Symbol Meanings of Tarot D-K
Welcome to the continuation of symbol meanings for the Tarot. Here you will find Tarot symbols beginning with the letters D – K.
Important Note: The symbols selected for the creation of these pages were taken from the traditional Rider-Waite Tarot deck (permission notice listed on home page). Other deck renditions (such as the Morgan-Greer which is used to depict the card meanings on this website) may not display the same symbols as the Rider-Waite. For example, the Angel symbol is shown on the Rider-Waite “Wheel” card, but is not shown on the Morgan-Greer rendition.
Table of Contents
Other Tarot symbol meanings pages on this site:
Common Tarot Symbols D-K
The following are symbol meanings of the Tarot beginning with the letters D – K. Click on the images or links to view cards with these symbols as well as card meanings.
Dog
Dog: Man (and woman’s) best friend – symbol meanings of the dog deals with fidelity, honesty, loyalty, and truth. When the dog symbol pops out at us, we might aks ourselves one of the following questions: 1) Where are our loyalties? 2) In what are we putting our faith? 3) Are being true to ourselves? The dog in our cards is also a good indication that we’re on the right track as they are symbolic of stability and righteousness.
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Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Dog Symbol.
Moon / Fool / 10 of Pentacles
Dove
Dove: The dove is a common spiritual icon with symbol meanings indicating hope, purity, aspiration, and ascension. In Greco-Roman mythology, the dove is a sacred creature to Aphrodite/Venus, and therefore is a powerful symbol of love. Featured on the ace of cups, it is a promising symbol. Note the dove (in the Rider-Waite version) is pointing down – this is a message: “whatever goes up, must come down.” In other words, fly high, but ground yourself first. Also see the Tarot symbol meanings for birds entry.
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Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Dove Symbol.
Falcon
Falcon: Throughout culture and myth the falcon symbol meanings have pertained to higher vision, superiority, and rising above the mundane. A common sun symbol among many cultures, the falcon also symbolizes potency, vibrancy and power. When Falcon catches our attention on the nine of pentacles, we are prompted to consider if we are living our lives in-line with our vision. Are we living at our highest potential? The falcon asks us to fly high and blaze the sky with our own brilliance.
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Also see the Tarot symbol meanings for birds entry.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Falcon Symbol.
Fire
Fire: Fire is a symbol of both creative and destructive power. Among its many cultural symbol meanings are: energy, transformation, passion, ambition, inspiration and power. In many faiths fire is a symbol representing a test of faith or the measure of one’s purity. This very well may be the case in the two cards fire is featured in (Devil & Tower).
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Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Fire Symbol.
Fish
Fish: It is no coincidence that the fish is featured on all the cups court cards because fish symbol meanings deal with emotion, intuition and creativity. When considering the fish symbol meaning, we must first recognize the nature of the water in which it lives: in motion, unpredictable, and representative of the subconscious (see Water symbol meanings). The fish is a symbol of prolific abundance if we have the wherewithal to harness our own passion responsibly.
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Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings with a Fish Symbol.
Page of Cups / Knight of Cups / Queen of Cups / King of Cups
Flag
Flag: When we consider the cards on which the flag is featured (Death, Sun & Judgment) we get a good concept of its symbol meanings. The flag is an announcement to change – something has shifted and a flag makes the world aware of this shift. It is a bright, bold obvious sign that a new day is dawning. This is not about subtle shifts – the flag is about “in-your-face” transformation; an event to announce to all who will hear.
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Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Flag Symbol.
Flowers
Flowers: As we would guess, flowers possess symbol meanings of joy, beauty, growth, sensitivity and unfolding. They are predominant features on the six of cups and four of rods, but they are seen sprinkled throughout many deck renditions (see also the Sunflower symbol meanings entry). Flowers are all about opening up and receiving the light of love, joy and compassion into our lives. They remind us of the better things in life, the good times, the sweet smell of success, and the beauty that surrounds us if only we open up to its presence.
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Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Flower Symbol.
Globe
Globes: Often depicted as the world, globes possess symbol meanings of totality – both cosmic and physical. When the globe catches our attention on a card, it is an indication that achievement is imminent; we have the whole world “at our fingertips.” It is also a symbol of comprehension, getting the idea – or grasping the “bigger picture.” The globe is also a geometric aspect of the circle which deals with infinity, completion, cycles, and again – totality.
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Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Globe Symbol.
Grapevines and Grapes
Grapes/Grapevines: Symbol meanings of grapes and grapevines deal with fertility, abundance, transformation and blessing. Considered the fruit of the earth in both pagan and Christian circles, the grape is rich in symbolism. Bunches of grapes have long been depicted in funerary art and are symbols of redemption. Grapes and grapevines are also found in Greco-Roman art as symbols of hospitality, bounty and symbolic of youthfulness. All of these attributes come into play when we see these power-packed fruits in the cards.
