THE

CHINESE
TAROT DECK
by Jui Guoliang

Text by Stuart R.
Kaplan

Published by
U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC.
Stamford, CT 06902 USA
 1989, 2013 U.S. Games Systems,
Inc.

All rights reserved. The illustrations,

cover design and contents are
protected by copyright.
No part of this booklet may be
reproduced in any form without
permission in writing from the publisher,
except by a reviewer who wishes
to quote brief passages in connection
with a review written for inclusion in a
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ISBN-13: 978-0-88079-373-5
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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 The complete seventy-eight-card tarot
pack is divided into two sections:
twenty-two Major Arcana and fifty-six
Minor Arcana cards. The Major Arcana
are allegorical cards and are also
known as the Triumphs, the Greater
Arcana, the Higher Arcana and the
Atouts.
The Minor Arcana are divided into
four suits: swords, staves, cups, and
coins. In each suit,
are four court cards: king, queen, knight
and page; and ten numbered cards.
Todays ordinary playing cards descend
from the Minor Arcana of the tarot. The
knight and page were combined to form
the jack of the fifty-two-card deck and
swords became spades; staves, clubs;
cups, hearts and coins, diamonds.
Transliteration of Chinese to English
spelling varies according to source, and
was reformed in the early 1980s. For
example, the city name of Beijing was
formerly spelled Peking. The spelling used
here for Chinese names is that most
commonly found in published sources, the
trans- literation used before the reform.

3
O THE FOOL The Fool, in China, is seen
as foolish and comic, but is also
considered a kind and honorable person.
Divinatory Meanings: Folly. Lack of
discipline. Immaturity. Irrationality.
Frivolity. Delirium.
Frenzy. Enthusiasm. Naivety.

4
 Bad decision. Apathy.
Hesitation. Negligence.
The Magician holds
a flaming sword and a bowl of steaming
water. Magic is used in Chinese folklore
for curing wounds and illness, and for
gaining love and power.
Originality.
Imagination. Self-reliance. Self-confidence.
Deception.
Reverse Meanings: Weakness of will.
Ineptitude. Insecurity. Delay. The use of
ones skills for destructive ends.

I Shi Tai is the Chinese

title for an abbess. The High Priestess
uses prayer beads to guide her in
chanting a specific number of mantras, or
meditational prayers.
Divinatory Meanings: Wisdom. Sound
judgment. Serenity. Objectivity. Intuition.
Self- reliance. Emotionlessness. Platonic
relationships. Reverse Meanings: Ignorance.
Shortsightedness. Selfishness. Passion.
Physical ardor. Acceptance of superficial
knowledge.

II THE EMPRESS The Empress holds a

peony, called Flower of Riches and
Honors, and symbol of yang, the male
principle, a reference to her consort, the
Emperor. A phoenix is behind her, a
symbol of peace and prosperity, used as
an ornament by empresses of China.
Divinatory Meanings: Feminine progress.
Fruitfulness. Accomplishment. Marriage.
Children. Feminine influence. Ability to
motivate others.
 Reverse Meanings: Vacillation. Lack of
interest. Lack of concentration. Infertility.
Infidelity.

III THE EMPEROR Two splendid dragons

decorate the wall behind the Emperor, as
symbols of strength and goodness. The
five-clawed dragon was the emblem of
imperial power.
: Worldly power.
Confi- dence. Wealth. Stability. Authority.
Indomitable spirit. War-making
tendencies. Male influence. Reverse
Meanings: Immaturity. Ineffectiveness.
Indecision. Weakness of character. Failure
to control petty emotions.

