Summary: This searchable tarot card database is a structured reference for all 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. Compare upright and reversed tarot keywords, elements, astrological correspondences, and suit categories in one place.
Author and reviewer: Selin Aura, Tarot Practitioner & Founder of Deckaura. Maintained with the Deckaura Editorial Team using the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition and the cited reference works below. Last updated: August 25, 2026.
What Is Tarot? Definition and Deck Structure
Tarot is a structured system of 78 illustrated cards used for reflection, storytelling, and divination. A standard deck contains 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The cards do not form a fixed prediction system; readers combine traditional symbolism, spread position, surrounding cards, and the question being explored.
What is a tarot card?
A practical tarot card definition is: one illustrated card within a tarot deck, assigned a name, number or court rank, symbolic imagery, and a range of upright and reversed meanings. A single tarot card can act as an archetype, a situation, an attitude, an influence, or a prompt for reflection depending on its position in a reading.
How tarot cards are categorized
Every card belongs to a tarot card category. The Major Arcana describes broad archetypal themes and turning points. The Minor Arcana focuses on everyday experience through four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. This database uses those categories to make the complete tarot cards list easier to scan and compare.
Tarot Card Database Overview
- Total Cards: 78
- Major Arcana: 22 cards (The Fool through The World)
- Minor Arcana: 56 cards across 4 suits
- Suits: Wands (Fire), Cups (Water), Swords (Air), Pentacles (Earth)
- Data Points per Card: Name, number, element, astrological association, upright keywords, reversed keywords
- Tradition: Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) based interpretations
- License: CC BY 4.0, free to cite with attribution to Deckaura
Major Arcana (22 Cards)
The Major Arcana represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons. They depict the archetypes of the human experience, from The Fool's innocent beginnings to The World's completion and fulfillment.
| Number | Card Name | Element | Planet / Zodiac | Upright Keywords | Reversed Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | The Fool | Air | Uranus | New beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, free spirit | Recklessness, fear, risk-taking, holding back |
| I | The Magician | Air | Mercury | Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action | Manipulation, poor planning, untapped talents |
| II | The High Priestess | Water | Moon | Intuition, sacred knowledge, divine feminine, the subconscious | Secrets, disconnected from intuition, withdrawal |
| III | The Empress | Earth | Venus | Femininity, beauty, nature, nurturing, abundance | Creative block, dependence, emptiness |
| IV | The Emperor | Fire | Aries | Authority, structure, control, fatherhood, stability | Tyranny, rigidity, coldness, domination |
| V | The Hierophant | Earth | Taurus | Spiritual wisdom, tradition, conformity, morality | Rebellion, subversiveness, new approaches |
| VI | The Lovers | Air | Gemini | Love, harmony, relationships, values alignment, choices | Self-love, disharmony, imbalance, misalignment |
| VII | The Chariot | Water | Cancer | Control, willpower, success, determination, action | Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction |
| VIII | Strength | Fire | Leo | Strength, courage, persuasion, influence, compassion | Inner strength, self-doubt, low energy, raw emotion |
| IX | The Hermit | Earth | Virgo | Soul-searching, introspection, being alone, inner guidance | Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal, lost |
| X | Wheel of Fortune | Fire | Jupiter | Good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, turning point | Bad luck, resistance to change, breaking cycles |
| XI | Justice | Air | Libra | Justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law | Unfairness, lack of accountability, dishonesty |
| XII | The Hanged Man | Water | Neptune | Pause, surrender, letting go, new perspectives | Delays, resistance, stalling, indecision |
| XIII | Death | Water | Scorpio | Endings, change, transformation, transition | Resistance to change, personal transformation, inner purging |
| XIV | Temperance | Fire | Sagittarius | Balance, moderation, patience, purpose | Imbalance, excess, self-healing, realignment |
| XV | The Devil | Earth | Capricorn | Shadow self, attachment, addiction, restriction | Releasing limiting beliefs, exploring dark thoughts, detachment |
| XVI | The Tower | Fire | Mars | Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening | Personal transformation, fear of change, averting disaster |
| XVII | The Star | Air | Aquarius | Hope, faith, purpose, renewal, spirituality | Lack of faith, despair, self-trust, disconnection |
| XVIII | The Moon | Water | Pisces | Illusion, fear, anxiety, subconscious, intuition | Release of fear, repressed emotion, inner confusion |
| XIX | The Sun | Fire | Sun | Positivity, fun, warmth, success, vitality | Inner child, feeling down, overly optimistic |
| XX | Judgement | Fire | Pluto | Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution | Self-doubt, inner critic, ignoring the call |
| XXI | The World | Earth | Saturn | Completion, integration, accomplishment, travel | Seeking personal closure, short-cuts, delays |
Minor Arcana (56 Cards)
The Minor Arcana reflect the trials and tribulations of daily life. They are divided into four suits, each associated with a classical element and domain of experience.
