Tarot History · 8 min · 2026-07-14
When opening a tarot card, what is the first thing that attracts you? Discover how to read animal symbols, colors and contexts to gain a deeper understanding of the message of each card.
Tarot's story runs from 15th-century Italian card games through 18th-century esoteric revival, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (1909), and today's mix of psychology and self-reflection. In practice, begin with the position's job, then let the card image sharpen the answer.
When you open a tarot card, what is the first thing that attracts you? Is it the character in the middle, the surrounding colors, or some small, unnoticeable detail?
Many people who first learn tarot often have the habit of "memorizing the meaning" — Witches represent actions, Lovers represent choices, Death represents transformation. But if you observe carefully, you might discover: the real power of these cards does not lie in their literal meaning, but in their symbols.
Tarot is more than just a divination tool — it is also a language that comes from humanity's collective subconscious. The animals, colors and backgrounds on the card are all common metaphors for the human soul. They tell stories from the subconscious, guiding us into the deepest corners of our hearts.
Let's follow these three symbolic lines to explore the full depth of tarot.
The animals in tarot are never just "decorative". They are incarnations of psychological energy, representing aspects of our instincts, intuition, loyalties, and fears — the closest symbols to human nature.
While the Fool carelessly walked towards the cliff, the puppy jumped happily beside him. This puppy is more than just a pet — he is incarnation and alertness. It reminds us that: even though we are enjoying the journey of adventure and freedom, in our hearts there is still an intuitive force protecting us.
In the Strength card, the woman gently tames the lion. The lion represents desire and wild nature, while the woman represents consciousness and compassion. This is not oppression, but taming. On a psychological level, the lion is the darkness and impulsive drives within us. Only when we accept them with love can we coexist with them.
Horses represent drive and vitality. In the Chariot card, two horses of different colors represent conflicting directions, suggesting that we must learn how to manage conflicts. In the Death card, the white horse carries Death, symbolizing irresistible transformation. And in the Sun card, a child rides on a white horse, simple and free, symbolizing innocence and rebirth.
The birds in the sky represent spirit and freedom. In particular, the eagle symbolizes clarity from a higher perspective. When they appear on the card, they remind us: let's raise our vision, don't get stuck in the troubles of the present.
Conclusion: Animals often represent "aspects of ourselves that are not governed by reason". When we see them, we are witnessing subconscious forces that are untamed or ignored. When several cards repeat a theme, treat the pattern as emphasis rather than certainty. For a cleaner reading, translate the symbol into one observable choice or behavior. If the card feels abstract, ask what it changes in the next small decision.
Colors are the most direct psychological cues. In tarot, each shade is an energy frequency, illuminating the state of the subconscious.
Blue appears widely in the Priestess and Star cards, symbolizing the subconscious, dreams and tranquility of the soul. When a card is all blue, it is a sign that you need to inner reflection, to listen to intuition.
Bright red is often seen in the cards Witch, Emperor, Devil. It reminds us of passion, desire and the power to act, but also warns of excessive impulsiveness. Red is a driving force — the querent needs to think about how to use it wisely.
Black often appears in the cards Death, High Tower, Devil, signifying the dark night of the subconscious. Many people are afraid of darkness, but it is essentially a transition before reincarnation — a necessary step in the evolution of the soul.
Gold in the Sun cards, Wheel of Fate and the Fool card scene, symbolizes light, optimism and new beginnings. Gold is manifesting energy — subliminal messages being brought into the conscious level.
Conclusion: Color is the "emotional climate" of tarot. They tell us whether the card's energy is directed inward (cool tones) or outward (warm tones), whether it is quiet or vibrant.
The backgrounds in tarot are not haphazardly drawn — they are the stage of the story. Each scene is filled with symbolism, making the event even more profound.
The cliff is a symbol of adventure and risk. It represents a tipping point — reminding us that every new beginning requires faith to overcome fear.
The tower struck by lightning is a symbol of human arrogance and unstable structures. On a psychological level, it represents the collapse of the false ego, forcing us to face the truth. Although painful, this is a necessary rebuilding process.
Rivers represent the flow of emotions and the subconscious. In the Star and Temperance cards, the water reminds us that emotions need to flow, not be repressed. Still water symbolizes a stagnant heart.
The garden symbolizes the growth of life and nurturing. When it appears, the subconscious is calling us to embrace nature and enjoy the richness of the present.
Conclusion: Context is a reflection of psychological circumstances. They don't just set the scene — they reveal the psychological state in which the event is taking place.
Tarot symbols are like images in dreams. When you dream of a river, you know it represents emotional flow. When you dream of a lion, you know it represents the strength and wild nature within. Similarly, the symbols on tarot cards also converse with our subconscious.
Animals remind us to face our instincts, colors guide us to understand our emotional states, and settings light the stage of life's journey. When we begin to understand psychology, tarot is no longer just a "true or false prediction tool", but becomes a mirror of the soul, helping us see ourselves most clearly.
So next time you do a tarot reading, stop and take a closer look at every detail on the card. Ask yourself:
Because the answer often lies not outside the world of cards, but deep in the bottom of our own hearts.
Read deeper
Reference source: tarotdrift.com — Symbolism in tarot: animals, colors and scenes
Source: tarotdrift.com
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