IV HEAVENLY MASTER Chang Tao Ling,

or the Heavenly Master, was the first
great teacher of Taoism and was known
as a great healer and magician. He holds
a censer. On his robe is the symbol of
yin-yang, the unity of male and female
principles, an emblem of creation. Around
the
yin-yang sign are the eight diagrams, or
hexagrams (some concealed), that denote
the elements
of nature and corresponding qualities:
heaven, untiring strength and power;
standing water (for example, lakes and
swamps), pleasure and
satisfaction; fire, brightness and elegance;
thunder, movement and exciting power;
the wind and wood, flexibility and
penetration; water flowing (for example,
rain and streams), peril and difficulty; hills
and mountains, repose and interruption;
and earth, capaciousness and submission.
The diagrams also represent certain
animals. The medallion protects its
wearer from misfortune.
Divinatory Meanings: Ritualism. Mercy.
Forgiveness. Inspiration. Compassion.
Inactivity.
 Reserve. Tendency to cling to ideas and
prin- ciples even after they are
outdated. Conformity. Reverse Meanings:
Foolish exercise of generosity. Impotence.
Vulnerability. Frailty. Unorthodoxy.
Renunciation.

V THE LOVERS The Lovers card

shows the Cupids of China, the god of
harmony and the goddess of union.
Twin lotus flowers on one stalk, a pair
of bats, and a toad are all symbols of a
happy marriage.
Divinatory Meanings: Love. Beauty.
Perfection. Harmony. Trust. Romance. Deep
feeling.
Optimism. Freedom of emotion. Testing
someone.
Reverse Meanings: Failure to meet the
test. Separation. Frustration in love and
marriage. Interference. Fickleness.
Unwise plans.

VI THE CHARIOT A passionate warrior

raises his spear against the forces of evil.
A dragon draws his chariot.
Divinatory Meanings: Adversity, possibly
already overcome. Conflicting influences.
Vengeance. Success. Possibly, a voyage
or journey. Escape. Rushing to a decision.
Reverse Meanings: Failure. Sudden
collapse of plans. Unrealistic plans.

VII STRENGTH Strength portrays Wu

Sung, a legendary hero who slew a tiger.
Divinatory Meanings: Strength. Courage.
Energy. Resolution. Defiance. Action.
Zeal. Reverse Meanings: Pettiness.
Impotence. Sick- ness. Lack of faith.
Abuse of power.
VIII THE HERMIT In ancient times,
scholars often retreated from the world,
living in remote villages or in the
mountains. There they would write
literary works and play music. Boys
often acted as their servants and scribes.
Divinatory Meanings: Counsel.
Knowledge. Solicitude. Prudence.
Vigilance. Circumspection. Self-denial.
Withdrawal. Regression.
Reverse Meanings: Imprudence.
Prematurity. Incorrect advice. Failure
caused by dullness. Over-prudence
resulting in unnecessary delay.

IX WHEEL OF FORTUNE The Wheel of

Fortune is the yin-yang sign and the
eight hexa- grams. (See V Heavenly
Master.) Around it are four creatures: a
tiger, symbol of dignity and stern- ness; a
phoenix (see III The Empress); a dragon
(see IV The Emperor); and a tortoise,
symbol of the universe. Together, the
four creatures form the quadrants of the
sky.
Divinatory Meanings: Destiny. Fortune.
Outcome. Culmination. Good or bad
luck, depending on influences of
nearby cards. Inevitability.
Reverse Meanings: Bad luck. Broken
sequence. Outside influence not
contemplated.

X JUSTICE Wei To is a bodhisattva in

Buddhism, a soul whose compassion is

7
such that it postpones complete
enlightenment and retains a personality
in order to help bring others to
enlightenment. Wei To is depicted in full
armor, with a spear, as a defender of
Buddhist principles. Divinatory Meanings:
Justice. Balance.
Harmony. Equity. Righteousness. Virtue.
Honor.

8
 Reverse Meanings: Bias. False
accusations. Bigotry. Severity in
judgment. Intolerance. Unfairness.
Abuse.

XI HANGING GHOST In ancient China,

being treated badly, with no recourse to
justice, was a reason for suicide. The
Hanging Ghost is the soul of a person
who was wronged. It exhorts people to
be kind to one another.
Divinatory Meanings: Life in
suspension. Transition. Change.
Reversal of the mind and in ones way
of life. Apathy and dullness.
Abandonment. Renunciation. The
changing of lifes forces.
Reverse Meanings: Lack of sacrifice.
Unwill- ingness to make the necessary
effort. Egotism. False prophecy. Useless
sacrifice.

