Complete List of Tarot Cards: All 78 Cards and Their Meanings
Discover the complete list of tarot cards, from The Fool to the King of Pentacles. This guide covers all 78 cards in the traditional tarot deck, including the Major Arcana and the four suits of the Minor Arcana, with core meanings for each card.
Table of Contents
If you are new to tarot or looking to deepen your understanding, knowing the complete list of tarot cards is the first step. A traditional tarot deck contains 78 cards, each carrying its own symbolism, energy, and message. This article provides a full list of tarot cards, divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana, along with their core meanings. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced reader, this guide will serve as a helpful reference for your tarot journey.
What is a Tarot Deck?
A tarot deck is a collection of 78 cards used as a tool for reflection, meditation, and personal insight. The deck is divided into two main sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent the major themes, life lessons, and archetypal energies we encounter on our life path. These cards often signal significant turning points or deep spiritual lessons. The Minor Arcana contains 56 cards that focus on the details of everyday life, including emotions, actions, challenges, and practical matters. The Minor Arcana is further divided into four suits—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—each associated with a specific element and area of life. Understanding this structure is essential when exploring any list of tarot cards.
The 22 Major Arcana Cards (List and Core Meanings)
The Major Arcana cards are numbered from 0 to 21. They are often considered the heart of the tarot deck, representing the Fool's Journey—a symbolic path of growth, challenge, and transformation. Below is the complete list of tarot cards in the Major Arcana, along with their core upright meanings.
- 0. The Fool – Beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a leap of faith.
- 1. The Magician – Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, focused intention.
- 2. The High Priestess – Intuition, mystery, sacred knowledge, the subconscious.
- 3. The Empress – Femininity, abundance, nature, creativity, nurturing.
- 4. The Emperor – Authority, structure, stability, discipline, leadership.
- 5. The Hierophant – Tradition, spiritual wisdom, conformity, guidance.
- 6. The Lovers – Love, harmony, relationships, choices, alignment.
- 7. The Chariot – Willpower, determination, control, victory through focus.
- 8. Strength – Inner strength, courage, compassion, patience.
- 9. The Hermit – Introspection, solitude, soul-searching, inner guidance.
- 10. Wheel of Fortune – Cycles, fate, change, luck, turning points.
- 11. Justice – Fairness, truth, legal matters, cause and effect.
- 12. The Hanged Man – Surrender, pause, new perspective, letting go.
- 13. Death – Transformation, endings, new beginnings, release.
- 14. Temperance – Balance, moderation, patience, harmony.
- 15. The Devil – Attachment, materialism, shadow self, temptation.
- 16. The Tower – Sudden upheaval, chaos, revelation, breaking down.
- 17. The Star – Hope, inspiration, serenity, purpose, healing.
- 18. The Moon – Illusion, fear, intuition, the unknown, dreams.
- 19. The Sun – Joy, success, vitality, clarity, celebration.
- 20. Judgement – Rebirth, inner calling, reflection, absolution.
- 21. The World – Completion, fulfillment, accomplishment, integration.
The 56 Minor Arcana Cards: The Four Suits Explained
The Minor Arcana cards focus on the practical aspects of daily life. They are divided into four suits, each associated with an element and a distinct realm of experience. When you look at a list of tarot cards, the Minor Arcana makes up the majority of the deck. Each suit contains 14 cards: Ace through Ten, plus four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King).
- Wands (Fire): Action, passion, creativity, ambition, and career.
- Cups (Water): Emotions, relationships, intuition, love, and connection.
- Swords (Air): Intellect, communication, conflict, truth, and mental challenges.
- Pentacles (Earth): Material world, work, finances, health, and physical stability.
The Suit of Wands: All 14 Cards
The Suit of Wands represents the element of Fire. These cards speak to your drive, inspiration, and the actions you take to bring your ideas to life. Here is the complete list of tarot cards in the Wands suit with their core upright meanings.
- Ace of Wands – Inspiration, new beginnings, creative spark, potential.
- Two of Wands – Planning, future vision, decisions, personal power.
- Three of Wands – Expansion, foresight, progress, overseas opportunities.
- Four of Wands – Celebration, harmony, homecoming, stability.
- Five of Wands – Conflict, competition, tension, rivalry.
- Six of Wands – Victory, recognition, success, public acclaim.
- Seven of Wands – Defense, perseverance, standing your ground.
