cards (Upright & Reversed)

Your Complete Tarot Card Meanings Reference Guide

Have you ever pulled a tarot card and stared at it blankly, wondering what the universe is trying to tell you? You're not alone. One of the biggest challenges in tarot reading is remembering the meanings of all 78 cards - especially when they appear reversed.

This comprehensive guide is your go-to reference for every single tarot card meaning. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced reader looking to deepen your practice, you'll find clear, actionable interpretations for both upright and reversed positions.

What You'll Discover:

All 22 Major Arcana cards with upright and reversed meanings
All 56 Minor Arcana cards organized by suit
Quick-reference tables for easy scanning during readings
Practical keywords you can remember instantly
How reversed cards change the message

Let's unlock the wisdom of the tarot together.

Understanding the Tarot Deck Structure

A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards divided into two main sections:

The Major Arcana (22 Cards)

These are the "big picture" cards representing major life themes, spiritual lessons, and significant events. Numbered 0-21, they tell the story of The Fool's journey through life - a metaphor for our own spiritual evolution.

When Major Arcana cards appear in your reading:

Pay extra attention - they signal important life themes
They often represent circumstances beyond your immediate control
Multiple Major Arcana cards suggest a significant life period or transformation

The Minor Arcana (56 Cards)

These cards represent everyday situations, challenges, and opportunities. Divided into four suits of 14 cards each:

Wands - Fire element: Passion, creativity, action, ambition
Cups - Water element: Emotions, relationships, intuition, love
Swords - Air element: Thoughts, communication, conflict, truth
Pentacles - Earth element: Material world, finances, career, health

Each suit contains:

Numbered cards (Ace through 10) representing situations and energies
Court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) representing people or personality aspects

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Major Arcana Meanings: The 22 Life Lessons

The Major Arcana represents profound spiritual and life lessons. Here's your complete reference:

Card	Upright Meaning	Reversed Meaning
0 - The Fool	New beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, free spirit, leap of faith	Recklessness, fear of change, holding back, foolish choices
I - The Magician	Manifestation, power, skill, resourcefulness, inspired action	Manipulation, untapped potential, illusion, trickery
II - The High Priestess	Intuition, sacred knowledge, divine feminine, subconscious mind	Secrets, disconnection from intuition, information withheld
III - The Empress	Femininity, beauty, nature, nurturing, abundance, creativity	Creative block, dependence, neglect, smothering
IV - The Emperor	Authority, structure, control, father figure, leadership	Domination, excessive control, rigidity, lack of discipline
V - The Hierophant	Spiritual wisdom, tradition, conformity, institutions, mentor	Rebellion, unconventional, freedom, challenging tradition
VI - The Lovers	Love, harmony, relationships, choices, values alignment	Disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values, bad choices
VII - The Chariot	Control, willpower, success, determination, direction	Lack of control, aggression, lack of direction, opposition
VIII - Strength	Strength, courage, patience, compassion, soft control	Inner weakness, self-doubt, lack of confidence, raw emotion
IX - The Hermit	Soul-searching, introspection, inner guidance, solitude	Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal, lost your way
X - Wheel of Fortune	Good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, turning point	Bad luck, resistance to change, breaking cycles
XI - Justice	Justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law	Unfairness, lack of accountability, dishonesty, legal issues
XII - The Hanged Man	Suspension, restriction, letting go, sacrifice, new perspective	Delays, resistance, stalling, indecision, stagnation
XIII - Death	Endings, transformation, transition, letting go, change	Resistance to change, inability to move on, stagnation
XIV - Temperance	Balance, moderation, patience, purpose, meaning	Imbalance, excess, lack of long-term vision, self-healing needed
XV - The Devil	Shadow self, attachment, addiction, restriction, materialism	Release, restoring control, detachment, breaking free
XVI - The Tower	Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening	Personal transformation, fear of change, averting disaster
XVII - The Star	Hope, faith, purpose, renewal, spirituality, healing	Lack of faith, despair, disconnection, discouragement
XVIII - The Moon	Illusion, fear, anxiety, subconscious, intuition	Release of fear, repressed emotion, inner confusion
XIX - The Sun	Positivity, fun, warmth, success, vitality, joy	Inner child, feeling down, overly optimistic, temporary depression
XX - Judgement	Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution, reflection	Self-doubt, inner critic, ignoring the call, self-loathing
XXI - The World	Completion, accomplishment, travel, achievement, fulfillment	Seeking closure, incomplete, lack of closure, short-cuts

How to Read Major Arcana Cards

Upright Position: The card's core energy is flowing freely. Accept its message and work with its energy.