XII DEATH Yama, portrayed on

Death, is the ruler of the Buddhist hell.
The soul that passes before him is not
doomed to stay in
hell forever, but will pass through
various trials before being reincarnated
as a human or animal. Divinatory
Meanings: Transformation.
Clearing away the old to make way for
the new. Unexpected change. Alteration.
The ending of a familiar situation or
friendship. Financial loss. Beginning of a
new era.
 Reverse Meanings: Stagnation. Slow
changes. Partial change. Inertia.
Narrowly avoiding a serious accident.

XIII TEMPERANCE A monk prays in a

temple. Buddhist nuns and monks begin
monastic life by shaving their heads and
making nine burns
 on their scalps with joss sticks. The bell
behind him is rung to mark periods of
prayer and meditation, and it symbolizes
stillness and veneration.
Divinatory Meanings: Moderation.
Temperance. Patience. Accommodation.
Harmony. Fusion.
Management. Adjustment. Good
influence. Reverse Meanings: Discord.
Conflict of interest. Hostility. Inability to
work with others.

XIV THE DEVIL A horse-headed demon

and a bull-headed demon hold chains
and a spear with which to torment the
souls during their trials in hell. The
horse-headed demon is also associated
with the thunderbolt, the blow of which
is like Buddhist doctrine, which dispels
illusion and wickedness.
Divinatory Meanings: Subordination.
Ravage. Bondage. Malevolence.
Subservience. Downfall. Weird experience.
Bad outside influence or advice. Black
magic. Unexpected failure.
Reverse Meanings: Release from bondage.
Divorce. Recognition of ones needs by
another person. Overcoming severe
handicaps.

XV THE TOWER A tower is struck by the

god of thunder and the goddess of
lightning. The cock-headed god is
winged and wields a mallet and chisel,
and stands on drums. He kills the
unrighteous, assisted by the lightning
9
goddess, who flashes light to blind the
victim.
Divinatory Meanings: Complete and
sudden change. Breaking down of old
beliefs. Aban- donment of past
relationships. Severing of a friendship.
Changing ones opinion.

10
 Reverse Meanings: Continued oppression.
Living in a rut. Entrapment in an
unhappy situation.

XVI THE STAR The Star depicts the

god of longevity, an old man who is
represented by the star Canopus, in the
constellation Carina. He holds the
peaches of the miraculous tree that
blossoms only once every three
thousand years, and he is accompanied
by a stag. Cranes are an emblem of
longevity.
Divinatory Meanings: Hope. Faith.
Inspiration. Bright prospects. Mixing of
the past and present. Optimism. Insight.
Good omen. Spiritual love. Astrological
influence. Pleasure.
Reverse Meanings: Disappointment.
Pessimism. Bad luck. Lack of opportunity.
Stubbornness.
Imbalance.

XVII THE MOON The Moon represents

the female essence of nature. The
goddess of the moon holds a hare, an
emblem of longevity. Divinatory
Meanings: Deception. Twilight. Obscurity.
Intuition. Disillusionment. Danger. Bad
influence. Ulterior motives. False friends.
Reverse Meanings: A minor deception
recog- nized before damage is done.
Trifling mistakes. Overcoming
temptation.
XVIII THE SUN A Chinese legend relates
that in ancient times there were nine
suns in the sky. Scorched by the suns,
Earth was almost bare and lifeless. Hon
Yi, husband of the moon god- dess, took
his bow and arrow and shot down eight
of the nine suns. With only one sun in
the sky, Earth was saved.
 Divinatory Meanings: Accomplishment.
Contentment. Success. Favorable
relationships. Love. Joy. Devotion.
Achievement.
Reverse Meanings: Unhappiness.
Loneliness. Possibly a broken
engagement or marriage. Cancelled
plans. Triumph delayed.

