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Tarot Card Meanings:
The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man: Overview and Symbols

The Hanged Man is card number twelve in the Major Arcana. It is a beacon of pure joy, optimism, and success. This card paints a picture of a carefree spirit basking in the warmth of success and inner peace.

Some Specific Symbols and Their Meanings in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot:

  • Figure hanging upside-down: Symbolizes a shift in perspective, surrender, and letting go of control.

  • Halo around head: Represents enlightenment, spiritual insight, and inner clarity.

  • Crossed legs in an inverted triangle shape: Reflects balance, harmony, and acceptance.

  • Serene expression: Indicates peace, acceptance, and the calm that comes with patience.

  • Tree from which he hangs: Suggests grounding, stability, and the roots of understanding.
the hanged man from the rider waite smith tarot
The Hanged Man as depicted in the Rider-Waite Smith Tarot by A.E. White, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith

The Hanged Man: Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Surrender, patience, new perspective, pause, letting go, acceptance, spiritual insight, contemplation.

The Hanged Man in the tarot signifies the importance of surrendering to the present moment and allowing things to unfold naturally. This card represents the value of taking a pause to gain a fresh perspective, letting go of control, and embracing patience as a path to enlightenment. It highlights the wisdom that can be gained by viewing challenges from a different angle, using stillness and reflection as a means of growth. The Hanged Man encourages you to accept where you are, release any pressure to act, and trust that clarity will come through patience and openness.

The Hanged Man: Reversed Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Resistance, impatience, delay, avoidance, missed insight, lack of perspective, stagnation.

When the Hanged Man appears reversed in a tarot reading, it signifies resistance to change or an unwillingness to pause and reflect, resulting in stagnation. This card suggests impatience or avoidance, where attempts to control or rush a situation may be preventing important insights from emerging. It reflects a missed opportunity for growth due to the lack of willingness to see things from a new perspective. The Hanged Man reversed urges you to slow down, embrace patience, and open yourself to new ways of thinking, allowing insight and clarity to come naturally.

Gallery: The Hanged Man in Various Decks