- Eight of Wands – Speed, movement, swift action, communication.
- Nine of Wands – Resilience, persistence, last stand, boundaries.
- Ten of Wands – Burden, responsibility, hard work, overload.
- Page of Wands – Exploration, enthusiasm, discovery, free spirit.
- Knight of Wands – Action, adventure, impulsiveness, passion.
- Queen of Wands – Confidence, warmth, determination, charisma.
- King of Wands – Leadership, vision, entrepreneurship, boldness.
The Suit of Cups: All 14 Cards
The Suit of Cups is associated with the element of Water. These cards explore your emotional world, relationships, and intuitive feelings. Below is the complete list of tarot cards in the Cups suit.
- Ace of Cups – New love, compassion, emotional awakening, joy.
- Two of Cups – Partnership, mutual attraction, unity, connection.
- Three of Cups – Celebration, friendship, community, creativity.
- Four of Cups – Apathy, contemplation, dissatisfaction, meditation.
- Five of Cups – Grief, loss, regret, disappointment.
- Six of Cups – Nostalgia, childhood, innocence, happy memories.
- Seven of Cups – Fantasy, illusion, choices, wishful thinking.
- Eight of Cups – Departure, withdrawal, seeking truth, moving on.
- Nine of Cups – Wish fulfillment, satisfaction, contentment, luxury.
- Ten of Cups – Harmony, family, bliss, emotional fulfillment.
- Page of Cups – Creative message, intuition, inner child, curiosity.
- Knight of Cups – Romance, charm, imagination, idealism.
- Queen of Cups – Empathy, intuition, nurturing, emotional depth.
- King of Cups – Emotional maturity, diplomacy, calm, wisdom.
The Suit of Swords: All 14 Cards
The Suit of Swords is linked to the element of Air. These cards deal with the mind, communication, and the challenges that come with truth and conflict. Here is the full list of tarot cards in the Swords suit.
- Ace of Swords – Clarity, truth, breakthrough, mental sharpness.
- Two of Swords – Indecision, stalemate, avoidance, difficult choices.
- Three of Swords – Heartbreak, grief, sorrow, painful truth.
- Four of Swords – Rest, recovery, contemplation, meditation.
- Five of Swords – Conflict, defeat, winning at a cost, tension.
- Six of Swords – Transition, moving on, rite of passage, travel.
- Seven of Swords – Deception, strategy, stealth, getting away with something.
- Eight of Swords – Restriction, self-imprisonment, victim mentality, fear.
- Nine of Swords – Anxiety, nightmares, worry, despair.
- Ten of Swords – Rock bottom, painful ending, crisis, release.
- Page of Swords – Curiosity, vigilance, new ideas, communication.
- Knight of Swords – Ambition, action, drive, haste, determination.
- Queen of Swords – Independence, clear thinking, boundaries, honesty.
- King of Swords – Authority, truth, intellectual power, ethics.
The Suit of Pentacles: All 14 Cards
The Suit of Pentacles is connected to the element of Earth. These cards focus on the material aspects of life, including work, finances, health, and physical well-being. Below is the complete list of tarot cards in the Pentacles suit.
- Ace of Pentacles – Opportunity, prosperity, new venture, abundance.
- Two of Pentacles – Balance, adaptability, juggling priorities, change.
- Three of Pentacles – Teamwork, craftsmanship, collaboration, skill building.
- Four of Pentacles – Security, control, conservation, hoarding.
- Five of Pentacles – Hardship, poverty, isolation, feeling left out.
- Six of Pentacles – Generosity, charity, sharing, giving and receiving.
- Seven of Pentacles – Patience, investment, long-term results, assessment.
- Eight of Pentacles – Skill development, diligence, mastery, apprenticeship.
- Nine of Pentacles – Luxury, self-sufficiency, abundance, comfort.
- Ten of Pentacles – Legacy, wealth, family, long-term success.
- Page of Pentacles – Ambition, desire to learn, new opportunity, practicality.
- Knight of Pentacles – Reliability, hard work, routine, perseverance.
- Queen of Pentacles – Nurturing, abundance, practical wisdom, comfort.
- King of Pentacles – Wealth, business, leadership, stability, generosity.
Further exploration of this list of tarot cards will reveal how each card interacts with others in a reading. The more you work with the cards, the more personal meanings will emerge. Use this list as a foundation, but always trust your intuition when interpreting the messages of the tarot.
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.