Suit of Wands, Element: Fire
| Card Name | Element | Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Wands | Fire | Inspiration, new opportunities, growth, potential |
| Two of Wands | Fire | Future planning, progress, decisions, discovery |
| Three of Wands | Fire | Progress, expansion, foresight, overseas opportunities |
| Four of Wands | Fire | Celebration, joy, harmony, relaxation, homecoming |
| Five of Wands | Fire | Disagreements, competition, tension, conflict |
| Six of Wands | Fire | Public recognition, victory, progress, self-confidence |
| Seven of Wands | Fire | Challenge, competition, protection, perseverance |
| Eight of Wands | Fire | Speed, action, air travel, movement, swift change |
| Nine of Wands | Fire | Resilience, courage, persistence, test of faith |
| Ten of Wands | Fire | Burden, extra responsibility, hard work, completion |
| Page of Wands | Fire | Inspiration, ideas, discovery, limitless potential |
| Knight of Wands | Fire | Energy, passion, inspired action, adventure |
| Queen of Wands | Fire | Courage, confidence, independence, social butterfly |
| King of Wands | Fire | Natural-born leader, vision, entrepreneur, honour |
Suit of Cups, Element: Water
| Card Name | Element | Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Cups | Water | Love, new relationships, compassion, creativity |
| Two of Cups | Water | Unified love, partnership, mutual attraction |
| Three of Cups | Water | Celebration, friendship, creativity, collaborations |
| Four of Cups | Water | Meditation, contemplation, apathy, reevaluation |
| Five of Cups | Water | Regret, failure, disappointment, pessimism |
| Six of Cups | Water | Revisiting the past, childhood memories, innocence |
| Seven of Cups | Water | Opportunities, choices, wishful thinking, illusion |
| Eight of Cups | Water | Disappointment, abandonment, withdrawal, escapism |
| Nine of Cups | Water | Contentment, satisfaction, gratitude, wish come true |
| Ten of Cups | Water | Divine love, blissful relationships, harmony, alignment |
| Page of Cups | Water | Creative opportunities, intuitive messages, curiosity |
| Knight of Cups | Water | Creativity, romance, charm, imagination, beauty |
| Queen of Cups | Water | Compassion, calm, comfort, emotional security |
| King of Cups | Water | Emotionally balanced, compassionate, diplomatic |
Suit of Swords, Element: Air
| Card Name | Element | Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Swords | Air | Breakthroughs, new ideas, mental clarity, success |
| Two of Swords | Air | Difficult decisions, weighing options, stalemate |
| Three of Swords | Air | Heartbreak, emotional pain, sorrow, grief |
| Four of Swords | Air | Rest, relaxation, meditation, contemplation |
| Five of Swords | Air | Conflict, disagreements, competition, defeat |
| Six of Swords | Air | Transition, change, rite of passage, releasing baggage |
| Seven of Swords | Air | Betrayal, deception, getting away with something |
| Eight of Swords | Air | Negative thoughts, self-imposed restriction, trapped |
| Nine of Swords | Air | Anxiety, worry, fear, depression, nightmares |
| Ten of Swords | Air | Painful endings, deep wounds, betrayal, loss |
| Page of Swords | Air | New ideas, curiosity, thirst for knowledge |
| Knight of Swords | Air | Ambitious, action-oriented, driven to succeed |
| Queen of Swords | Air | Independent, unbiased judgement, clear boundaries |
| King of Swords | Air | Mental clarity, intellectual power, authority, truth |
Suit of Pentacles, Element: Earth
| Card Name | Element | Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Pentacles | Earth | A new financial or career opportunity, manifestation |
| Two of Pentacles | Earth | Multiple priorities, time management, adaptability |
| Three of Pentacles | Earth | Teamwork, collaboration, learning, implementation |
| Four of Pentacles | Earth | Saving money, security, conservatism, scarcity |
| Five of Pentacles | Earth | Financial loss, poverty, lack mindset, isolation |
| Six of Pentacles | Earth | Giving, receiving, sharing wealth, generosity |
| Seven of Pentacles | Earth | Long-term view, sustainable results, perseverance |
| Eight of Pentacles | Earth | Apprenticeship, repetitive tasks, mastery, skill |
