Tarot cards are a visual language of 78 archetypal images designed to represent the human experience and spiritual evolution. While originally used for gaming in 15th-century Italy, they were later adapted by occultists to include layers of esoteric symbolism from alchemy, the Kabbalah, and mythology. Structure of the Tarot Deck A standard deck is divided into two primary sections:
Major Arcana (22 Cards): Also called "trumps," these cards represent significant life lessons, soul growth, and major turning points. They follow the "Fool’s Journey," a narrative from innocence (The Fool) to spiritual fulfillment (The World).
Minor Arcana (56 Cards): These cards reflect day-to-day events and immediate challenges. They are divided into four suits, each corresponding to an element and life area: Wands (Fire): Creativity, passion, and ambition. Cups (Water): Emotions, relationships, and intuition. Swords (Air): Intellect, conflict, and decision-making. Pentacles (Earth): Material world, finances, and stability. Hidden Symbols and Their Meanings
Court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) are the most misunderstood because people forget the postal system of the soul.
Chapter 4: The Fool (0)
Chapter 5: The Magician (I)
Chapter 6: The High Priestess (II)
Chapter 7: The Empress (III)
Chapter 8: The Emperor (IV)
Chapter 9: The Hierophant (V)
Chapter 10: The Lovers (VI)
Chapter 11: The Chariot (VII)
Chapter 12: Justice (XI / VIII depending on deck)
Chapter 13: The Hanged Man (XII)
Chapter 14: Death (XIII)
Chapter 15: The Devil (XV)
Chapter 16: The Tower (XVI)
Chapter 17: The Star (XVII)
Chapter 18: The Moon (XVIII)
Chapter 19: The Sun (XIX)
Chapter 20: Judgment (XX)
Chapter 21: The World (XXI)
Chapter 26: The Same Symbols Across Cards
Chapter 27: Astrological & Kabbalistic Glyphs (Hidden on Cards)
Chapter 28: The Missing Symbolism – Reversals as Hidden Meaning
Before diving into specific cards, we must understand the four architectural layers of tarot symbolism.
While there isn't a single definitive document titled " Tarot Cards The Hidden Symbols Explained ," the symbolism in Tarot is deeply rooted in the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS)
system. These symbols are designed to act as a visual shorthand for psychological and spiritual archetypes.
Below is an explanation of the core hidden symbols found across the Major and Minor Arcana. Universal Symbols in Tarot The Infinity Symbol ( Seen above the heads of The Magician and the figure in
. It represents eternal life, the continuous cycle of energy, and the connection between the spiritual and physical worlds. The Four Elements:
Often depicted as the four tools on the Magician’s table or the four creatures in the corners of The Wheel of Fortune Wands/Lions: Fire (Creativity/Will) Cups/Angels: Water (Emotions/Intuition) Swords/Eagles: Air (Intellect/Conflict) Pentacles/Bulls: Earth (Material wealth/Body) White Roses vs. Red Roses: White roses (found in ) symbolize purity and new beginnings. Red roses (found in The Magician ) represent human passion and desire. Pillars (Black and White): The High Priestess The Hierophant
. They represent duality—light and dark, conscious and unconscious, or mercy and severity. Major Arcana: Key Hidden Symbols The Fool’s White Dog:
Represents the animal instinct that protects the Fool from danger, or the loyalty of the spirit following the physical body. The High Priestess’s Pomegranates:
Behind her, the veil is decorated with pomegranates, which are ancient symbols of fertility, the feminine, and the Greek myth of Persephone (the underworld). The Wheel of Fortune’s Sphinx:
Sits atop the wheel representing the equilibrium of life and the riddles of fate that remain constant while the world turns. The Star’s Two Pitchers:
The woman pours water onto both land and sea, symbolizing the replenishment of both the physical world and the collective unconscious. Minor Arcana: Common Visual Cues Mountains:
High, blue mountains in the background usually signify challenges to overcome or a long journey ahead. Water States: Calm water (Six of Swords) suggests a peaceful transition. Choppy water
(Two of Pentacles) suggests emotional turbulence or instability. Yellow Skies:
Often used to symbolize consciousness, clarity, and the "light of the sun" providing intellectual energy to the scene. Recommended Free PDF Resources
Since you are looking for a PDF format, these classic, public-domain texts are the foundation for modern symbol interpretation: The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A.E. Waite:
This is the primary source text for the most popular deck in the world. It explains the specific symbols chosen for every card. The Tarot of the Bohemians tarot cards the hidden symbols explained pdf
A more "occult" look at the mathematical and astrological symbols hidden in the cards. The Book of Thoth by Aleister Crowley:
If you are using the Thoth deck, this PDF explains the heavy use of Egyptian and Alchemical symbols. or a list of symbols for a certain suit (like Swords or Cups)?
