The Symbolism in the Tarot of Marseille

Author : Corinne RICHARD

Website : https://www.frenchmysticgateway.com

The symbolism in the Tarot of Marseille is rich and profound, carrying centuries of

esoteric and mystical tradition. Each tarot card, whether from the major or minor

arcana, is infused with universal symbols that convey spiritual, psychological, and

philosophical messages. Understanding these symbols allows one to go beyond the

images and access a more subtle and intuitive dimension of tarot practice.

1. The Major Arcana : A Spiritual Journey

The major arcana of the Tarot of Marseille are the most symbolic cards, representing

an initiatory path. Each of the 22 major cards is a universal archetype that embodies

key stages in personal and spiritual evolution.

The Fool (Le Mat) : He represents the traveler, the adventurer who moves forward

fearlessly, symbolizing the start of a new cycle. His staff and bundle represent past

experiences that he carries lightly, while the dog at his side can be seen as a guide

or protective force.

The Death card (L’Arcane Sans Nom) : This card, often misunderstood, symbolizes

not death but transformation. The skeletal figure reaps the earth, representing the

end of one cycle and the beginning of another, a necessary passage for rebirth.

The Magician (Le Bateleur) : He is the initiate, symbolizing new beginnings. His tools

on the table represent infinite potential, and his open posture shows that he is ready

to embark on the path of discovery.

2. The Minor Arcana : The Forces of Daily Life

The minor arcana of the Tarot of Marseille are divided into four suits: Cups, Swords,

Pentacles, and Wands. Each suit corresponds to an element (water, air, earth, fire)

and a specific dimension of life.

Cups (Water) : Associated with emotions, the unconscious, and human relationships.

The cup itself is a symbol of receptivity, openness to spiritual energy.

Swords (Air): They symbolize the mind, thought, and communication. The sword is a

sharp tool, capable of discernment, but it can also wound, indicating the duality of the

intellect.

Pentacles (Earth): Linked to materiality, work, and prosperity. The pentacle, round

and solid, is a symbol of abundance but also grounding in the physical world.

Wands (Fire): They represent creative energy, willpower, and action. The upright

wand symbolizes power, a link between the earth and the heavens.

3. The Symbolism of Colors

Colors in the Tarot of Marseille are essential to understanding the depth of the

symbols.

For example, blue is often associated with spirituality, wisdom, and intuition, while red

embodies energy, passion, and materiality. Yellow symbolizes light, intellectual

enlightenment, while green, though rarer, evokes healing and growth.

4. Numbers: A Universal Language

Numbers play a major role in tarot.

Each card is associated with a number that carries its own significance.

For example:

1 (The Magician) : A symbol of beginning, unity.

2 (The High Priestess) : Duality, introspection.

3 (The Empress) : Creativity, fertility.

These numbers add another layer of meaning to each card, connecting visual

symbols to a numerological dimension.

Symbol Dictionary : The Symbolism in the Tarot of Marseille

The Tarot of Marseille is full of fascinating symbols that, through their shapes, colors,

and meanings, enrich the interpretation of the cards. Here is a glimpse of some

powerful symbols and their meanings.

The Eagle:

A symbol of power, spirit, and clairvoyance, the eagle is also seen as a messenger.

However, it can represent pride when misinterpreted.

Wings:

Present on certain cards, wings vary in size and color. The magnificent flesh-colored

wings of Temperance and Judgment symbolize spiritual elevation, while the small

blue wings of the cherub in The Lovers or the bat wings on The Devil evoke different

degrees of spiritual progress. The smaller the wings, the longer the spiritual ascent.

The Bow and Arrows: These symbols embody the action necessary to open the

mind, indicating a movement towards knowledge or a spiritual quest.

The Shield : A tool of protection, the shield symbolizes a passive yet essential

weapon to defend against negative energies or influences.

The Horse : It represents the mount, the vehicle of action, and symbolizes vigor and

vital momentum.

The Shoes : Shoes convey social affirmation and the direction taken in life. They

also symbolize grounding in materiality.

The Hair :

In the Tarot of Marseille, hair often appears varied: blond, blue, white, curly, or tied

up. Loose and long hair suggests vitality and seduction, while well-groomed hair

indicates self-control. Curly hair can represent budding spirituality, and hidden hair

denotes secrecy or humility.

The Raven :

A mediator between worlds, the raven is a spiritual guide and a prophet.

The Number 2 :

This number is associated with fate and chance, highlighting the forces at work in the

balance of life.

The Horns :

Symbols of elevated power, virility, and clairvoyance.

The Sword :

The sword represents courage and strength, but also justice and speech. It cuts

through and brings truth to light.

Plants and Flowers :

They symbolize rebirth, hope, and the blossoming of a new reality.

The Crown :

On royal heads, the crown represents sovereignty, power, and spiritual

accomplishment.

The Book:

Held by the High Priestess, it symbolizes hidden knowledge or spiritual teaching.

