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Exploring Major Arcana Symbolism: Cards 0-10

Exploring Major Arcana Symbolism: Cards 0-10

Tarot cards laying on a cloth, Eploring Major Arcana Sumbolism Cards 0-10

The Major Arcana is an important part of tarot, representing profound themes and experiences that resonate with the human journey. Each card serves as a powerful symbol of growth, change, and life lessons. From the innocence of The Fool to the completion of The World, these cards guide us through significant life events and personal transformations.


Let’s explore the symbolism within the first half of the Major Arcana, shedding light on their core messages and the transformative energies they embody.



0 the fool

The Fool marks the beginning of the tarot journey, representing new beginnings, spontaneity, and the leap of faith. This card encourages us to embrace the unknown and trust our instincts.


Card Symbolism:

  • Small knapsack: minimalism and simplicity

  • White rose: purity and new beginnings

  • Cliff edge: represents the unknown, leap of faith 

  • The sun shining: enlightenment, optimism


Color Symbolism:

  • Yellow: optimism, joy, creativity

  • Blue: intuition, spirituality, expansion

  • Green: growth, renewal, potential

  • Brown: grounding, nature, humility








1 The Magician

The Magician symbolizes manifestation, innovation, and personal power. It serves as a reminder that we have all the tools we need to create our desired reality, urging us to harness our skills and take action.


Card Symbolism:

  • Cup: emotions and intuition 

  • Infinity symbol: limitless potential, universal connection 

  • Wand: emblematic of creativity, action, and willpower 

  • Red robe: alchemical process of transformation


Color Symbolism:

  • Yellow: intellect, clarity, mental agility

  • Red: passion, vitality, energy

  • Green: abundance, prosperity, fertility

  • White: purity, enlightenment, clarity





2 The High Priestess

The High Priestess embodies intuition, wisdom, and the mysteries of the subconscious. She invites us to connect with our inner self and trust our instincts, emphasizing the importance of inner knowledge and reflection.


Card Symbolism:

  • Crescent moon: intuition, psychic abilities, subconscious 

  • Pillars: duality of nature - the light and the darkness 

  • Veil: the thin boundary between conscious & subconscious 

  • Crown: spiritual authority, wisdom, enlightenment 

Color Symbolism:

  • Yellow: illumination, wisdom, spirituality

  • Ocean blue: serenity, tranquility, the ebb and flow of emotions

  • Black: mystery, inner wisdom, feminine power

  • Olive green: balance, harmony, nature



3 The Empress

The Empress signifies fertility, abundance, and nurturing. This card represents the creative forces of life and encourages us to embrace our nurturing side, whether through relationships, projects, or self-care.

Card Symbolism:


  • Crown: the divine, intuition, spiritual wisdom 

  • Wheat: fertility, abundance, the harvest 

  • Trees: growth, vitality, prosperity 

  • Flowing river: creativity, life force energy 


Color Symbolism:

  • Yellow: abundance, creativity, fertility

  • Moss green: growth, renewal. cycles of nature, healing

  • Red: passion, power, strength

  • White: enlightenment, creation, morality







4 The Emperor

The Emperor represents authority, self-control, and earning success. He embodies leadership and control, guiding us to establish order in our lives and take responsibility for our actions.


Card Symbolism: 

  • Throne: authority, power over domain 

  • Armor: protection, strength, integrity 

  • Mountains: stability, endurance, solid foundation 

  • Ankh: life, vitality, stability in the material world


Color Symbolism:

  • Gold: wealth, abundance, prosperity

  • Orange: warmth, vitality, energy

  • Maroon: authority, power, stability

  • Red: passion, ambition, determination







5 The Hierophant

The Hierophant symbolizes rules, societal structure, and education. This card invites us to seek guidance from established systems or mentors, emphasizing the value of shared knowledge and community


Card Symbolism:

  • Raised hand: blessings, teachings, transmission of spiritual knowledge

  • Scepter/Staff: authority, power, leadership 

  • Two followers: tradition, community, mentorship 

  • Keys: knowledge, wisdom, access to hidden truths


Color Symbolism:

  • Red: dedication, spiritual power, passion

  • Yellow: enlightenment, inner trust, optimism

  • Grey: neutrality, wisdom, balance

  • White: clarity, moral guidance, purity






6 The Lovers

The Lovers signify love, harmony, and authentic connections. This card encourages us to make choices that align with our values and connect deeply with others, highlighting the importance of relationships.


