Difference between revisions of "The Emperor"
Occultwiki (talk | contribs) |
Occultwiki (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:04 The Emperor.png|500px|thumb|Depictions of The Emperor from various Tarot decks]] | [[File:04 The Emperor.png|500px|thumb|Depictions of The Emperor from various Tarot decks]] | ||
'''The Emperor''' is the fourth card in the [[Major Arcana]] in most traditional [[Tarot]] decks. | '''The Emperor''' is the fourth card in the [[Major Arcana]] in most traditional [[Tarot]] decks. | ||
It is associated with the [[sefirot|sefira]] of [[Chesed]] ("Kindness") on the [[Kabbalah|Kabbalistic]] [[Tree of Life]]. | |||
==Depiction== | ==Depiction== | ||
Revision as of 17:17, 27 November 2024
The Emperor is the fourth card in the Major Arcana in most traditional Tarot decks.
It is associated with the sefira of Chesed ("Kindness") on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
Depiction
The essential design features for The Emperor have changed very little from the early versions in the Visconti-Sforza Tarot, which showed a white-haired elderly man holding symbols of kingship upon a throne.
The Tarot of Marseilles added a shield with the crest of the Holy Roman Emperor beside the throne.
In the Rider-Waite Tarot, The Emperor sits on a ram-adorned throne, a symbol of Mars. Another ram head can be seen on his cloak. His long white beard bears the symbol of "wisdom". He holds an Ankh scepter in his right hand, and a globe, symbol of domination, in his left. The Emperor sits atop a stark, barren mountain, a sign of "sterility of regulation, and unyielding power." He symbolizes the top of the secular hierarchy, the ultimate male ego. The Emperor is the absolute ruler of the world.
The Vlad Dracula Tarot abandons the European imagery completely and depicts this card as Sultan Mehmed II, the Ottoman emperor who exerted tremendous influence over Vlad the Impaler and all of eastern Europe during his rule.
Divinatory meaning
In divination, this card usually indicates stability, power, and protection. A great person. The father of the Querent.
In reversed position, it means: Benevolence and compassion. Confusion to enemies, obstruction, and immaturity.
| Tarot Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Major Arcana | The Fool • The Magician • The High Priestess • The Empress • The Emperor • The Hierophant • The Lovers • The Chariot • Strength • The Hermit • Wheel of Fortune • Justice • The Hanged Man • Death • Temperance • The Devil • The Tower • The Star • The Moon • The Sun • Judgement • The World | |
| Minor Arcana | Pentacles | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King |
| Wands | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King | |
| Cups | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King | |
| Swords | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King | |
| Decks | Visconti-Sforza Tarot • Tarot of Marseilles • Rider-Waite Tarot • Thoth Tarot • Occult Tarot • Angel Tarot • Vlad Dracula Tarot • Hieronymus Bosch Tarot | |