Symbol Meanings of Tarot L -R
Welcome to the continuation of symbol meanings for the Tarot.
Here you will find Tarot symbols beginning with the letters L – R.
Important Note: The symbols and symbol meanings 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:
The following are symbol meanings of the Tarot beginning with the letters L – R. Click on the images or links to view cards with these symbols as well as card meanings.
Symbol Meaning of Tarot L-R
Lantern
Lantern: The lantern carries with it all the symbol meanings that deal with light – it is the vehicle for intelligence, truth, and illumination. In Hinduism and Buddhism a lamp is a symbol of life. Lamps also serve as a devotional symbol and embody the spirit of virtue, faith and vigilance (lighting a candle in memory, as well as lighting the way through the darkest hour). When the lantern of the Hermit shines brightly to our awareness it is a symbol of clarity coming through and life revealing precious gifts to us.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Lantern Symbol.
Lemniscate (infinity symbol)
Lemniscate: The lemniscate (also known as the infinity symbol) is a geometrical represetation of the endless and eternal nature of energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it simply continues on forever in motion. The symbol meanings of this emblem serve to remind us of the infinite nature of our spirit, as well as our thoughts. When this symbol comes to our attention it may be a message that we should consider the consequences of our thoughts and deeds – the effects of which can be infinite.
Learn more about the lemniscate infinity symbol meaning in the tarot here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Lemniscate Symbol.
Magician / Strength / World / 2 of Pentacles
Lightning
Lightning: Typically the symbol meanings of lightning deal with instant and divine intervention. Lightning is a major message from a higher source, a message for the observer to wake up and pay attention to his/her surroundings. Lightning was viewed as a creative spark to the Native Americans as it signified the winking Thunderbird. Linked with both fire and water, lightning is also viewed as both creator and destroyer in many cultures. When the lightning bolt in the Tower card flashes at you, perhaps it is a message to pay attention to what creative or destructive forces are at work in your life.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Lightning Symbol.
Lilies in the Tarot
Lily: The lily has symbol meanings of purity, innocence and fertility. Also, lily symbolism deals with vulnerability, and the freedom to be ourselves, as well as allowing others to be as they are too. The lily is also a symbolic flower of health and provision. In a reading, the lily can signal growth, development, and a quality of innocence in our lives. Depending on the surrounding cards, the lily may also indicate new relationships and births. See also flower symbol meanings entry.
Get more about the symbolic lily meaning in the tarot here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Lily Symbol.
Magician / Temperance / Ace of Pentacles
Lions
Lion: Signifying one of the four fixed signs of the zodiac, lion symbol meanings deal with strength, courage, royalty, and protection. Much like lightning, the lion is viewed as both savior and destroyer in ancient cultural myth. The lion is a bit of a paradox – while standing as a symbol of spiritual valor it is also a symbol for the beastly needs of the flesh. When the lion roars at us in the cards we are encouraged to consider the level of our courage. Are we seated in faith or flesh? Are we protecting others or ourselves? Are we being strong or just stubborn?
Want more? Check out the full article about the symbolic lion meaning in the tarot here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Lion Symbol.
Strength / Wheel / World / 2 of Cups / Queen of Wands / King of Wands
Lizards in the Tarot
Lizard: With symbol meanings of renewal, vision, enlightenment, and rebirth, the lizard makes its appearance on the male court cards in the suit of rods. The lizard (or salamander in some renditions) suns itself on these cards to signify the importance of vision in the midst of action. In fact, in ancient times (particularly in alchemical lore), it was believed that the lizard renewed its sight by looking into the sun. A symbol of demure perspective in the face of monumental physical force – the lizard is a tiny reminder that big results come from small, conscious efforts.
Get more insights into lizard meaning in the tarot cards here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Lizard Symbol.
Page of Wands / Knight of Wands / King of Wands
Lobster
Lobster: Also depicted as a crab or crayfish in other deck renditions, the lobster symbol meanings deal with cycles, regeneration, and protection. These creatures are lunar symbols; they cast off their shells for new ones, and this is where the rebirth/cycling association plays its part. The protective symbolism is evident in the hard spiny exoskeleton found with these creatures. When the Lobster in the Moon card crawls into our consciousness we’re reminded of the cyclical nature in our lives and what protection we may need for the path on which we embark (see also the symbol meanings entry for “path”).