Reversed Position: The energy is blocked, internalized, or expressing in its shadow form. Ask yourself: "What's preventing this energy from flowing naturally in my life?"

Minor Arcana Meanings: The Suit of Wands

Element: Fire Themes: Passion, inspiration, creativity, ambition, action, energy Associated with: Career, projects, goals, personal power

Card	Upright Meaning	Reversed Meaning
Ace of Wands	Inspiration, new opportunities, growth, creative spark, potential	Emerging ideas, lack of direction, delays, uninspired
Two of Wands	Planning, future decisions, progress, discovery, personal power	Fear of unknown, lack of planning, bad planning, disorganization
Three of Wands	Progress, expansion, foresight, overseas opportunities, leadership	Playing it safe, lack of foresight, unexpected delays
Four of Wands	Celebration, harmony, marriage, home, community, joy	Transition, lack of harmony, cancelled celebrations, instability
Five of Wands	Conflict, competition, tension, diversity, disagreement	Inner conflict, conflict avoidance, end of tension
Six of Wands	Success, public recognition, progress, victory, self-confidence	Private achievement, personal definition of success, fall from grace
Seven of Wands	Challenge, competition, protection, standing your ground, perseverance	Exhaustion, giving up, overwhelmed, defensiveness
Eight of Wands	Movement, fast-paced change, action, alignment, air travel	Delays, frustration, resistance, waiting, slowing down
Nine of Wands	Resilience, courage, persistence, test of faith, boundaries	Inner resources, struggle, overwhelm, paranoia, defensive
Ten of Wands	Burden, extra responsibility, hard work, completion, stress	Doing it all, delegation, release, letting go of burdens
Page of Wands	Inspiration, ideas, discovery, free spirit, good news	Newly-formed ideas, redirecting energy, self-limiting beliefs
Knight of Wands	Energy, passion, inspired action, adventure, impulsiveness	Passion project, haste, scattered energy, delays, frustration
Queen of Wands	Courage, confidence, independence, determination, social butterfly	Self-respect, self-confidence, introverted, re-establish sense of self
King of Wands	Natural-born leader, vision, entrepreneur, honour, boldness	Impulsiveness, haste, ruthless, high expectations, controlling

Reading Wands Cards

Upright Wands: Energy is moving. Take action, pursue your passions, and trust your creative impulses.

Reversed Wands: Energy is scattered, blocked, or misdirected. Refocus, pace yourself, and align your actions with your true desires.

Minor Arcana Meanings: The Suit of Cups

Element: Water Themes: Emotions, relationships, feelings, intuition, love, connections Associated with: Romance, friendships, family, emotional well-being

