This blog post contains affiliate links. Visit the full disclosure to know more.
Category: Major Arcana
The Hanged Man tarot card – positioned as the twelfth card in the Major Arcana – presents a profound exploration of surrender, reflection, and transformative perspective. This card represents a departure from the ordinary, inviting individuals to pause, reflect, and navigate life’s challenges with a fresh mindset.
The Hanged Man: Description
Within the intricate tapestry of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, the Hanged Man emerges as an evocative embodiment of profound symbolism and contemplation. This captivating figure gracefully hangs upside-down from a T-shaped cross crafted from living wood. The pose forms an inverted V-shape with crossed legs, conveying a delicate equilibrium in the face of the unconventional. The deliberate crossing of one leg over the other is not merely a physical stance but a symbolic gesture, inviting a unique perspective on life’s challenges.
The Hanged Man’s arms are bent, hands held behind his back to form an inverted triangle, an intricate posture that suggests both surrender and intentional sacrifice. Dressed in a blue vest symbolizing wisdom, the Hanged Man embodies intellectual depth. His red pants, representing human passion and the physical body, add an earthly vitality to the harmonious fusion. This fusion is mirrored in the very tree from which he hangs – a living connection between the underworld and the heavens, firmly rooted in both realms. Anyways, we delve into these colors’ symbolism later in the article, in the key symbol-dedicated paragraph.
This sacred tree, firmly planted in the underworld, is believed to bear the weight of the heavens, emphasizing the Hanged Man’s role as a mediator between realms. The halo encircling his head serves as a radiant symbol, representing divine enlightenment and spiritual awakening. As the suspended figure embraces vulnerability and willingly enters a state of pause and introspection, the halo shines with an ethereal glow, symbolizing the transcendent wisdom gained through this unique perspective.
The Hanged Man, suspended in both time and space, prompts us to reflect on our lives, urging a shift in perspective that fosters personal growth and enlightenment.
The Hanged Man: Keywords
UPRIGHT: Surrender – Suspension – Sacrifice – New perspective – Contemplation – Release – Enlightenment – Wisdom – Self–reflection – Pause – Letting go – Perspective shift
REVERSED: Resistance – Stagnation – Stubbornness – Avoidance – Unwillingness to change – Delay – Lack of insight – Narrow perspective – Fear of letting go – Rigidity – Missed opportunities – Frustration
The Hanged Man: Meaning
The Hanged Man serves as a powerful archetype, encapsulating profound concepts and inviting introspection. Delve into the nuanced meanings of this intriguing card, exploring its messages in both upright and reversed positions.
Upright Meaning
When drawn upright, the Hanged Man heralds a call to surrender, not as a sign of weakness but as a pathway to enlightenment. This card suggests a willingness to release control, pause, and view situations from a fresh perspective. It encourages contemplation, inviting individuals to let go of preconceived notions and old mental models in order to embrace a unique vantage point.
The card signifies a moment of voluntary sacrifice, symbolizing personal growth, wisdom gained through surrender, and a transformative shift in awareness. This upright position invites to welcome the ebb and flow of life, finding strength in vulnerability and discovering hidden insights through a suspended state of introspection.
The Hanged Man may suggest a sense of being confined or stagnant in one’s life. Exploring what keeps a person in this state involves identifying the barriers hindering progress. The card encourages surrender and release. Rather than fixating on specific outcomes or resisting the present situation, embracing acceptance allows for moving harmoniously with the natural flow of life.
Embrace vulnerability, release control, and move with the flow.
Reversed Meaning
In the reversed position, the Hanged Man takes on a different tone, urging caution against resistance and stagnation. When this card appears upside-down, it may suggest a reluctance to let go or an avoidance of necessary changes.
The Hanged Man reversed warns against stubbornness, emphasizing the potential for missed opportunities when one clings rigidly to the status quo. It signifies a lack of insight and a narrow perspective, hindering personal growth. Reversed, the Hanged Man may indicate delays, frustrations, and an unwillingness to confront necessary transformations. This position encourages a reassessment of attitudes and a willingness to release resistance, fostering a more open and adaptive approach to life’s challenges.
Resist stagnation, avoid missed opportunities, and foster adaptability.
The Hanged Man: Love meaning
In matters of love, the Hanged Man takes on a unique significance for individuals navigating the complex terrain of relationships. When the Hanged Man appears in a love reading, it suggests that the person may be experiencing a period of introspection and a reevaluation of their romantic circumstances. It signifies a time when surrendering to the natural ebb and flow of emotions becomes crucial.
The Hanged Man prompts those seeking love to release any preconceived notions, allowing for a fresh perspective on relationships. It encourages a willingness to let go of control and embrace vulnerability, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s partner. The card signifies that, in the realm of love, a transformative shift in awareness may be on the horizon, leading to a more profound and enlightened connection.