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Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings with a Grapevine Symbol.
7 of Pentacles / 9 of Pentacles / 10 of Pentacles / King of Pentacles / 3 of Cups / 4 of Wands
Hammer
Hammer: A hammer, or the act of hammering is a sign of getting the point across, or getting the job done. The hammer is also a symbol of force, action, masculinity, and creativity. Typically drawn in matters of vocation, when the hammer catches our eye in a reading it may indicate that we need to get the job done and done well. It may also mean we need to hammer out the details relating to work or a project.
Click the learn more about hammer symbolism in the tarot here.
Cards featuring the hammer:
3 of Pentacles / 8 of Pentacles
Hand
Hand: Power, domination, protection these are primary symbol meanings relating to the hand. Hands are historically seen as points of transmission, meaning we give and receive from hands (energetically and physically). It’s no accident that the powerful ace cards are all depicted with a hand holding the suit symbol. This is a clear message of force and power relating to the indicated suit. It is also a reminder that we are able to both give and receive those attributes pertaining to the referring suit.
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Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Hand Symbol.
Ace of Pentacles / Ace of Rods / Ace of Swords / Ace of Cups
Heart
Heart: As one would assume, the heart has long been as symbol of love, joy, and affection. The heart is also a symbol of truth, courage and conscience. The symbolic heart is the center of existence – physically speaking it pumps out life to the rest of the body. When we note the heart in our readings we must be mindful of our own center, and what is at the center of our focus. We may also ask what we love most – that which is positive or negative.
Want to know more? Get insights into the heart symbol meaning in tarot cards here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings with a Heart Symbol.
Hoe
Hoe: Yes, this is a tool, and as such its symbolism deals with work, resourcefulness, accomplishment. But the hoe is also a message telling us we can make our way easier by using the resources (tools) that are available to us. The hoe is also connected to the old adage “what we sew so shall we reap.” When the hoe pops out at us in the cards (7 of pentacles) we might do well to consider what kind of sewing we are doing and how we are utilizing our resources (are we doing things the hard way, or should we recruit some help).
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Hoe Symbol.
Horn
Horn: Much like the flag symbol meanings, the horn is also a symbol of announcement, only more forceful. Horns symbolize a joyous, boisterous, victorious, triumphant announcement. They signal all within ear-shot that something has happened or is about to happen soon. Horns announce both victory and oncoming attack – keep this in mind when the horn comes to your attention on the Judgment card.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Horn Symbol.
Horse
Horse: Featured on all the knight cards of the Tarot, the horse symbol meanings deal with strength, motion, action, and vitality. Linked in many ancient traditions with the four elements (fire, water, earth, air) the horse is also a strong spiritual symbol and an emblem of incorporating all the elements to maintain an equal, powerful balance with all things in the universe. This is evident in the “either/or” nature of the knights. In a more mundane sense, the horse is pre-dispositioned to have a charging nature. In a reading, this gives us pause to consider where we are charging to and why.
Get galloping in your tarot readings by learning more about horse meaning in the tarot here.
Click the links below to go to each Tarot card meaning with the horse featured.
Death / Sun / Knight of Pentacles / Knight of Swords / Knight of Cups / Knight of Wands / 6 of Wands
House
House: In houses we live, die, play, cry, grow, hide, dream, the list goes on. As such, they are symbols of our deepest secrets and the tenderest parts of our hearts. House symbol meanings also deal with protection and the value that we feel we must guard against theft. When houses jump up to our vision in a reading it may be a sign that our security is threatened, or it may convey the opposite, and we should not be concerned with safety and we are already protected.
Learn more about seeing houses in tarot card readings here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings with a House Symbol.
2 of Cups / 6 of Cups / 10 of Cups / 2 of Wands / 8 of Wands / 10 of Wands
Ice
Ice: Ice symbol meanings deal with isolation, patience, waiting, distance, and objection. Ice is used in the Tarot to convey a feeling of separation. It is also used to portray a time of deep contemplation or a process of growth that is not perceived until much later (cycle of season) for example, spring is only evident after the thaw.
Melting for more? Check out the full article on interpreting ice imagery in the tarot here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Ice Symbol.
Fool / Hermit / Tower / Judgment /
Key
Keys: Keys unlock things, and as such, they represent knowledge, intellect, and uncovering things that are hidden from us. The keys of the Hierophant card symbolize the keys to spiritual knowledge and wisdom. The ancient Greeks depicted keys as symbols for knowledge and life. When these keys catch our attention we may need to ask if we are locking up our potential, or if we feel something is being locked away from us.
Click here to learn more about the key meaning in the tarot here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Key Symbol.
This concludes symbol meanings of the Tarot beginning with the letters D – K.
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