The Sun

The Sun is the 19th card in the Major Arcana in most traditional Tarot decks.

Depictions of The Sun from various Tarot decks

Rider-Waite Depiction

In the Rider-Waite Tarot, artist Pamela Colman Smith depicted The Sun as a naked child sitting upon a white horse carrying a red banner. Overhead, a sun with many rays shines down upon the scene, which is rimmed with sunflowers in full bloom. All four elements: the child, the sun, the flowers and the horse, are facing the viewer, as though you will be receiving the benefits of all of them at once.

Symbolism

The Sun is the Sun, and this card means everything that astrology can tell about the Sun, in every respect and on all planes. It means the positive or masculine elements in general, the power and function of will and concentration, great benefit and mighty protection in spiritual as well as in mundane life and matters. It may signify the father of the querent and high authorities, king, president, or a ruler. The spiritual centre of man and the centre of importance in everything is indicated by it.

The card signifies the transit from the manifest light of this world, represented by the glorious sun of earth, to the light of the world to come, which goes before aspiration and is typified by the heart of a child.

Divinatory meaning

In divination, this card usually indicates material happiness, fortunate marriage, contentment.

In reversed position, it means: The same as when upright, but to a lesser degree.



Tarot Topics
Major Arcana The FoolThe MagicianThe High PriestessThe EmpressThe EmperorThe HierophantThe LoversThe ChariotStrengthThe HermitWheel of FortuneJusticeThe Hanged ManDeathTemperanceThe DevilThe TowerThe StarThe MoonThe SunJudgementThe World
Minor Arcana Pentacles AceTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightNineTenPageKnightQueenKing
Wands AceTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightNineTenPageKnightQueenKing
Cups AceTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightNineTenPageKnightQueenKing
Swords AceTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightNineTenPageKnightQueenKing
Decks Visconti-Sforza TarotTarot of MarseillesRider-Waite TarotThoth TarotOccult TarotAngel TarotVlad Dracula TarotHieronymus Bosch Tarot