Card	Upright Meaning	Reversed Meaning
Ace of Cups	Love, new relationships, compassion, creativity, emotional awakening	Self-love, blocked creativity, emotional numbness, repressed emotions
Two of Cups	Unified love, partnership, mutual attraction, connection, relationships	Self-love, break-ups, disharmony, distrust, imbalance
Three of Cups	Celebration, friendship, creativity, community, gatherings	Independence, alone time, cancelled celebrations, overindulgence
Four of Cups	Meditation, contemplation, apathy, reevaluation, boredom	Retreat, withdrawal, checking in for alignment, self-absorbed
Five of Cups	Regret, failure, disappointment, pessimism, loss, grief	Personal setbacks, self-forgiveness, moving on, acceptance
Six of Cups	Revisiting the past, childhood memories, innocence, nostalgia, reunion	Living in past, forgiveness, lacking playfulness, independence
Seven of Cups	Opportunities, choices, wishful thinking, illusion, fantasy	Alignment, personal values, overwhelmed by choices, illusion
Eight of Cups	Disappointment, abandonment, withdrawal, escapism, searching	Trying one more time, indecision, aimless wandering, fear of moving on
Nine of Cups	Contentment, satisfaction, gratitude, wish come true, luxury	Inner happiness, materialism, dissatisfaction, indulgence
Ten of Cups	Divine love, blissful relationships, harmony, alignment, family	Disconnection, misaligned values, struggling relationships, broken home
Page of Cups	Creative opportunities, curiosity, intuitive messages, new ideas	New ideas, emotional immaturity, creative blocks, inner child
Knight of Cups	Creativity, romance, charm, imagination, beauty, following your heart	Overactive imagination, unrealistic, jealous, moody, disappointment
Queen of Cups	Compassion, warmth, kindness, intuition, healer, counsellor	Inner feelings, self-care, self-love, co-dependency, martyr
King of Cups	Emotionally balanced, compassion, diplomatic, wise, devoted	Self-compassion, inner feelings, moodiness, emotionally manipulative

Reading Cups Cards

Upright Cups: Your emotional world is flowing. Open your heart, trust your feelings, and nurture your relationships.

Reversed Cups: Emotional blockages or overflow. Practice self-care, heal old wounds, and restore emotional balance.

Minor Arcana Meanings: The Suit of Swords

Element: Air Themes: Thoughts, communication, truth, conflict, mental clarity, intellect Associated with: Decisions, communication, challenges, mental struggles

Card	Upright Meaning	Reversed Meaning
Ace of Swords	Breakthrough, clarity, sharp mind, new ideas, mental clarity, truth	Inner clarity, re-thinking, clouded judgement, confusion
Two of Swords	Difficult decisions, weighing options, stalemate, avoidance, denial	Indecision, confusion, information overload, stalling decisions
Three of Swords	Heartbreak, emotional pain, sorrow, grief, hurt, trauma	Negative self-talk, releasing pain, optimism, forgiveness
Four of Swords	Rest, restoration, contemplation, recuperation, passive action	Exhaustion, burn-out, deep contemplation, stagnation
Five of Swords	Conflict, disagreements, competition, defeat, winning at all costs	Reconciliation, making amends, past resentment, open communication
Six of Swords	Transition, change, rite of passage, letting go, moving forward	Personal transition, resistance to change, unfinished business
Seven of Swords	Betrayal, deception, getting away with something, strategy, cunning	Imposter syndrome, self-deceit, coming clean, conscience
Eight of Swords	Negative thoughts, self-imposed restriction, victim mentality, powerless	Self-limiting beliefs, inner critic, releasing negative thoughts
Nine of Swords	Anxiety, worry, fear, depression, nightmares, overwhelm	Inner turmoil, deep-seated fears, secrets, releasing worry
Ten of Swords	Painful endings, deep wounds, betrayal, loss, crisis, hitting rock bottom	Recovery, regeneration, resisting inevitable end, surviving disaster
Page of Swords	New ideas, curiosity, thirst for knowledge, new ways of communication	Self-expression, all talk and no action, haphazard action, defensiveness
Knight of Swords	Ambitious, action-oriented, driven to succeed, fast-thinking, assertive	Restless, unfocused, impulsive, burn-out, reckless
Queen of Swords	Independent, unbiased judgement, clear boundaries, direct communication	Overly-emotional, easily influenced, bitchy, cold-hearted
King of Swords	Mental clarity, intellectual power, authority, truth, clear thinking	Quiet power, inner truth, misuse of power, manipulation

Reading Swords Cards

Upright Swords: Mental clarity or necessary conflict. Face the truth, communicate clearly, and cut through illusions.

Reversed Swords: Mental confusion, internal conflict, or healing from pain. Quiet your mind, seek clarity, and release negative thought patterns.

