The Sun: Tarot Card Meaning
Card 19 of the Major Arcana, The Sun carries its own distinct traditional symbolism — here's what it represents upright and reversed.
Quick Answer
The Sun is card 19 of the Tarot's Major Arcana. Upright, it traditionally represents upright, the sun represents joy, clarity, and success achieved with genuine confidence. Reversed, it's traditionally read as reversed, the sun is traditionally read as temporarily clouded joy, delayed success, or a need to reconnect with genuine optimism. As with all Tarot cards, its meaning is shaped by its position in the spread and the surrounding cards.
Card Symbolism
The Sun is traditionally depicted as a radiant sun shining over a joyful child figure on horseback, surrounded by sunflowers, symbolizing clarity, joy, and genuine, uncomplicated success.
Upright Meaning
Upright, The Sun represents joy, clarity, and success achieved with genuine confidence. It's traditionally considered one of the most straightforwardly positive cards in the entire deck.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, The Sun is traditionally read as temporarily clouded joy, delayed success, or a need to reconnect with genuine optimism.
A reversed card isn't traditionally read as simply "the opposite" or automatically negative — it's more often read as the same core theme, expressed inwardly, delayed, or blocked, rather than openly.
The Sun in Different Readings
The Sun is often especially relevant to success and joyful clarity readings, though as a Major Arcana card, it can meaningfully appear in a spread on any life theme, always interpreted through its specific position.
Summary: Key Takeaways
- The Sun is card 19 of the Major Arcana.
- Upright and reversed positions traditionally shift its emphasis, not its core theme entirely.
- Its meaning is always read alongside its position and surrounding cards in a spread.
How PalmGuru Reads The Sun
PalmGuru's Tarot feature interprets The Sun according to its traditional Major Arcana symbolism, whether upright or reversed, within the context of your specific spread and question.
This guide reflects traditional interpretations, provided for entertainment and self-reflection purposes only and not as medical, legal, financial, or psychological advice. See our Terms of Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Sun mean upright?
Upright, The Sun represents joy, clarity, and success achieved with genuine confidence. It's traditionally considered one of the most straightforwardly positive cards in the entire deck.
What does The Sun mean reversed?
Reversed, The Sun is traditionally read as temporarily clouded joy, delayed success, or a need to reconnect with genuine optimism.
What number is The Sun in the Major Arcana?
The Sun is card 19 of the 22 Major Arcana cards.
Is The Sun considered a purely positive card?
Yes, it's traditionally regarded as one of the most consistently positive cards, associated with genuine joy, clarity, and success.
What does The Sun traditionally follow in a reading's narrative?
It often appears as clarity and resolution after The Moon's uncertainty, forming a traditional pairing of confusion followed by clear insight.
How does PalmGuru interpret The Sun?
PalmGuru's Tarot feature interprets The Sun according to its traditional symbolism, upright or reversed, within your spread.
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