The Lovers
The Lovers is the sixth card in the Major Arcana in most traditional tarot decks.
The Lovers is associated with the star sign Gemini, and indeed is also known as The Twins in some decks. Other associations are with air, Mercury, and the Hebrew letter ז (Zayin).
History
In the 1374 trionfi poem which inspired the creation of the tarot, Love was the name of one of the six original triumphs. The painting of Love depicts a tall carriage adored with numerous cherubs carried by two pairs of horses. The cherubs are armed with bows and arrows and are shooting their arrows outward into the world. The crowd around the carriage is filled with pairs of lovers.
Depiction
In the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, the imagery for this card is changed significantly from the traditional depiction. Instead of a couple receiving a blessing from a noble or cleric, the Rider–Waite deck depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. By reducing the number of people depicted in the card from three to two, Waite was able to reinforce its correspondence with Gemini. The Rider–Waite card also includes the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil with a serpent wrapped around its trunk. The symbolism of no return from making bad decisions, and the consequences of innocence lost, would be more widely understood from this imagery.
Divinatory meaning
In divination, this card usually indicates attraction, love, beauty, and relationships.
In reversed position, it means: Failure and foolish plans. A frustrated marriage.
| 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 | |