How-to Guides · 10 min · 2026-07-15
Discover the 78 cards of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck through profound symbolism, from The Fool (0) to The World (21). This article provides foundational knowledge about the deck's history, the meaning of each card, and how to use them in readings.
The Rider-Waite-Smith deck (or Waite Tarot) is one of the most famous tarot decks in the world. It was designed by scholar Arthur Edward Waite, illustrated by artist Pamela Colman Smith, and first published in 1909 by Rider & Company.
Arthur Edward Waite was an occultist and author, a member of the "Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn". He integrated Western traditions of occult thought, Kabbalah, astrology, and Egyptian mythology into the design of the deck.
Pamela Colman Smith, a multi-talented artist, combines influences from folk art, African art and Western traditions into her illustrations.
Different from traditional tarot decks, Rider-Waite-Smith is the first deck with detailed illustrations for the Minor Arcana (22 small cards). Each card has not only a simple symbol but also a complex scene, helping readers easily connect with the meaning of each card.
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These cards represent major events and lessons in life, often depicting the spiritual journey from innocence (The Fool – 0) to fulfillment (The World – 21).
Divided into 4 suits corresponding to 4 elements: - Cups – Water → Emotions, relationships - Swords – Air → Thinking, conflict - Wands – Fire → Energy, creativity, action - Pentacles (Coins) – Land → Finance, material, health
Each suit has 14 cards: Ace (1) to 10, then 4 Face cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King).
Image: A carefree guy, wearing bright clothes, standing on a high cliff, holding a white rose in his hand, followed by a dog.
Main Meaning: - New beginnings, adventure, optimism - Symbolizes infinite possibilities and untapped potential - Represents faith in life
When Showing Up Right: Encourages you to step out of your comfort zone, face the unknown, trust your intuition.
When Opposite Direction Appears: Warning about hasty decisions and lack of planning; Respect the consequences of actions.
Image: A man wearing a red shirt with an infinity symbol (∞) on his head, right hand pointing to the sky, left hand pointing to the ground. Before him are four symbols representing Cups, Swords, Wands and Coins.
Main Meaning: - Creativity, confidence, ability to carry out intentions - Symbolizes the principle "As above and below, as inside and out" - Represents the efficient use of available resources
When You Show Up Right: You have the power to make your dreams come true. It's time to take action, use your skills and talents.
When Opposite Direction Appears: Unrealized potential, lack of focus, or signs of deception.
Image: A woman sits between two black (B) and white (J) columns, wearing a blue shirt and a crescent crown. In his hand was a half-open book.
Main Meaning: - Intuition, mystery, hidden knowledge - Symbolizes the conscious level and what lies below the surface - Encourage looking inside, listening to the inner voice
When Appearing in the Right Direction: Trust your intuition. A good time to reflect, to search for hidden truths.
When It Appears in the Opposite Direction: Intuition is clouded by emotions, difficulty trusting yourself, or information is hidden.
Image: A woman sits on a throne, wearing a long dress decorated with pomegranates and a crown of stars.
Main Meaning: - Mom is calculating, gentle, creative - Symbolizes abundance, nature, fertility - Encourage self-love and self-care
When It Comes Right: A period of growth, happiness and harmony. Take care of what's important to you.
When Appearing Reversed: May warn of being overprotective, dependent, or self-neglected.
Image: A man dressed in red with armor, wearing a golden crown, sitting on a throne with campaign heads.
Main Meaning: - Power, management, fatherhood - Symbolizes order, rules, and solid foundation - Encourage autonomy and leadership
When Showing Up Right: Time to establish discipline, structure and protection. Decisive action will bring results.
When the Opposite Appears: Excessive control, rigidity, or lack of basic cues.
Image: A pope wearing a red shirt, wearing a three-layered crown, holding a three-branched cane, sitting on a throne with two golden keys at his feet.
Main Meaning: - Tradition, belief, education - Symbolizes inherited knowledge and guidance - Encourage seeking advice and learning
When Appearing in the Right Direction: This is the time to seek out a teacher or follow a meaningful tradition. Education and community play important roles.
When Opposite Direction Appears: You may feel restricted by rules, or need to find your own way.
Image: Two naked people (representing Adam and Eve) standing under an angel with red wings, the background is a mountain and the sun.
Main Meaning: - Love, important choices, harmony - Symbolizes the combination of the two sides - Encourage to choose according to your heart but also consider
When It Comes Right: An important relationship or special choice is about to happen. A moment of deep connection.
When Opposite Direction Appears: Disconnection, value conflict, or difficult choices.
Image: A warrior on a chariot pulled by two lions (one white, one black), wearing armor with a star symbol, sitting on a chariot against a starry sky.
Main Meaning: - Victory, strong will, self-control - Symbolizes personal strength and identifies goals - Encourage control of opposition forces
When Appearing in the Right Direction: You have the ability to overcome obstacles. Decisive action will lead to victory.
When Opposite Direction Appears: Loss of direction, loss of control, or internal conflict.
Image: A woman wearing a white shirt, wearing a flower crown, gently closes the mouth of a lion, with an infinity symbol on her head.
Main Meaning: - Inner strength, courage, endurance - Symbolizes soft strength, not violence - Encourage the use of patience and love
When Showing Up Right: You have the inner strength to face challenges. Patience and compassion will prevail.
When It Appears In The Opposite Direction: Feeling weak, losing confidence, or having difficulty controlling.
Image: An old man wearing a gray shirt, standing on a mountain, holding a lantern with a six-sided star inside, and a stick in the other hand.
Main Meaning: - Ponder, seek the truth, learn for yourself - Symbolizes inner light and wisdom - Encourage independence and finding answers from within
When It Comes Right: Time to retreat, reflect, and find answers. Self-searching will bring light.
When Opposite Direction Appears: Excessive isolation, rejection of connection, or loss of direction.
Symbolizes limitless possibilities, an empty state filled with possibilities.
Represents personal power, initiation, leadership.
Symbol of opposition, choice, and balance between the two.
Represents development, communication, creativity.
Symbolizes stability, rules, and solid foundation.
Represents change, learning, adaptation.
Symbol of love, responsibility, common consent.
Represents profound, secret, searching.
Symbolizes strength, success, power.
Represents the end of a cycle, insight. 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.
1. Find a quiet space – Where you can concentrate without distractions. 2. Consciously shuffle the cards – While asking your question or intention. 3. Cut the cards (optional) – Some people like to cut the deck into three parts.
Simple Three Cards: Past – Present – Future - Easy to learn, suitable for beginners - Provide clear direction about the situation
Celtic Cross (Salib Kelt) Layout: 10 positions - More complex, providing detailed information - Includes: Current Situation, Obstacles, Goals/Results, Background, Near Past, Near Future, You, Outside Influences, Hopes/Fear, Final Result
1. Pay attention to the leaf direction – Correct or opposite direction changes the meaning 2. the context – Position in the bundle affects meaning 3. Find connections – See how the cards are related to each other 4. Listen to your intuition – How you feel about the card is just as important as the traditional meaning
Reference source: zhihu.com — Rider Waite Tarot Guide for Beginners
Reading note: Check these meanings against the cards beside them before settling on one keyword. The strongest interpretation usually connects image, position, and question in one sentence.
Source: Zhihu
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