XIX CONFUCIUS The teachings of Con-

fucius emphasize benevolence, a sense
of duty, sincerity, justice, and wisdom.
The philosophy is based on the tenet
that the universe and humanity are
regulated by a moral order.
Divinatory Meanings: Atonement.
Judgment. Self-perspective. Rejuvenation.
Rebirth.
Improvement. Development. Promotion.
Reverse Meanings: Disappointment. Failure
to face facts. Indecision. Divorce.
Procrastination. Theft. Alienation of
affections.

XX THE UNIVERSE Kuan Yin is the

goddess of benevolence and salvation.
She helps people out of the abyss of
misery and leads them to paradise.
Divinatory Meanings: Attachment.
Completion. Perfection. Ultimate change.
Synthesis. Fulfillment. Capability. Triumph in
undertakings. Rewards of hard work.
Admiration of others.
Reverse Meanings: Imperfection. Failure
to complete the task one starts. Lack
of vision.
 THE MINOR ARCANA

THE SUIT OF SWORDS

KING OF SWORDS The king is
attended by two men, sheltered by an
umbrella, and armed with a sword.
Divinatory Meanings: An active and
determined person. Experienced.
Controlled. Commanding. A professional
man. Highly analytical person. Justness.
Force. Superiority. Reverse Meanings: A
person who may pursue a matter to
ruin. Conflict. Selfishness. Sadism. A
dangerous or wicked person. One who
causes unnecessary disturbance and
sadness.

QUEEN OF SWORDS The queen holds a

sword. Her attendants carry fans
decorated with phoenixes.
Divinatory Meanings: Quick-witted.
Intensely perceptive. A subtle person. May
signify a widow or woman of sadness.
Mourning. Privation.
Absence. Loneliness. Separation.
Reverse Meanings: Narrow-mindedness.
Maliciousness. Deceitfulness.
Vengefulness.
A treacherous enemy. An ill-tempered
person.

KNIGHT OF SWORDS The knight

escapes his enemies on a magical flying
horse.
Divinatory Meanings: Bravery. Skill. The
strength and dash of a young man. Heroic
action. Impetuous rush into the unknown.
Reverse Meanings: Incapacity. Imprudence.
Dispute or ruin over a woman.
Impulsive.
PAGE OF SWORDS The page is a valiant
youth.
Divinatory Meanings: Vigilance. Agility.
Spying. A discreet person. An active youth.
A lithe figure. A person adept at
perceiving, discerning, and uncovering
the unknown.
Reverse Meanings: An imposter revealed.
Illness is also possible. Powerlessness in
the face of stronger forces. Lack of
preparation.

TEN OF SWORDS A Taoist priest

launches an attack with ten magical
swords.
Divinatory Meanings: Ruin. Pain.
Affliction. Mental anguish. Desolation.
Misfortune.
Disappointment.
Reverse Meanings: Benefit. Profit.
Improvement. Passing success.
Temporary favor. Momentary advantage.

NINE OF SWORDS A youth

struggles against swords.
Divinatory Meanings: Miscarriage. Anxiety
over a loved one. Worry. Despair.
Reverse Meanings: Suspicion. Slanderous
gossip. Shame. Scruple. Timidity. Shady
character.

EIGHT OF SWORDS Four warriors

holding two swords each assume a
defensive stance.
Divinatory Meanings: Crisis. Calamity.
Domi- nation. Imprisonment. Turmoil.
Bad news.
Criticism. Sickness. Calumny.
Reverse Meanings: Treachery in the past.
Difficulty. Hard work. Depression. Disquiet.
Accident. Fatality.
SEVEN OF SWORDS Three men and
a woman battle with swords.
Divinatory Meanings: New plans.
Wishes. Fortitude. Perseverance.
Hope. Confidence. Fantasy. Partial
success.
Reverse Meanings: Arguments.
Uncertain counsel or advice.
Circumspection. Slander.