Minor Arcana Meanings: The Suit of Pentacles

Element: Earth Themes: Material world, finances, career, health, practical matters, security Associated with: Money, work, physical body, manifestation in the real world

Card	Upright Meaning	Reversed Meaning
Ace of Pentacles	Opportunity, prosperity, new venture, manifestation, abundance	Lost opportunity, lack of planning, poor financial decisions
Two of Pentacles	Multiple priorities, time management, adaptability, juggling resources	Over-committed, disorganization, reprioritization needed
Three of Pentacles	Teamwork, collaboration, learning, implementation, skill-building	Disharmony, misalignment, working alone, lack of teamwork
Four of Pentacles	Saving money, security, conservatism, control, scarcity mindset	Over-spending, greed, self-protection, financial insecurity
Five of Pentacles	Financial loss, poverty, lack mindset, isolation, worry, hardship	Recovery from loss, spiritual poverty, positive changes coming
Six of Pentacles	Giving, receiving, sharing wealth, generosity, charity, community support	Self-care, unpaid debts, one-sided charity, strings attached
Seven of Pentacles	Long-term view, sustainable results, perseverance, investment, patience	Lack of long-term vision, limited success, impatience, frustration
Eight of Pentacles	Apprenticeship, repetitive tasks, mastery, skill development, attention to detail	Self-development, perfectionism, misdirected activity, wasted effort
Nine of Pentacles	Abundance, luxury, self-sufficiency, financial independence, refinement	Self-worth, over-investment in work, hustling, financial setbacks
Ten of Pentacles	Wealth, financial security, family, long-term success, legacy, inheritance	The dark side of wealth, financial failure, loss, lack of stability
Page of Pentacles	Manifestation, financial opportunity, new job, skill development, ambition	Lack of progress, procrastination, learn from failure, re-focus goals
Knight of Pentacles	Hard work, productivity, routine, conservatism, perfectionism, dedication	Self-discipline, boredom, feeling stuck, perfectionism, workaholic
Queen of Pentacles	Nurturing, practical, providing financially, down-to-earth, abundance mindset	Financial independence, self-care, work-home conflict, overly materialistic
King of Pentacles	Wealth, business, leadership, security, discipline, abundance, provider	Financially inept, obsessed with wealth, stubborn, greed, materialistic

Reading Pentacles Cards

Upright Pentacles: Material success and practical progress. Take practical action, build steadily, and tend to physical world needs.

Reversed Pentacles: Financial challenges or misplaced priorities. Reassess your relationship with money, work, and material security.

How to Use This Guide Effectively

This reference guide is designed to support your tarot practice, not replace your intuition. Here's how to get the most from it:

During a Reading

Pull your cards first - Don't consult meanings before drawing
Notice your first impression - What do you feel when you see the card?
Look up the traditional meaning - Use this guide as a starting point
Blend intuition with knowledge - How does the traditional meaning apply to your specific question?
Consider card combinations - How do the cards interact with each other?

When Learning Tarot

Start with the Major Arcana: These 22 cards form the foundation of tarot wisdom. Spend a week with each card - pull it daily and journal about how its energy shows up in your life.

Study by suit: Focus on one Minor Arcana suit per week. Notice how the energy progresses from Ace to King.

Create associations: Connect each card to a personal memory, song, or image. Your unique associations make readings more powerful.

Practice daily: Pull a daily card each morning. At night, reflect on how that energy appeared in your day.

Understanding Reversed Cards

Not all readers use reversals - and that's perfectly fine. If you do read reversals, remember:

Reversal doesn't mean "opposite" - It means the energy is:

Blocked or internalized
Expressing in its shadow form
Delayed or resisted
Weakened or intensified
Turned inward rather than outward

Context matters: A reversed card in a love reading may have different implications than the same reversed card in a career reading.

Quick Reference: Reading Tips for Beginners

Before You Consult This Guide

Set your intention - What do you want to know?
Pull your cards - Don't peek at meanings first
Notice the imagery - What stands out visually?
Feel the energy - What's your gut reaction?

Using Keyword Associations

Each card has core keywords - but these aren't rigid definitions. They're doorways to understanding.

Example: The Four of Cups upright shows "meditation, contemplation, apathy."

In a love reading: Perhaps you're contemplating whether this relationship truly fulfills you.

In a career reading: Maybe you're feeling apathetic about your current job and need to reassess your options.

