Tarot symbols are the basic elements of divination through the use of tarot cards. The conscious easily recognizes alphanumeric characters but the subconscious only recognizes symbols. The symbols combine to help the diviner interpret the hidden answers to the question of the seeker. The symbols used on tarot cards are usually based on the images found on the Rider-Waite tarot card deck. A variety of card decks with different images is available. This is because tarot cards throw up meanings through images to which a seeker can relate. Divination through tarot cards is not only image based. Tarot cards have numbers and colors, which also symbolize hidden meanings.



The mention of tarot card prediction immediately brings to mind images. The images that are found on tarot cards are important tarot symbols that unlock the mystery of the problems of the seeker. The tarot card deck consists of fifty-six minor Arcana cards. The images on the minor Arcana cards deal with everyday problems and symbolize their relationship with the seekers problems. There are four suites, cups, pentacles, swords and wands. Each suite has four court cards with images of kings, queens, knights and pages and ten pips. The four suits have their own hidden meanings. Wands symbolize desires, cups symbolize emotions, swords symbolize intellectual pursuits and pentacles symbolize finances. The twenty-two cards that make up the Major Arcana have greater symbolic value and used by diviners to deal with deeper emotions, higher thoughts and long-term goals.

Tarot symbols are not merely found in imagery. Tarot cards are colorful cards and each color tells its own story. The combination of colors also helps a diviner find the meaning and purpose of the question asked by the seeker. Different colors have different meanings. The color white symbolizes healing and purity, the color black indicates obscurity, the color browns reveals practicality, the color pink depicts love, the color red is a symbol of the heart, the color green is the color of healing, the color orange shows vitality and its kindred hue yellow symbolizes zest. The color blue is the image of the open sky and the color purple reflects the soul. The diviner concentrates on the image and combines it with the meaning of the color to arrive at a conclusion.

The numbers on tarot cards are also tarot symbols and reveal hidden meanings to diviners. Tarot card numbers are listed from one to ten and each has a symbol. 0 symbolizes potential, the number 1 depicts loneliness, 2 companionship and love, 3 the triad, 4 material realities, 5 depicts the five human senses, 6 is the number of harmony, 7 is regarded as an odd number that symbolizes introspection. The number 8 depicts power and material prosperity, the number 9 depicts wisdom and the number 10 depicts finality and closure.

Interpreting tarot symbols effectively is the secret of divination using tarot cards. These symbols are the key to unlocking the secret of the seeker's query by giving valuable insights at different levels of the subconscious.