When we talk about tarot cards, they consist of a lot of symbolism. But when you understand the traditional symbolism in tarot cards that are used frequently in the deck, you can find deeper meanings and similarities between the cards. A standard deck of tarot cards contains 78 cards with different symbols, so it can be intimidating to learn what each tarot symbol means. 

However, it can facilitate this process and improve your readings if you have a solid understanding of the symbolism in the tarot cards dotted throughout the major and minor arcana. The symbols we will be discussing in this article are from the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck 

However, there are various tarot decks that feature a variety of colors, images, themes, buildings, symbols, and other elements. These symbols can originate from astrology, numerology, symbolic meanings, archetypal energies, and spiritual symbolism. So without further ado, let us examine the meanings of colors, numbers, and traditional tarot symbols to assist you in deciphering the messages contained in the tarot cards. 

General Symbolism in Tarot Cards

This article will familiarize you with their associated and generic meanings, which will help you improve your storytelling and interpretation abilities when reading. So, here is a list of common and frequently used tarot symbols that can be seen in the tarot card imagery.

Tarot Symbols Related To Elements

• Water Element– Reversed Triangle
• Fire Element– Upright Triangle 
• Earth Element– Reversed Triangle with Horizontal Line
• Air Element– Upright Triangle with Horizontal Line
• Pentagram – Combination of all elements.

Tarot Symbols Related To Numbers 

• One– unity, a fresh start, renewal, and an awakening
• Two– collaboration, harmony, and duality.
• Three– growth, innovation, and collaboration
• Four– stability
• Five– growth, conflict, change, and development
• Six– balance
• Seven– learning, hard work, and spiritual development
• Eight– success, prosperity, and abundance
• Nine– approaching the end of a cycle
• Ten– completion, achievement, enlightenment 

Also know: Best Tarot Spreads for Guidance in Life

Tarot Symbols Related To Signs

• Angels– Messengers, Guardian Angels, Spirit Guides, Healing, Divine Influence, Reassurance, Higher Self, and Support
• Globe– Personal World, Outer World: Pay attention to the globe's size, as it will reveal how small their world is and whether they have a broad or limited global perspective on the issue.
• Blindfold– Incapable of seeing or refusing to see, focusing inward, hiding, turning a blind eye, and having limited vision
• Cadeceus(Two snakes intertwining the Rod of Hermes) Harmony, Integration, Well-being, Sexuality, and Matrimony 
• Infinity Symbol/Lemniscate (figure of 8 loops) - Infinite, Flow, The Law of Attraction, Cycles
• Wreath– Victory/Success

Tarot Symbols Related To Colors 

• Red – Root chakra, security, safety, being grounded, passion
• Black– Protection, negativity, darkness, being grounded and illness
• Yellow – Solar plexus chakra, confidence, enthusiasm, spontaneity, happiness, 
• Pink – Heart chakra, compassion, femininity, love, and forgiveness
• Orange – Sacral chakra, sexuality, creativity, joy, happiness, and optimism
• Green – Heart chakra, unconditional love, balance, healing, self-love, harmony, envy, bitterness
• Gold – Crown chakra, abundance, self-mastery, divine guidance, spiritual leadership
• Purple – Third eye chakra, psychic ability, intuition, awakening, spirituality
• Blue– Throat chakra, speaking up, communication, self-expression, boundaries
• White – Crown chakra, higher self, relationship with the divine

Also know: Free Twin Flame Tarot Card Reading

Tarot Symbols Related To Suits

• Wands– Fire Element/Masculine, Movement, Phallic Symbol, Action, Power, Enthusiasm, Magic, Inspiration, Spring
• Swords– Air Element/Masculine, Law, Violence, Justice, Authority, Communication, Intellect, Conflict, Autumn
• Cups– Water Element/Feminine Womb, Psychic, Emotions, Spirituality, Artistic, Moods, Creative, Summer
• Pentacles– Earth Element/Feminine, Four Compass Points, Physical Body, Protection, Magic, Property, Money, Career, Finance, Health, Material Aspects, Winter

