How Many Tarot Cards Are There? The Complete Breakdown of a 78-Card Deck
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). This article explores the structure of each section, the meanings of the suits, historical variations, and practical tips for beginners. Whether you're new to tarot or just curious, you'll find everything you need to understand the classic 78-card system.
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Introduction
If you've ever wondered how many tarot cards are there, you're not alone. This is one of the most common questions for beginners stepping into the world of tarot. The simple answer is that a standard tarot deck contains 78 cards. But that number only scratches the surface. The 78 cards are carefully divided into two main groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana, each with its own purpose and symbolism.
Understanding this structure is the first step to reading tarot with confidence. Whether you're exploring tarot for personal insight, spiritual growth, or just curiosity, knowing the layout of the deck helps you interpret the messages more clearly. In this guide, we'll break down exactly what those 78 cards are, what they mean, and why some decks might have a different number. By the end, you'll have a solid foundation for your tarot journey.
What is a Standard Tarot Deck?
A traditional tarot deck is a specific set of illustrated cards used for divination, self-reflection, and spiritual guidance. The standard deck, which has been in use for centuries, contains exactly 78 cards. This number is not arbitrary—it reflects a deliberate structure that balances major life themes with everyday experiences.
The 78 cards are split into two distinct categories:
- Major Arcana: 22 cards representing significant life events, spiritual lessons, and archetypal energies.
- Minor Arcana: 56 cards that deal with day-to-day situations, emotions, challenges, and practical matters.
This division is what makes tarot unique. The Major Arcana cards are often seen as the 'big picture' cards, while the Minor Arcana provides the details and context. Together, they create a complete system for exploring any question or situation. When someone asks how many tarot cards are there, the answer is almost always 78, because this is the structure used by the vast majority of modern decks, including the famous Rider-Waite-Smith and Thoth Tarot.
The Major Arcana: 22 Cards of Life's Big Themes
The Major Arcana is the heart of the tarot deck. These 22 cards are numbered from 0 to 21 and are often considered the most powerful and meaningful cards in a reading. They represent major life events, deep spiritual lessons, and universal archetypes that everyone experiences at some point.
The journey of the Major Arcana is often called the 'Fool's Journey,' with each card marking a stage of growth and self-discovery. Here is the full list of Major Arcana cards:
- 0 – The Fool: New beginnings, spontaneity, and taking a leap of faith.
- 1 – The Magician: Manifestation, skill, and using your resources.
- 2 – The High Priestess: Intuition, mystery, and inner knowledge.
- 3 – The Empress: Nurturing, abundance, and creativity.
- 4 – The Emperor: Authority, structure, and leadership.
- 5 – The Hierophant: Tradition, spiritual guidance, and conformity.
- 6 – The Lovers: Love, relationships, and important choices.
- 7 – The Chariot: Willpower, determination, and victory.
- 8 – Strength: Courage, inner strength, and compassion.
- 9 – The Hermit: Introspection, solitude, and soul-searching.
- 10 – Wheel of Fortune: Change, cycles, and destiny.
- 11 – Justice: Fairness, truth, and cause and effect.
- 12 – The Hanged Man: Surrender, new perspectives, and letting go.
- 13 – Death: Transformation, endings, and new beginnings.
- 14 – Temperance: Balance, moderation, and patience.
- 15 – The Devil: Bondage, materialism, and shadow self.
- 16 – The Tower: Sudden upheaval, revelation, and chaos.
- 17 – The Star: Hope, inspiration, and serenity.
- 18 – The Moon: Illusion, fear, and the subconscious.
- 19 – The Sun: Joy, success, and vitality.
- 20 – Judgement: Rebirth, inner calling, and absolution.
- 21 – The World: Completion, fulfillment, and wholeness.
Each card carries deep symbolism and multiple layers of meaning. When a Major Arcana card appears in a reading, it often signals that the situation is significant and not just a passing phase. Understanding these 22 cards is essential for anyone who wants to answer the question how many tarot cards are there and truly grasp the deck's power.
The Minor Arcana: 56 Cards of Everyday Life
While the Major Arcana deals with life's big themes, the Minor Arcana focuses on the details. These 56 cards represent the everyday experiences, emotions, challenges, and opportunities that shape our daily lives. They are divided into four suits, each with its own element and focus.
The Four Suits
Each suit has 14 cards: Ace through 10 (the numbered cards) plus four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King). Here's what each suit represents:
- Wands (Fire): Action, ambition, creativity, and passion. Wands cards are about energy, drive, and taking initiative.
- Cups (Water): Emotions, relationships, intuition, and love. Cups cards deal with feelings, compassion, and emotional fulfillment.