SIX OF SWORDS Three women pose

grace- fully with swords.
Divinatory Meanings: A trip or journey.
Headstrong attempts to overcome
difficulties. Expedient manner. Success
after anxiety.
Reverse Meanings: Stalemate. Unwanted
proposal. Confession. Declaration.

FIVE OF SWORDS A youth dexterously

handles five swords.
Divinatory Meanings: Conquest. Defeat.
Destruction of others. Degradation.
Adversary may arise. Revocation. Infamy.
Dishonor.
Reverse Meanings: Uncertain outlook.
Weakness. Possible misfortune befalling a
friend.

FOUR OF SWORDS In an autumn

landscape, two men rest after a martial
arts match.
Divinatory Meanings: Respite. Rest after
illness. Repose. Replenishment. Solitude.
Retreat.
Reverse Meanings: Circumspection.
Precaution. Economy. Guarded
advancement. Desire to recover what is
lost.
THREE OF SWORDS A girl runs through
falling leaves, balancing a sword
between two swords.
Divinatory Meanings: Absence. Sorrow.
Disappointment. Strife. Removal.
Dispersion. Diversion. Opposition.
Separation. Delay.
Reverse Meanings: Distraction. Confusion.
Disorder. Mistake. Incompatibility. Anxiety.
Loss.

TWO OF SWORDS A girl dances, holding

two swords. Dogwood blossoms and green
willow boughs denote spring.
Divinatory Meanings: Balanced force.
Firmness. Concord. Stalemate. Affection.
Reverse Meanings: Duplicity.
Misrepresentation. Treachery. False friends.
Lies.

ACE OF SWORDS A man practices

martial arts, exhibiting skill and
discipline.
Divinatory Meanings: Great
determination. Initiative. Strength.
Activity. Excessiveness. Triumph. Fertility.
Prosperity. Deep emotions. Reverse
Meanings: Debacle. Tyranny. Disaster. Self-
destruction. Violent temper. Infertility.

THE SUIT OF STAVES

KING OF STAVES The king of staves is
attended by two maids of honor. One
carries coral, an emblem of longevity
and official promotion. Divinatory
Meanings: An honest and con- scientious
person. Mature. Wise. Devoted.
Friendly. Sympathetic. Educated. A
gentleman.
Reverse Meanings: Severity. Austerity.
Somewhat excessive and exaggerated
ideas. Dogmatic. Deliberate.

QUEEN OF STAVES The queen of

staves is accompanied by two women,
who carry a
golden censer and a peacock fan. The
peacock is a symbol of beauty and
dignity.
Divinatory Meanings: A sympathetic and
understanding person. Friendly. Loving.
Chaste. Practical. Charm and grace.
Gracious hostess. Reverse Meanings:
Jealousy. Deceit. Infidelity. Unstable
emotions. Fickleness. Resistance.

KNIGHT OF STAVES The knight is an old,

honored general. He stands on a tiger
carpet as a sign of his prowess.
Divinatory Meanings: A journey.
Advancement into the unknown.
Alteration. Flight. Absence. Change of
residence.
Reverse Meanings: Interruption.
Unexpected change. Quarreling.
Breakup of personal rela- tionships.
Rupture.

PAGE OF STAVES The page is an old man

leaning on a staff. Behind him are
cypresses wrapped in fog.
Divinatory Meanings: A loyal person. An
envoy. Emissary. Trusted friend. A
stranger with good intentions. A bearer
of important news.
Reverse Meanings: Indecision.
Reluctance. Instability. A gossip.
Bearer of bad tidings.
A person who may break your heart.
Displeasure.
TEN OF STAVES A Taoist priest exercises
his magic using a rod. Golden leaves of
autumn fall around him.
Divinatory Meanings: Excessive
pressures. Problems soon to be
resolved. Possibly using power for
selfish ends.
Reverse Meanings: Difficulties.
Intrigues. A traitor. Deceiver. Some
losses will occur.