The Hanged Man: Key symbols
Before embarking on a journey through the rich symbolism of the Hanged Man in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, let’s explore some elements analyzed by Jodorowsky in the bestselling “The Way of Tarot”. It’s definitely a must-have book – here’s the link to purchase “The Way of Tarot” on Amazon – because it explains, card after card, every detail and hidden symbolism. But not only: it also establishes connections among different cards.
For instance, Jodorowsky notes how The Hanged Man is connected to The High Priestess. Similar to her, it indicates a state of accumulation, pause, or seclusion. Like her, it distances itself from the human world to delve into the unconscious.
The position of the legs somewhat resembles that of The Emperor – one straight and the other bent. However, there’s a significant difference: the Emperor’s legs intersect dynamically, with one leg forward and ready to take action. In contrast, the Hanged Man bends one leg behind the other to remain perfectly still. Similarly, his hands, linked to the ability to act, are crossed behind his back – he does not do, he does not choose.
Jodorowsky also emphasizes that in this card, we observe the inversion of the physical body, representing a reversal of perspective: intellect is abolished, the mind ceases to work, and the mind becomes receptive. Additionally, it’s interesting to note that the upside-down position resembles the position of a fetus in the mother’s womb.
To delve deeper into Marseille cards and Jodorowsky’s perspective, the book is highly recommended. But for now, let’s explore the hidden meanings behind its key symbols in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck – and if you don’t have this deck yet, you can get it here.
The T-shaped Cross
In the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, a central symbol of the Hanged Man is the T-shaped cross, crafted from living wood.
The T-shaped cross becomes more than a mere symbol; it serves as a conduit, emphasizing the connection between the physical and spiritual realms. It signifies a bridge between the tangible, earthly existence and the intangible, spiritual dimensions. The living wood, chosen deliberately for this construction, implies a resonance with life force, suggesting that the sacrifice depicted is not one of stagnation or depletion but a dynamic offering that taps into the essence of vitality.
The Inverted Triangle Hands
The Hanged Man’s arms are bent, with hands held behind his back, forming an inverted triangle. This symbolic gesture adds complexity to the card, signifying both surrender and intentional sacrifice. The inverted triangle becomes a visual representation of the transformative power found in releasing control and embracing vulnerability.
But that’s not all. As we’ve seen before, Jodorowsky also states that the hands in this position represent the fact that he is not choosing; he is just staying in that position – he does not act, he does not choose.
Blue Vest and Red Pants
The attire of the Hanged Man, specifically the combination of a blue vest and red pants, is a deliberate choice laden with symbolic significance within the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. The blue vest, a hue often associated with wisdom, serves as a visual representation of intellectual depth. It suggests a profound connection to the realm of thought, insight, and contemplation. The choice of blue symbolizes the wisdom that comes from a suspended state, emphasizing the importance of mental clarity and reflection.
On the other hand, the red pants carry a different resonance, representing human passion and the physical body. Red, a color often associated with vitality, energy, and the intensity of human emotions, encapsulates the earthly aspects of existence. The red pants symbolize the dynamism and life force within the physical realm, connecting the Hanged Man to the tangible experiences of human existence.
The juxtaposition of the blue vest and red pants creates a harmonious fusion, offering a powerful metaphor for the interconnectedness of the mind and body. This fusion implies that, in the suspended state represented by the Hanged Man, a delicate balance between intellectual depth and earthly vitality is required.
The integration of wisdom (blue) and passion (red) suggests that navigating this state involves harmonizing the mental and physical aspects of one’s being.
The Halo
A subtle yet potent symbol in The Hanged Man card is the halo encircling his head. This radiant circle represents divine enlightenment and spiritual awakening. As the figure willingly enters a state of pause and introspection, the halo signifies the transcendent wisdom gained through this unique perspective, connecting the earthly and the divine.
The Hanged Man: Does it mean Yes or No in a tarot reading?
While some interpretations may suggest that the Hanged Man in single card readings provides concise answers based on its orientation – affirmative in the upright position and negative in the reversed position – the reality is more complex.
Tarot, by its nature, doesn’t offer straightforward answers. The future cannot be predicted with certainty, but our actions and choices can significantly influence it. The true power of Tarot lies in the awareness of our capacity to make choices and actively shape our lives.
In the context of yes or no tarot readings, it’s crucial to recognize that The Hanged Man, like other cards, serves as a guide rather than a definitive oracle. Its message goes beyond a simple “Yes” or “No”, inviting individuals to delve deeper into the complexities of their situations. Each reading is an opportunity for self-reflection and insight, offering a nuanced understanding of the factors at play.
For a comprehensive exploration of the accuracy of yes or no tarot readings, consider delving into our article titled Is Yes and No Tarot Reading Accurate? Unveiling the Truth. This piece delves into the intricacies of interpreting Tarot in the context of yes or no questions, providing valuable insights into the dynamic and nuanced nature of divination.