Introduction to Tarot Cards
Tarot cards are a form of divination that originated in the 15th century in Italy. A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
Major Arcana
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, each representing a major life theme, archetype, or symbol. These cards are numbered from 0 (The Fool) to 21 (The World). Some of the most well-known Major Arcana cards include:
Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards, divided into four suits:
Each suit contains 10 numbered cards (Ace to 10) and four court cards:
Symbolism and Interpretation
Tarot cards are rich in symbolism, drawing from various sources, including:
When interpreting tarot cards, consider the following:
Hidden Symbols
Some tarot cards contain hidden symbols, which can add depth to your interpretations:
For a more in-depth understanding, I recommend exploring tarot resources, such as books, online courses, or workshops. Some popular tarot authors and resources include:
Do you have a specific question about tarot cards or would you like to explore a particular aspect further?
The primary feature of Tarot Cards: The Hidden Symbols Explained
by Derek Johnsen is its dual-style organization that allows you to explore symbolism either by specific image or by individual card Key Features Alphabetical Symbol Index:
Part One contains an alphabetical list of major hidden symbols (such as angels, birds, or specific colors), explaining their meanings and listing every card where they appear Amazon.com Card-by-Card Breakdown:
Part Two provides a dedicated analysis for each of the 78 cards, listing every hidden symbol found within that specific card's imagery Deck Versatility: Tarot cards are a visual language of 78
The book acknowledges that symbols can vary between versions, sometimes explaining imagery found in decks beyond the standard Rider-Waite In-Depth Interpretation:
It focuses on deepening the reader's intuition by providing the "why" behind the visual cues, such as the significance of colors (e.g., blue for intuition) or specific animals (e.g., the ram for leadership on the Emperor card) www.mchip.net Digital Format (PDF) While the book is widely available as a Kindle Edition
, readers often seek it in PDF format for its portability and high-speed scannability. Digital versions typically include: Interactive Navigation:
Enabling users to jump between the alphabetical symbol list and specific card pages Amazon.com High-Resolution Previews:
Allowing for zooming into complex card illustrations to identify small hidden details Amazon.com
Similar comprehensive symbol guides can also be found on platforms like DOKUMEN.PUB meaning of a specific symbol you've seen on a card, or would you like a list of similar PDF guides for your study? Tarot Cards: The Hidden Symbols Explained - Amazon.com
While there isn't a single official PDF titled "Tarot Cards the Hidden Symbols Explained" by an author named "Piece," the symbolism in Tarot is deeply standardized across most Rider-Waite-Smith style decks.
Tarot cards are divided into two main groups: the Major Arcana, which represent significant life themes and spiritual lessons, and the Minor Arcana, which focus on daily events and human psychology. The Core Symbols of the Four Suits
The Minor Arcana is split into four suits, each corresponding to a specific element and aspect of human experience:
Wands (Fire): Representing passion, creativity, energy, and ambition.
Cups (Water): Representing love, emotions, relationships, and intuition.
Swords (Air): Representing the mind, logic, communication, conflict, and decision-making.
Pentacles (Earth): Representing the material world, money, career, and physical health. Common "Hidden" Universal Symbols
Beyond the suits, recurring visual symbols appear throughout the deck:
The Lemniscate (Infinity Symbol): Found on cards like The Magician and Strength, it represents eternal life, infinite possibilities, and the balance between the physical and spiritual.
The Sun: Often signifies success, clarity, joy, and the astrological sign of Leo (specifically on the Strength card).
The Fool (0): While often seen as "valuable," it represents the beginning of a journey, pure potential, and taking a leap of faith. Where to Find Detailed Guides
If you are looking for a comprehensive breakdown to download, reputable tarot sites offer similar resources:
The Tarot Lady: Provides a card-by-card breakdown of hidden meanings and symbols.
Asali Earthwork: Offers insights into the elemental associations of the deck. Brief Example: Sample Page — The Empress
TarotArts: Deep-dives into specific symbols like the lemniscate.
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