| Nine of Pentacles | Earth | Abundance, luxury, self-sufficiency, financial security |
| Ten of Pentacles | Earth | Wealth, financial security, family, long-term success |
| Page of Pentacles | Earth | Manifestation, financial opportunity, skill development |
| Knight of Pentacles | Earth | Hard work, productivity, routine, conservatism |
| Queen of Pentacles | Earth | Nurturing, practical, providing financially, security |
| King of Pentacles | Earth | Wealth, business, leadership, security, discipline |
How to Use This Tarot Card Dictionary
Use the tarot keywords chart during a reading
Find each card in the tables and begin with its concise upright or reversed keywords. These tarot card keywords are memory cues, not complete predictions. Connect the tarot words with the question, the card’s spread position, and nearby cards before forming an interpretation.
Build a personal tarot dictionary for study
Study one card at a time and record its element, correspondence, and core meaning in a journal. Add observations from your readings beneath the traditional reference. Over time, this creates a personal tarot dictionary while preserving the shared structure that makes interpretations comparable.
Compare tarot card categories, suits, and elements
During a reading, look for repeated categories and elemental patterns. Many Wands can emphasize action or creativity; Cups, emotion and relationships; Swords, thought and communication; Pentacles, practical resources and material concerns. Major Arcana cards often give the spread a broader thematic emphasis.
Use the list with different tarot card decks
Many modern tarot card decks follow the Rider-Waite-Smith sequence, but artwork, titles, and suit names can vary. Compare your deck’s guidebook with this reference rather than assuming every image carries exactly the same emphasis.
Cite or reuse the structured reference
This set of tarot cards with keywords is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Researchers, writers, educators, and app developers may reference and cite the data with attribution to Deckaura.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tarot Cards
What is the definition of tarot?
Tarot is a structured system of 78 illustrated cards used for reflection, storytelling, and divination. The deck combines 22 Major Arcana cards with 56 Minor Arcana cards.
How many cards are in a tarot deck?
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana consists of four 14-card suits—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.
What are the main tarot card categories?
The two main categories are Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana then divides into four suits. Court cards—Page, Knight, Queen, and King—form a recurring rank group within each suit.
Where can I find a tarot cards list with keywords?
The tables on this page provide a complete tarot cards list with keywords for every Major and Minor Arcana card. They include upright and reversed meanings, elements, and astrological correspondences where applicable.
What do upright and reversed tarot card keywords mean?
Upright keywords summarize a card’s direct or outward expression. Reversed keywords may indicate blocked, internalized, delayed, excessive, or shadow expressions. Reversal methods differ, so choose one approach and use it consistently.
Do all tarot card decks use the same meanings?
No. Many decks retain the Rider-Waite-Smith structure, but artists and creators may change imagery, titles, suit names, or interpretive emphasis. Use the deck’s guidebook alongside a traditional tarot card dictionary.
Can I cite this tarot database?
Yes. The structured reference is available under the CC BY 4.0 license. Cite Deckaura and link to this page when reusing the data.
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About this database: Authored and reviewed by Selin Aura, Tarot Practitioner & Founder of Deckaura, and maintained with the Deckaura Editorial Team. Interpretations are synthesized from the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition, incorporating A.E. Waite's Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), Eden Gray's Complete Guide to the Tarot (1970), and contemporary tarot scholarship. Last updated: August 25, 2026.
