Tarot card meanings
All 78 tarot cards in plain words: what each one means upright and reversed, in love, at work and as a yes or no. Pick a card below, or search for the one you just drew.
No card matches that. Try a name like "Lovers" or "Queen".
The Major Arcana
22 cardsThe big life lessons, from The Fool's first step to The World's completion. When several Major Arcana appear in a reading, the situation is a turning point, not a passing mood.
- 0The Fool
- IThe Magician
- IIThe High Priestess
- IIIThe Empress
- IVThe Emperor
- VThe Hierophant
- VIThe Lovers
- VIIThe Chariot
- VIIIStrength
- IXThe Hermit
- XWheel of Fortune
- XIJustice
- XIIThe Hanged Man
- XIIIDeath
- XIVTemperance
- XVThe Devil
- XVIThe Tower
- XVIIThe Star
- XVIIIThe Moon
- XIXThe Sun
- XXJudgement
- XXIThe World
Suit of Wands
Fire · 14 cardsPassion, energy, ambition and creativity: the cards of action and drive.
Suit of Cups
Water · 14 cardsLove, feelings, relationships and intuition: the cards of the heart.
Suit of Swords
Air · 14 cardsThoughts, decisions, conflict and truth: the cards of the mind.
Suit of Pentacles
Earth · 14 cardsMoney, work, home and health: the cards of the material world.
How to read a card meaning
Upright or reversed
An upright card shows its energy flowing freely. Reversed, the same energy is blocked, delayed, turned inward or overdone. Not every reader uses reversals, and both ways are valid.
Context is everything
The same card reads differently for love, work or money, and it changes with the cards around it. Use the meanings here as a starting point, then ask what fits your situation.
Yes or no
Every card page includes a yes or no answer. For a quick answer of your own, draw a free yes or no card.
Got a card, but not the full story?
A meaning tells you what a card says in general. A personal video reading from Bo tells you what it says about your question, in your inbox within 24 hours.
Tarot card meanings: questions answered
How many tarot cards are there?
A standard tarot deck has 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana are split into four suits, Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles, with 14 cards each.
What is the difference between the Major and Minor Arcana?
The Major Arcana describe big life themes and turning points. The Minor Arcana describe everyday situations, feelings and actions. A reading full of Major Arcana points to an important chapter in your life.
What does each tarot suit represent?
Wands are fire: passion, energy and ambition. Cups are water: love, emotions and relationships. Swords are air: thoughts, decisions and conflict. Pentacles are earth: money, work, home and health.
Do I need to memorise all 78 card meanings?
No. Most readers start by learning the 22 Major Arcana and the theme of each suit, then build up from there. Keep this page bookmarked and look cards up as they appear in your readings.