- Swords (Air): Intellect, communication, conflict, and challenges. Swords cards represent thoughts, clarity, and decision-making.
- Pentacles (Earth): Material aspects, work, finances, and physical health. Pentacles cards are about security, stability, and prosperity.
Court Cards
Each suit also includes four court cards, which often represent people or aspects of your own personality:
- Page: A messenger, youth, or new beginning.
- Knight: Action, movement, and a quest.
- Queen: Nurturing, emotional depth, and maturity.
- King: Authority, leadership, and mastery.
The Minor Arcana adds texture and nuance to a reading. If the Major Arcana is the headline, the Minor Arcana is the article that explains the story. Knowing that there are 56 of these cards is a key part of answering how many tarot cards are there and understanding how the deck works as a whole.
Do All Tarot Decks Have 78 Cards?
While 78 is the standard, not every deck follows this rule. Some modern and historical decks include extra cards or have fewer cards. Here are some notable exceptions:
- Modern Witch Tarot (79 cards): This popular deck includes a duplicate Ten of Swords card with the phrase 'Everything is Fine,' giving readers an optional extra card.
- Star Spinner Tarot (81 cards): This deck features four different versions of The Lovers card, each representing different relationship dynamics, bringing the total to 81.
- Thoth Tarot (78 or 80 cards): Some editions of Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot include three versions of The Magus card, making it 80 cards in certain printings.
- The Fountain Tarot (79 cards): This deck adds a new Major Arcana card called The Fountain, which represents unity and timeless presence.
- Tarot de Marseille (56 cards): Historical decks from the 1500s sometimes had only 56 cards, as they were used primarily for playing games rather than divination.
These variations are fascinating, but they are exceptions. When most people ask how many tarot cards are there, they are referring to the standard 78-card structure. If you're buying your first deck, look for one that follows the traditional system—it will make learning much easier.
Why 78 Cards? A Brief History of the Tarot Deck
The 78-card structure didn't appear overnight. Tarot has a rich history that dates back to 15th-century Italy, where it was originally a card game called 'tarocchi' played by nobles. These early decks had 78 cards, including 22 trump cards (which later became the Major Arcana) and 56 pip cards (the Minor Arcana).
Over the centuries, tarot evolved. In the 18th and 19th centuries, occultists like Antoine Court de Gébelin and Eliphas Lévi began associating the cards with esoteric knowledge, Kabbalah, and astrology. This transformed tarot from a game into a tool for divination and spiritual exploration.
The modern standard was solidified in 1909 with the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Designed by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, this deck became the blueprint for most tarot decks today. It kept the 78-card structure but added detailed illustrations to the Minor Arcana, making the cards more intuitive and accessible.
Other influential decks, like the Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley, also adhered to the 78-card system, further cementing it as the standard. So when you ask how many tarot cards are there, you're tapping into a tradition that has been refined over more than 500 years.
How to Start Reading with a 78-Card Deck
Now that you know the answer to how many tarot cards are there, you might be ready to start reading. Here are some practical tips for beginners:
- Choose a beginner-friendly deck: The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is the most recommended for beginners because of its clear symbolism and abundant learning resources.
- Learn the Major Arcana first: Focus on the 22 Major Arcana cards, as they carry the most weight in readings. Understand their core meanings and how they relate to the Fool's Journey.
- Then move to the Minor Arcana: Study each suit (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles) and its elemental associations. Practice with the numbered cards before tackling the court cards.
- Start with simple spreads: A one-card daily draw or a three-card spread (past, present, future) is perfect for building confidence.
- Trust your intuition: While guidebooks are helpful, your personal impressions of the images are just as important. Tarot is a tool for self-reflection, not a rigid system.
- Keep a tarot journal: Write down your readings, the cards you drew, and your interpretations. Over time, you'll notice patterns and deepen your understanding.
Remember, tarot is a journey. You don't need to memorize all 78 cards overnight. Take your time, enjoy the process, and let the cards speak to you in their own way.
Further Exploration
Understanding how many tarot cards are there is just the beginning. The 78-card deck is a rich, layered system that offers endless opportunities for insight and growth. Whether you're drawn to the archetypal power of the Major Arcana or the practical wisdom of the Minor Arcana, each card has a story to tell.
As you continue your tarot journey, remember that the number 78 is a foundation, not a limitation. Some decks may add or subtract cards, but the core structure remains a powerful tool for self-discovery. Explore different decks, experiment with various spreads, and most importantly, trust your own connection to the cards. The more you practice, the more the 78 cards will reveal their depth and magic to you.
For entertainment purposes only. The content on this page is based on interpretive traditions and should not be considered professional advice. Outcomes are not guaranteed. Always consult a qualified professional for medical, legal, or financial matters.