NINE OF STAVES A young warrior

braves the attack of nine magic staves.
Divinatory Meanings: Expectation of dif-
ficulties and changes. Deception. A
pause in a current struggle.
Reverse Meanings: Obstacles. Adversity.
Delays. Disaster. Ill health.

EIGHT OF STAVES An exhibition of

martial arts is taking place. An old man
supervises, stressing that control, not
haste, is essential.
Divinatory Meanings: Swift activity.
Sudden progress or movement. Speed.
Hastily made decisions. Too rapid
advancement.
Reverse Meanings: Thorns of dispute.
Jealousy. Harassment. Stagnation.
Domestic quarrels.

SEVEN OF STAVES A maker of staves

shows his wares at the market. The
roses tumbling over the wall herald
success.
Divinatory Meanings: Success. Gain.
Over- whelming odds surmounted.
Advantage.
Reverse Meanings: Anxiety.
Embarrassment. Hesitancy causing
losses. Perplexity
SIX OF STAVES A matriarch is leading
her disciples to fight heretics.
Divinatory Meanings: Conquest. Triumph.
Good news. Advancement. Expectation.
Desires realized as a result of efforts.
Reverse Meanings: Indefinite delay. Fear.
Apprehension. Disloyalty. Superficial
benefit.

FIVE OF STAVES Five old men dispute

the aesthetics of ancient paintings.
Divinatory Meanings: Unsatisfied desires.
Labor. Violent strife. Obstacles.
Reverse Meanings: Trickery. Contradictions.
Complexity. Involvement.

FOUR OF STAVES An old man displays

his skills in handling staves. Plum
blossoms in the background symbolize
happiness.
Divinatory Meanings: Romance. Society.
Harmony. Newly acquired prosperity.
Tranquility. The fruits of labor. Rest after
strife.
Reverse Meanings: Loss of full tranquility.
Unfulfilled romance. Insecurity. Tarnished
beauty. Incomplete happiness.

THREE OF STAVES An instructor in the

martial arts demonstrates a maneuver.
Divinatory Meanings: Practical knowledge.
Business acumen. Enterprise.
Negotiations. Trade. Commerce.
Reverse Meanings: Assistance with an
ulterior motive. Diminishing adversity.
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TWO OF STAVES An elderly couple awaits
the visit of children and grandchildren.
The bamboo behind them means filial
affection and long life. Divinatory
Meanings: Mature individual.
Ruler. Attainment of goals and needs.
Boldness. A dominant personality.
Reverse Meanings: Sadness. Trouble.
Restraint caused by others. Loss of faith.
Surprise.

ACE OF STAVES A venerable scholar

searches for the source of the river.
Mountains, clouds and pine trees form the
backdrop.
Divinatory Meanings: Creation. Start of
an undertaking. Fortune. Inheritance.
Birth of a child. Beginning of a
meaningful experience. An adventure.
Reverse Meanings: False start. Cloudy
outlook. Unrealized goal. Decadence.
Empty existence. Vexation. Cancellation of
plans.

THE SUIT OF CUPS

KING OF CUPS The king raises his cup
as a toast to the dragon behind him, a
symbol of imperial power.
Divinatory Meanings: Responsibility and
creativity. Learned person. Religious
person. Scientist. A considerate person,
kind and reliable. Liberal manner. Interest
in the arts and sciences. Reverse
Meanings: Artistic temperament.
Double dealing. Scandal. Loss. Ruin.
Injustice. A crafty person without virtue.
QUEEN OF CUPS The queen is an imperial
concubine, dancing drunkenly. A phoenix
crown is on her head, cranes and pines
are painted on the screen behind her, and
the carpet is deco- rated with a phoenix.
Divinatory Meanings: A warm-hearted
and fair person. Beloved and adored.
Good friend and mother. Devoted
wife. Practical. Honest. Loving and
intelligent. Gift of vision.
Reverse Meanings: Dishonesty. Unreliability.
Vice.