The Star :

Featured in The Star card, it is a symbol of hope and spiritual guidance. It is a light in

times of doubt, evoking an awakened consciousness.

The Twins (in The Sun card):

They symbolize balance between the material and the spiritual.

The Lantern :

It represents knowledge, intelligence, enlightened ideas, and transmission, much like

a guide lighting the way.

The Lion :

Appearing in The World and Strength cards, the lion embodies power, wisdom, and

confidence. When reversed, it represents uncontrolled force.

The Wall :

A symbol of protection and solidity. When reversed, it evokes a boundary or isolation.

Nudity :

It conveys truth, purity, and humility.

When the card is reversed, it may symbolize stripping away ego or abandonment.

The Ear :

In the Hanged Man card, the ear is visible, symbolizing passive communication and

receptivity.

The Feet :

They are linked to grounding. When positioned at a right angle, they symbolize

stability. Bare feet express humility, and their orientation (towards the past or future)

indicates the direction the person wishes to take.

The Small Blue, White, and Red Balloons :

They represent joy, elevation, and purity. They evoke a playful energy, a call to

liberate oneself and believe that anything is possible.

The Gaze :

Looking to the left indicates the past, while a gaze to the right is focused on the

future. A straight gaze indicates the present moment.

The Wheel :

A symbol of the cycle of life and renewal. When reversed, it indicates a loss or a

blockage in evolution.

The Scepter :

It symbolizes power over the material and spiritual world, embodying authority and

wisdom.

ear

The Tomb (in the Judgment card) :

It represents a passage, a release, or spiritual elevation. When reversed, it reflects a

refusal to accept fate and the need for a pause.

The Trumpet :

Symbolizes the breath of life, an announcement of change, and sometimes divine

music.

The Hilly Ground :

It reflects the instability of ideas, an uncertain terrain for thought.

The Tower :

It evokes elevation, but also pride and isolation, like an ivory tower.

The symbols in the Tarot of Marseille play a fundamental role in understanding the

messages each card conveys. They are not merely visual ornaments, but essential

elements that enable a subtle communication between the different cards. In fact, the

cards speak to each other through their symbols, forming a complex dialogue that

illuminates the deeper aspects of the querent’s situation. The interpretation of

symbols, depending on their position, orientation, and relation to the surrounding

cards, allows for decoding hidden messages and gaining a clearer understanding of

the path to follow.

Each card, on its own, has a strong symbolism, but it is within the dynamic of the

spread that their true power is revealed.

Take, for example, the Emperor. Upright, his gaze is directed towards what he has

accomplished, his past achievements. His attitude reflects stability, mastery, and the

materialization of goals. However, when reversed, it becomes crucial to analyze not

only where his gaze is fixed, but also the next card. This helps identify in which area

destiny might be blocking the querent’s progress. Here, the symbol is both what the

Emperor is looking at and the card that follows. With the Pope, the question of action

becomes essential. What is he blessing? Once again, the following card answers this

question, symbolizing the mission or right action that the querent must undertake.

This interaction between the cards highlights how the symbols respond to and

interact with each other. Similarly, with Justice, the symbols of the scales and the

sword respectively represent the balance to be found in the present and the need to

let go of a burden from the past. The preceding card in the spread then becomes a

clue to understand the issue that needs to be resolved in order to move forward.

Here, the sword and scales are not just objects but keys to personal liberation. The

Wheel of Fortune, when reversed, emphasizes this idea of a dialogue between the

cards. The crank on the left side of the card, towards the past, indicates that

something old is blocking the present situation. It is then the previous card that will

reveal the nature of this blockage, proving that each symbol draws its full meaning

from its interaction with others. Another striking example is Death. The importance of

the scythe symbol lies in what it cuts, which is represented by the next card. What

Death sweeps away is no longer needed, and the following card symbolizes what the

querent must leave behind to move forward. In some cases, this transition may even

be linked to love, especially if the King of Cups appears, indicating that the querent’s

actions are motivated by romantic feelings.

Finally, with the Tower, the red and gold plume, along with the opening of the tower’s

crown, are symbols heralding significant changes. The next card then becomes a

kind of forecast, indicating the area of life where this upheaval will manifest.

These examples show that the tarot functions as a living symbolic language, where

every detail matters and where the cards enrich each other through their symbols. By

learning to read these interactions, the querent gains a deeper and more enlightened

understanding of the spiritual or practical messages the tarot seeks to deliver.

Conclusion

The symbolism of the Tarot of Marseille is vast and complex. Each element, be it

graphical, chromatic, or numerological, contributes to the depth of the card readings.

The tarot is not limited to predictions; it is a mirror of the soul, a tool for personal and

spiritual development. For the practitioner, delving into the study of symbols allows

for a better understanding of the messages the tarot reveals, whether they come from

the subconscious or the spiritual forces that surround us.

This journey through the tarot and its symbols is an invitation to better understand

life, to become more aware of the energies that influence us, and to find a balance

between the visible and invisible worlds.