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Lobster Symbol.
Moon
Moon: The moon symbol meanings deal with cycles, time, psychic power, reflection, and emerging from one phase into another. Consider the power of the moon – able to influence oceans, and affect the realm of nature in strong subtle ways. Also a symbol of femininity, the moon is a sign of the softer, intuitive side of all of us. When the moon lights up on our readings, it is prompting to consider our level of awareness. The moon asks us if we listening to our intuition and what are we allowing to influence our direction in life.
See also my blog post on Moon Signs in the Tarot here.
And if you want more information about the symbolic moon meaning in the tarot, click here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Moon Symbol.
Priestess / Chariot / Moon / Page of Swords / 8 of Cups / 2 of Swords
Mountains
Mountains: Seen on many of the cards, mountain symbol meanings deal with triumph, challenge, attainment, and realization. Mountains also represent timelessness and an endurance that is infinite. When those mountains peak out of the cards into our attention, we may consider the vastness of our universe, and contemplate our place within it. We may also want to consider the heights to which we are climbing, and what the realization of our goals may mean for us and those around us.
Climb higher! Check out this in-site article that explains more about the meaning of mountains in the tarot here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Mountains Symbol.
Emperor / Lovers / Strength / Judgment / Fool / Page of Pentacles / Queen of Pentacles / 8 of Swords / 10 of Swords / 8 of Cups / Knight of Cups / Ace of Rods / 2 of Wands / 3 of Wands / 7 of Wands / Page of Wands / Knight of Wands
Oceans
Ocean: Ocean symbol meanings deal with infinite possibilities. Consider the ocean, and you will be considering the essence of vastness, mystery, and depth. It seems inexhaustible and the holder of wondrous things unseen. When the oceans in the cards crash their waves against our consciousness, it is time to pay homage to the great divine – meaning we should recognize the burgeoning power around us, the animating force that runs through us – the expansive and expressive nature of the universe. In other words, we must acknowledge that there may be other (higher) powers at work in our lives and it may be time to release our control in order to allow these powers to open up incredible opportunities to us.
Swim around in the tarot longer – the water is just fine – especially if you check out this guide to the meaning of oceans in tarot cards and readings here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Ocean Symbol.
2 of Pentacles / 5 of Swords / 6 of Swords / 10 of Swords / Page of Cups / Queen of Cups / King of Cups / 2 of Wands / 3 of Wands
Paths in the Tarot
Path: As you may imagine, path symbol meanings deal with direction as well as the path we choose to travel in any phase of our life (family, career, love, spirituality, etc.). Paths remind us that journeys of a lifetime begin with one small step. Paths in our reading are indicative of beginnings, endings, and the steps we take in-between that create the life we are living. When paths wind their way in our readings, we must consider these things, and question the intention and sincerity of the steps we are taking upon each of our paths. We must also re-evaluate the commitments we’ve made to our life path.
Meander down more meaning of paths in the tarot with this in-depth article about the subject here.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Path Symbol.
Temperance / Moon / Ace of Pentacles
Pillars (columns)
Pillars: Pillar symbol meanings are all about balance. Typically, the focal point of the card is planted staunchly betwixt two towering pillars – this is a visual indication that the figurehead of this card has chosen middle-ground. When the pillars tower over our readings, it is time to consider matters of diplomacy, balance, tact, and strategy. It is a sign that going between may be more advantageous than taking the proverbial high road or the low road. Rather than seeing things as left or right, black or white, perhaps we can consider a middle road – a third option with a new and different perspective.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Pillar Symbol.
Priestess / Hierophant / Justice / Moon / 3 of Pentacles
Pitcher
Pitcher: The pitcher is a vessel, and as such, we are keenly interested in the contents. As a vessel, the pitcher symbol meanings deal with what we are holding in our lives…what does our heart hold? Our minds? Even our bodies? Depicted in the Star card, we see the clean, clear waters pouring forth – a sign that we must be pure vessels in order to expand, express, and put forth purity. When the pitcher makes itself prominent in your readings, grab it by the handle, and begin to contemplate what kind of vessel you are – what are you holding, and are the contents coming out of you as pure as they can be?
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have a Pitcher Symbol.
