Tarot library
Tarot Meanings
All 78 Rider-Waite tarot card meanings with upright and reversed interpretations. The deck is divided into 22 Major Arcana cards — universal archetypes and life forces — and 56 Minor Arcana cards covering everyday situations across four suits.
Major Arcana
22 cards — the major forces and life lessons on the soul's journey. From The Fool to The World.
Explore 22 cards →
Minor Arcana
56 cards across Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles — everyday life, emotions, decisions, and practical guidance.
Explore 56 cards →
The four suits
Wands · Fire
Passion, creativity, ambition, and action.
Cups · Water
Emotions, relationships, intuition, and inner life.
Swords · Air
Intellect, conflict, truth, and decision-making.
Pentacles · Earth
Work, finances, material wellbeing, and practicality.
major
The Fool
This is an unknown starting point. A young man in colorful clothes stands at the edge of a cliff, his gaze fixed on the distant sky. A little white dog at his feet is barking frantically as a warning, but he seems not to care about the abyss beneath his feet. In his left hand, he holds a white rose symbolizing purity, and in his right hand, a bag carries untapped potential. He strides forward lightly in the sunlight, as if declaring: I carry a pure heart and am ready to embrace this unknown adventure.
major
The Magician
This is a sacred moment of beginning.Clad in a red robe, the magician stands before an altar. His right hand raises a wand to channel higher wisdom, while his left points toward the earth, ready to bring it into form. On the table lie the Cup, Sword, Wand, and Pentacle—symbols of all things—everything is already in place. Surrounded by blooming flowers, he stands with confidence, as if declaring: as long as my will is firm, I can create miracles from nothing.
major
The High Priestess
It was a serene moment of introspection. The female priest, dressed in a blue robe, sat gracefully between the black and white pillars, symbolizing the balance of duality. Behind her hung a pomegranate curtain, and in her hand she held a scroll of the law named "TORA", half concealed and half revealed. She wore a crescent moon headdress and stood on the waxing and waning moon, as if whispering: Truth is not sought from the outside, but lies within your profound subconscious.
major
The Empress
This is a rich and fruitful moment of conception. The beautiful queen sits on a comfortable cushion, surrounded by golden wheat fields and lush forests, with a waterfall flowing behind her. She holds a scepter, wears a twelve-star crown, and is dressed in a white robe adorned with fruits, symbolizing the continuous renewal of nature. She is gentle and composed, as if declaring: I am the source of life. Under the nourishment of love and beauty, all things can grow.
major
The Emperor
A rational ruler of authority and order. The emperor, clad in golden armor, sat on a throne engraved with an eagle, holding a staff symbolizing power, wearing a crown, and his eyes were as firm as steel. The stone foundation beneath his feet was solid, with continuous mountain ranges in the background, symbolizing unshakable authority and order. He whispered on a solid base: "Control the power within and build a stable world with reason and responsibility."
major
The Hierophant
A spiritual mentor of tradition and faith. The Pope, wearing a three-layered crown and a red robe, sat upright in the church. He raised his right hand to make a blessing gesture and held three crosses in his left hand. At his feet, two believers knelt down devoutly, listening to his teachings. He represents groups, traditions and established social norms. In the sacred hall, he declared: "Follow the wisdom of tradition, and you will find the home of your soul."
Tarot card meanings — common questions
What is the difference between Major and Minor Arcana?
The 22 Major Arcana cards represent universal forces and major life themes — The Tower signals sudden upheaval, The Star represents hope, The Lovers speaks to choice and connection. The 56 Minor Arcana cards cover everyday situations: the Cups suit handles emotions and relationships, Wands covers energy and ambition, Swords deals with conflict and clarity, and Pentacles governs work and money.
How many tarot cards are there in a full deck?
A standard Rider-Waite tarot deck contains 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits of 14 cards each (Ace through 10, plus Page, Knight, Queen, and King). The Rider-Waite deck, first published in 1909, is the most widely used tarot system and the basis for most modern decks.
Do reversed tarot cards have different meanings?
Yes. A reversed card (upside-down when drawn) typically represents the card's energy in a blocked, internalized, or delayed form. The reversed Tower might suggest an internal upheaval rather than an external one. The reversed Star could indicate hope that hasn't yet found its expression. Beginners often start reading upright meanings only and add reversals after building confidence with the full deck.
How long does it take to learn all 78 tarot card meanings?
Most people develop working knowledge of the 78 cards within 3 to 6 months of daily practice. The most effective method is drawing one card each morning, reading its meaning, and reflecting on how its energy showed up during the day. You don't need to memorize every meaning before doing readings — intuition and pattern recognition develop naturally through consistent use.
Get AI-powered tarot readings
Draw daily cards, explore all 78 card meanings, and get personalized guidance for love, career, and life.