Indian Tarot Card Meanings
A Guide to all 78 Tarot Cards
The meanings of these cards are more or less same like the original Rider-Waite cards’ meanings, but with Indian essence imposed on them. The Major Arcana cards are tallied with Hindu deities according to their personalities and characteristics. The elements and colours of the Minor Arcana cards are adopted from the original Rider-Waite deck and shows Indian culture and geography.
Each card in the deck has different meanings. More interestingly, the position of the cards also matters. If the card is upright, i.e., if the card is facing towards you, then it has one type of meaning. And if the card is reversed or upside-down, then the meaning changes.
The Major Arcana cards talk about life lessons, karma, major influences on life, and the soul’s journey towards enlightenment.
The Minor Arcana cards gives guidance about everyday life, short-term goals etc.
Meanings of 22 Major Arcana of the INDIAN TAROTS
Minor Arcana of the INDIAN TAROTS
Meanings of Suit of Wands Cards
Out of the four elements, Fire is the one that can give life as easily as it can take it. Its unpredictable, unwinding energy is representative of the lifegiving sun and of destructive forces such as wildfires. Fire is associated with action and is associated with the direction South; this is why the suit of wand in the ‘Indian Tarots’ deck shows the culture of Southern India. The artform chosen for this suit is – Kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh. The clothing styles and backgrounds showcase the culture and geography of Southern India and also Sri Lanka. Artist : Biswajit Jena (Orissa)
Meanings of Suit of Cups Cards
In tarot, the Suit of Cups represents the element of Water and is associated with emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity. A glass of water can offer life, but an ocean can drown ships. Water is associated with the direction West; this is why the suit of wand in the ‘Indian Tarots’ deck shows the culture of Western India. The artform chosen for this suit is – Pichwai from Rajasthan. The clothing styles and backgrounds showcase the culture and geography of western India. Artist : Chandan Singh (Rajasthan)
Meanings of Suit of Swords Cards
In tarot, the Suit of Swords represents the element of Air and is associated with the intellect, communication, and the power of the mind. The Suit of Swords represents our mental life and our ability to think, reason, and communicate effectively. Air is associated with the direction North; this is why the suit of wand in the ‘Indian Tarots’ deck shows the culture of Northern India. The artform chosen for this suit is – Tibeti Thanka. The clothing styles and backgrounds showcase the culture and geography of Northern India like Kashmir, Tibet and Himalayan Mountain Range. Artist : Chandan Singh (Rajasthan) + Ishika Mitra (Ideation, West Bengal)
Meanings of Suit of Pentacles Cards
In tarot card reading, the suit of pentacles represents material resources, finances, wealth, and prosperity. It represents earth. Earth is associated with the direction East; this is why the suit of wand in the ‘Indian Tarots’ deck shows the culture of Eastern India. The artform chosen for this suit is – Bengali Patachitra. The clothing styles and backgrounds showcase the culture and geography of Eastern India like West Bengal, Orissa, North-East India and also Bangladesh. Artist : Chandrachur Mukherjee (West Bengal)