In a spiritual reading: You might need time for meditation and inner reflection before making your next move.

The keyword points you toward the energy - your intuition applies it to your situation.

Common Questions

"What if the card meaning doesn't match my question?" Trust your intuition first. The cards speak in symbols and metaphors. What aspect of the traditional meaning resonates with your situation?

"Can I create my own card meanings?" Yes and no. Learn the traditional meanings first - they're rooted in centuries of collective wisdom. Then, let your personal associations enhance and deepen those foundations.

"Should I memorize all 78 cards?" Don't pressure yourself. Meaning comes from working with the cards regularly, not from rote memorization. Keep this guide handy and reference it freely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to memorize all 78 tarot card meanings? A: No. While knowing the meanings helps, tarot reading is about developing a relationship with the cards. Use this guide as a reference while you learn. Over time, you'll naturally remember the meanings of cards you work with frequently. Your intuition matters more than memorization.

Q: What's the difference between upright and reversed tarot cards? A: Upright cards show the energy flowing naturally and openly. Reversed cards indicate the energy is blocked, internalized, delayed, or expressing in its shadow form. Think of reversals as the energy turning inward or encountering obstacles rather than as purely "negative."

Q: Should I read reversed cards or only upright? A: This is personal preference. Many beginners start with upright-only readings to reduce overwhelm. As you gain confidence, you can introduce reversals for more nuanced readings. There's no wrong choice - use the method that feels right for you.

Q: How do I remember which suit represents what? A: Connect each suit to its element:

Wands = Fire (passion, action, like a burning flame)
Cups = Water (emotions, flowing feelings)
Swords = Air (thoughts, communication, cutting through like wind)
Pentacles = Earth (material world, grounded, solid)

Q: Can tarot card meanings change based on the question? A: Absolutely. The core energy of each card remains consistent, but its application varies based on context. The Lovers card in a relationship reading speaks to romantic partnership, while in a career reading it might indicate an important decision between two job offers.

Q: What if a card's meaning doesn't make sense for my reading? A: First, look at the surrounding cards - they provide context. Second, consider whether you're interpreting too literally. Tarot speaks in symbols and metaphors. Third, trust your intuition. If you sense a different meaning, that's valid. The cards are conversing with your subconscious.

Q: How many cards should I use in a reading? A: Start simple. A one-card reading is powerful for daily guidance. Three-card spreads (past-present-future or situation-action-outcome) are perfect for specific questions. Save complex spreads like the Celtic Cross until you're comfortable with basic interpretations.

Q: Do Major Arcana cards have more importance than Minor Arcana? A: Major Arcana cards represent significant life themes and spiritual lessons - they often signal important events or periods. Minor Arcana cards address everyday situations and practical matters. Neither is "more important," but Major Arcana cards typically indicate circumstances with deeper or longer-lasting significance.

Q: What does it mean when I get multiple cards from the same suit? A: Multiple cards from one suit emphasize that area of life:

Multiple Wands: Focus on action, creativity, and projects
Multiple Cups: Emotional matters and relationships are central
Multiple Swords: Mental challenges or communication issues
Multiple Pentacles: Material concerns, money, or practical matters This tells you where to direct your attention.

Q: Can I use this guide for oracle cards too? A: This guide is specifically for traditional tarot decks. Oracle cards vary widely in their themes and meanings - you'll need to consult the guidebook that comes with your specific oracle deck.

Start Your Tarot Journey Today

Understanding tarot card meanings is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you start reading the cards for yourself and others.

Ready to practice? Try our free AI-powered tarot reading - perfect for beginners who want to see how card combinations work together in real readings.

Your Next Steps

Bookmark this guide - Keep it handy for quick reference during readings
Pull a daily card - Use this guide to deepen your understanding each day
Study one suit per week - Notice patterns and progressions
Trust your intuition - Let traditional meanings guide you, not limit you
Practice regularly - The more you read, the more natural it becomes

Remember: Every tarot master started exactly where you are now. The cards are waiting to share their wisdom with you.

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Written with cosmic love by Sisi the Fox 🦊

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Last Updated: October 31, 2025 | Published by Sisi Astrology