KNIGHT OF CUPS The knight is a general

drinking alone. He wears armor under the
red robe.
Divinatory Meanings: An invitation or
oppor- tunity may soon arise.
Advancement. Attraction. Inducement.
Challenge. Proposal.
Reverse Meanings: Subtlety. Artifice.
Trickery. A sly and cunning person. A
person capable of swindling.

PAGE OF CUPS The page, seated on a

mat, drinks wine. Outside, it is raining
and misty.
Divinatory Meanings: A studious and
intent person. Reflective. Meditative.
Loyal. Willingness to offer services
and efforts.
Reverse Meanings: Deviation. Susceptibility.
Temporary distraction. Seduction. A
flatterer.
TEN OF CUPS Chung Kuei, shown jug-
gling bowls, is a legendary figure whose
power over evil demons protects people
from harm.
Divinatory Meanings: Home. Joy.
Pleasure. Peace. Love. Contentment.
Good family.
Honor. Esteem. Virtue.
Reverse Meanings: Loss of friendship.
Unhappiness. Family quarrel. Pettiness.
Rage. Difference of opinion.

NINE OF CUPS Chu Wenjun was a

scholar from a rich family. She became
a wineseller in order to enjoy a tranquil
life and freedom from fame and gain.
Divinatory Meanings: Success.
Advantage. Well-being. Abundance.
Good health.
Difficulties surmounted.
Reverse Meanings: Mistakes. Material
loss. Imperfections. Misplaced trust. False
freedom. Opposition. Differences.

EIGHT OF CUPS The eight cups

symbolize the eight famous poets and
artists of the Tang Dynasty, as sung in
Tu Fus verse: A Drinking Melody by the
Eight Gods.
Divinatory Meanings: Discontinuance of
effort. Disappointment. Abandonment of
previous plans. Shyness. Modesty.
Abandoned success. Reverse Meanings:
Effort continued until full success is
attained. Festivity. Gaiety.

SEVEN OF CUPS A youth dreams of

coins and precious gems.
Divinatory Meanings: Fantasy.
Imagination. Daydreams. Foolish whims.
Wishful thinking. Illusionary success.
Reverse Meanings: Desire. Determination.
Will power. A goal nearly attained.
Intelligent choice.

SIX OF CUPS A drunken man juggles six

cups, spilling their contents. The empty
cups signify the loss of childhood, joy,
and pleasure. Divinatory Meanings:
Memories. Past influ- ences. Nostalgia.
Faded images.
Reverse Meanings: The future.
Opportunities ahead. Coming events.
New vistas. Plans that may fail.

FIVE OF CUPS A warrior drinks alone in

a shabby tavern, trying to dispel his
melancholy. Divinatory Meanings: Partial
loss. Regret.
Friendship without real meaning.
Inheritance. Incomplete union or
partnership.
Reverse Meanings: Hopeful outlook.
Favorable expectations. New alliances.
Affinity. Return of an old friend. Reunion.

FOUR OF CUPS Su Tung Po (Su Shih)

was a well-known poet of the Sung
Dynasty. He was not successful, in spite
of his brilliance, and he often drank to
alleviate depression. The orchids on the
painting symbolize aloofness from
political concerns and material pursuits.
Divinatory Meanings: Weariness.
Aversion. Disgust. Disappointment.
Bitter experience. Stationary period
in life.
Reverse Meanings: New possibilities. New
relationships. New approaches to old
problems. New knowledge.
THREE OF CUPS A general toasts his
victory. Divinatory Meanings: Resolution
of a problem. Conclusion. Solace.
Healing. Satisfactory result.
Compromise.
Reverse Meanings: Excessive pleasures.
Over- abundance. Superfluity. Loss of
prestige. Lack of appreciation.

TWO OF CUPS Li Po, the great poet of

the Tang Dynasty, sips his wine while
savoring the beauty of a moonlit night.
He wrote a famous poem in which he
invited the moon to join him in drinking.
Divinatory Meanings: Love. Friendship
beginning or renewed. Passion.
Engagement. Understanding.
Cooperation. Partnership.
Marriage.
Reverse Meanings: Unsatisfactory love.
False friendship. Troubled relationship.
Divorce.
Separation. Crossed desires.
Misunderstanding.