Card Symbolism:

  • Two figures: partnership, union, harmony 

  • Angel: guidance, protection, divine intervention 

  • Tree of knowledge: learning, growth, consequences 

  • Mountain: obstacles to overcome, perseverance 


Color Symbolism:

  • Blue: communication, truth, harmony

  • Yellow: joy, intellect, self-esteem

  • Green: growth, unity, mutual respect

  • Red: desire, courage, romance





7 The Chariot

The Chariot embodies determination, willpower, and victory. It represents the ability to overcome obstacles through focus and perseverance, encouraging us to take charge of our journey.


Card Symbolism:

  • Driver: willpower, control, mastery over the dualities 

  • Sphinxes: the need to harness and integrate both instinctual and spiritual energies to achieve success 

  • Starry canopy: connection to higher guidance and cosmic forces 

  • Laurel wreath: victory, achievement, triumph


Color Symbolism:

  • Yellow: mental strength, focus, confidence

  • Black: authority, defense, mystery

  • Blue: resilience, calmness, self-control

  • White: divine energy, spiritual enlightenment



8 Strength

Strength symbolizes inner courage, compassion, and resilience. This card reminds us that true strength comes from within and encourages us to face challenges with grace and kindness.


Card Symbolism:

  • Lion: power, passion, primal instincts 

  • Infinity symbol: eternal strength, endurance 

  • Garland of flowers: compassion, beauty, grace 

  • White dress: inner peace, alignment, resilience 


Color Symbolism:

  • Gold: royalty, nobility, divine energy

  • Green: growth, renewal, harmony

  • Orange: optimism, joy, energy

  • Blue: serenity, wisdom, expression






rmit

The Hermit represents introspection, solitude, and inner guidance. It invites us to step back from the noise of the world and seek clarity within, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection.


Card Symbolism:

  • Old man: wisdom, introspection, guidance 

  • Lantern: inner guidance, enlightenment, illumination 

  • Staff: authority, wisdom, spiritual power 

  • Cloak: protection, concealment, detachment from worldly concerns 


Color Symbolism:

  • Blue: tranquility, introspection, spirit

  • White: illumination, seeking wisdom

  • Grey: introspection, wisdom, neutrality

  • Yellow: mental clarity, insight, discernment








10 Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune signifies cycles, change, and good fortune. This card reminds us that life is a series of ups and downs, urging us to embrace the ebb and flow of our experiences.


Card Symbolism:

  • Wheel: constant change, ups and downs, inevitability of fate 

  • Four creatures: stability, balance, the four elements 

  • Anubis/Typhon: passage of time, endings, transformation 

  • Clouds: change, unpredictability, fluidity


Color Symbolism:

  • Orange: vibrancy, energy, change

  • Yellow: abundance, optimism, positivity

  • Red: passion, energy, action

  • Grey: change, harmony, equilibrium






As we journey through the Major Arcana, we uncover layers of meaning that speak to our personal growth and life’s journey. Each card serves as a powerful reminder of the lessons we learn along the way, guiding us to become more aware of ourselves and the world around us.


Check back for next week’s blog as we will be diving into the second half of the Major Arcana (cards 11-21)!


If you're ready to deepen your understanding of the symbolism in tarot, check out the Tarot Symbolism Journal! 


This guide covers each card's numerology, card & color symbolism, and thoughtful journaling prompts to help you reflect and uncover insights. It also includes a glossary of common spiritual symbols to help you better interpret the cards' energy in a grounded, meaningful way.


Available in both digital download on Etsy and paperback through Amazon, this journal and guide provides practical, ethical tools to support your tarot practice with clarity.


Tarot Symbolism Journal Mockup


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