Plowed Fields
Plowed Fields: “As we sew, so shall we reap.” This is the prime symbol meaning behind the plowed fields we see in the cards. When these fields come in contact with our intuition in a reading, we should be mindful that what we do and how we do it is pivotal to our harvest. If we’re lazy and sloppy (rushing through as the Knight of Pentacles is want to do) with planting our seeds we will be disappointed with the results. However, if we invest the time to plant, nurture, and grow our rows, we will be rewarded with abundance. Plowed fields are also a symbol of time – it takes time to reap our rewards, we must allow for germination, and patience is required as we wait it out for the results we are expecting from our labors.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Plowed Fields Symbol.
Page of Pentacles / Knight of Pentacles / 10 of Wands
Pomegranate
Pomegranates: Pomegranate symbol meanings deal with abundance, fertility, lusciousness, generosity, and union. Used in many cultures as a symbol of marriage, fertility, and love, the pomegranate with its leathery outer skin and its juicy, sweet interior is a symbol of encompassing bliss, reminiscent of passion and luxury. It is also a strongly feminine symbol and is associated with female sexuality. When visions of pomegranates dance in our heads during a reading it is time to consider the power of our divine feminine side. The pomegranate is also a message for us to tap into the luxurious side of life – recognize the richness, abundance, and wonder that surrounds us at every turn. It is also a sign of union with the divine as well as union with others.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Pomegranates Symbol.
Rabbit
Rabbit: Reflexive, tentative, and fast, rabbits symbol meanings deal with decisive action tempered with good judgment. Rabbits are close to the earth and therefore are very grounding symbols. As social creatures, rabbits also remind us of the importance of friends and family. When the rabbit in the Queen of Pentacles card hops into our awareness it is a good time to consider look before we leap and exercise good judgment as the Queen does. Also, it is a good sign to gather friends and family about us – get in touch with our grounding roots.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Rabbit Symbol.
Rain
Rain: Traditionally, rain has held symbol meanings of cleansing as well as fecundity (ancient cultures honored the rain for its ability to provide life to crops). In the case of the three of swords, we can take this symbol meaning as one of clearing, and washing away the old in order to accept the new. The imagery of card is oppressive, as it should be for all its indications – when we see the rain falling in this card it is a reminder that rain washes away the dirt, storms DO pass, and we are left with more fertile soil for planting (figuratively speaking) at the end of the storm.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Rain Symbol.
Ram
Ram: Featured prominently in most decks, the head of the ram has symbol meanings of determination, action, initiative, and leadership. The ram is also a symbol of Aries, which is the astral ruler of the Emperor. Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac, further reinforcing attributes of leadership, authority, and other forefather-type characteristics. When the ram butts our attention, it is a sign to take responsibility, get up, take action, and get motivated to accomplish our goals.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have an Ram Symbol.
Rope
Ropes: As we would guess, rope symbol meanings deal with binding, confinement or restriction. When we think of ropes, we often think of knots, and being all tied up in them. In the case of the Hanged Man however, the rope is a utility – it serves as a necessity in order to pull away from our internal knots. When we are tied up, we are forced into a state of non-action and this is precisely the answer to our problems. The more we struggle with the ties that bind, often the tighter they become.
Click the links below to go to each of the Tarot card meanings that have Rope Symbol.
Rose in the Tarot
Rose: A long-standing symbol of purity, promise, and beauty. The rose symbol meanings deal with the promise of new beginnings and hope. We must also take the thorns into consideration – with the promise of new hope, we may have to endure a few stinging thorns (painful ordeals) along the way. Overall, the rose is a poignant symbol of the beauty that is ready to unfold within each of our hearts and a reminder that we must take the opportunity to savor the beauty around us. Click here for more about Tarot Rose Symbolism.
Follow the links below to see cards holding the Rose symbol.
Fool /Magician / Strength / Death / 2 of Wands
This concludes the symbol meanings for symbols beginning with the letter L through R. Please continue your journey through the symbol meanings by visiting my other symbol pages below referenced.
For other Tarot symbol meanings pages on this site, simply follow these links:
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I love your break down of symbols but the link to s-z isn’t working 🤷🏻♀️
Hello there. Thanks so much for letting me know the Tarot symbols s-z link was not working. I fixed it, and now it is working just fine. Here is the link if you’d like to have a look at this section: https://www.tarotteachings.com/symbols-meanings-of-tarot-s-z.html
Thanks again for your help!
~Avia