Tarot Symbols Related To Buildings, Structures, and Land

• Walls– Security and Safety, Restrictions, Protection, Obstacles, and Cutting off from the outside or outside influences
• Towns and Villages– Centres of Trade and Commerce, Socializing, Home and Property, Community 
• Church– Spirituality, Morals, Sanctuary, Spiritual Growth or Renewal, Vocations, Repression, Charity
• Bridges– A way to move on and forget about the past, Transition, A means of escaping a circumstance
• Castles – Security, Sanctuary, Protection, Stability, Strongholds, Home, Possessions, and wealth
• Towers (with paths running between them) – Gateways to a new life or phase in life. In general, passing through the gateway is a difficult process. To get through, you have to leave one life behind. Transformation. It takes a great deal of courage to finish the journey. Typically found in the Major Cards
• Gateways/Arches– Openings, Admission, Opportunities, Transition, Entrance, Initiations
• Pillars– Masculine/feminine, will/emotions, conscious/subconscious, solid foundations
• Pathways between mountains, cliffs, or towers – Gateways to success or your objective. The length and difficulty of the road you must travel to achieve your goal will depend on how far and straight the pathway is.
• Hills– challenges or Minor obstacles 
• Mountains– Difficulties or obstacles that must be overcome. More significant barriers or difficulties are indicated by steep mountains.
• Waterfall– Strong emotions or force. Maybe you are feeling out of control or overwhelmed. Speed and urgency.
• Cliffs– Threats or obstacles that must be overcome
• Water/Rivers/Streams/Oceans – The Water Element, Emotions and Subconscious, and. Make a note of whether the water is trickling, swiftly flowing, choppy, calm, or turbulent. This will provide some understanding of how people are feeling about the problem. Water in motion is frequently associated with memories, the past, present, and future.
• Crypts/Tombs and Coffins – Peace, Renewal, Rest, Illness, Death, Rebirth, and Feeling Dead
• Boats and Ships– Trade, commerce, and passage over water; their meaning can be inferred from the state of the water they sail on. Your Ship has sailed and is approaching. Emotional Baggage
• Thrones– Royalty, Maturity, Leadership, Power, and Authority

Also know: Karmic Tarot Cards

Tarot Symbols Related To Seasons, Weather, and Planets

• Seasons– Wands/Spring, Swords/Autumn, Cups/Summer, Pentacles/Winter
• Sky– clear skies are indicative of rational thinking, logic, and mental balance. Overcast skies portend uncertainty and difficulties in store. Stormy skies are a sign of tension, disagreement, conflict, and mental instability.
• Stormy Skies– Stress/Conflict
• Snow– Misery, Spiritual Emptiness, Cold, Bad Health
• Rain– sadness, tears, upset, and emotional distress
• Moon– Female Energy, Intrigue, Subconscious, Inner Worlds, Mystery, Concealment, Emotional Balance or Imbalance, Reflection, Illusions, Female Cycles, Memory
• Sun– Masculine Energy, Warmth, Consciousness, Heat, Joy, Creative Expression, Fun, Rebirth, Freedom, and Illumination
• Weather– Clear skies/Clarity of Judgement, Cloudy Conditions/Confusion and Trouble to Come
• Stars– Celestial, Inspiration, Illuminating, Light, Hope, Faith, Divine

Tarot Symbols Related To Clothing, Demeanour

• Clothing– Pay attention to the color of the clothes and whether they are simply dressed, exquisitely dressed, or overdressed. Are the garments appearing to be costly? Do they appear at ease wearing their clothes? Are they clothes for parties or for daily use?
• Body Language– Who is paying attention to whom? Who looks like the boss? What do they have their eyes on? How do they hold themselves, and why? What sort of expression do they have? Do they appear friendly or intimidating? Are they sad or happy?

Also know: One Card Tarot Reading Guide

Tarot Symbols Related To Creatures

• Birds– Freedom, Messenger, Inspiration, Intellect, Soaring
• Falcon– Speed, Sharpness, and freedom
• Bull – Taurus, durability, stability, and power
• Dove– Spiritual blessing, love, and harmony
• Butterfly– Air element, change, and liberty
• Cat– intuition, mystery, sensitivity, and sexuality
• Dog– a companion, a primal instinct, or a fear
• Goat– Capricorn, Pan, Magic
• Fish– Water Element
• Horse– The Elements Harnessed, Transport
• Ram – Force, Aries
• Bat– The Shadow Side, Underworld, and Occult
• Salamander– Fire Element

Tarot Symbols Related To Vegetation

• Apple– Wisdom and Abundance
• Lilly– Innocence, Feminine Principle
• Grapes– Abundance, Celebration, and prosperity
• White Rose– Transformation
• Oak Leaves– Wisdom, magic, strength, and the earth element
• Red Rose– The Masculine Principle, Passion/
• Sunflower– Sun, Vitality, and Energy
• Rose with Thorns – Beauty/Pain, discovering your inner beauty
• Vegetables– Earth Element, Harvest
• Laurel– Victory
• Flowers – Beauty, Blossoming/Unfolding

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Wrapping Up

Understanding the meaning behind tarot symbols can help you provide deeper and more concise readings. Your interpretations may be enhanced if you discover tarot card parallels that have previously gone unnoticed. If you pull cards with symbols that appear repeatedly, it might mean that a crucial message is trying to get through. Keep track of the instances in which the same symbolism in tarot cards immediately stands out to you. Use your intuition to figure out what message these symbols are trying to get through to you.