ACE OF CUPS A woman scholar enjoys

the chrysanthemums in her garden.
Chrysanthemums signify ease and
retirement.
Divinatory Meanings: Great abundance.
Fulfill- ment. Perfection. Joy. Fertility.
Productiveness. Beauty and pleasure.
Favorable outlook.
Reverse Meanings: Change. Erosion.
Instability, Sterility. Unrequited love.
Clouded joy. False heart. Inconsistency.
 THE SUIT OF COINS
KING OF COINS The king sits on his
throne, enjoying the fragrance of incense.
Divinatory Meanings: An experienced and
successful leader. A person of character and
intel- ligence. Business acumen.
Mathematical ability. Reliable partner.
Wise investment. Ability to acquire money
and valuable possessions.
Reverse Meanings: Corruption. Using
any means to achieve the desired end.
Avarice. Unfaithfulness. An old and
vicious man. Peril. Thriftlessness.

QUEEN OF COINS The queen is seated

before a screen decorated with a
phoenix. Divinatory Meanings:
Prosperity and well- being. Generosity.
Security. Liberty. Grace. Dignity. A
noble soul.
Reverse Meanings: False prosperity.
Suspense. Suspicion. Responsibilities
neglected. Vicious person. Distrustful
person. Fear of failure.

KNIGHT OF COINS The general is fully

armored. A flag is behind him.
Divinatory Meanings: A mature and
responsible person. Reliable. Methodical.
Patient. Persistent. Ability to conclude a
task. Laborious. Organized. Reverse
Meanings: Stagnation. Inertia. Lack of
determination or direction. Narrow-
mindedness. Idleness.
PAGE OF COINS An old man stands
before his high-walled and secure home.
 Deep concentration
and application. Scholarship. Reflection.
Desire for new ideas. A do-gooder. Bearer
of news.
Reverse Meanings: Failure to recognize
obvious facts. Dissipation of ideas.
Illogical thinking.
Rebelliousness. Wastefulness.

TEN OF COINS Chao Kung Ming is the

god of wealth. Astride a black tiger, he
defends the people from injustice and
helps the poor and those who are kindly.
Divinatory Meanings: Riches. Safety.
Family matters. Ancestry. Inheritance.
Home.
Reverse Meanings: Bad odds. Possible
loss. Hazard. Robbery. Loss of
inheritance.
Dissipation. Gambling.

The god Liu Hai,

accompanied by a toad that sits on
his back, is a sign of success and
fortune.
: Accomplishment.
Discernment. Discretion. Foresight.
Prudence. Material well-being. Love of
nature.
Reverse Meanings: Roguery. Danger.
Storms. Bad faith. Possible loss of a
valued friendship or a treasured
possession.
EIGHT OF COINS A greedy trader picks
up coins from the ground. The image is
of a person seeking prosperity through
windfalls, rather than through work.
Divinatory Meanings: Apprenticeship.
Craftsmanship. Quickness to learn.
Candor. Modesty. Handiwork. Personal
effort.
Reverse Meanings: Lack of ambition.
Vanity. Disillusionment. Usury. Hypocrisy.
Flattery. Intrigue.

OF COINS A nun begs for alms.

In Buddhism, the flywhisk symbolizes
the command not to kill, as one
brushes away flies rather than killing
them.
Divinatory Meanings: Ingenuity.
Growth. Handiwork. Progress.
Successful dealings. Money Treasure.
Reverse Meanings: Impatience.
Uneasiness. Imprudent actions. Loss
of money. Unwise investments.

SIX OF COINS A warrior tosses coins in

order to predict the future.
Divinatory Meanings: Generosity.
Philanthropy. Charity. Gratification. Gifts.
Reverse Meanings: Avarice. Selfishness.
Envy. Jealousy. Bad debt. Unpaid loans.

FIVE OF COINS The image of a

corrupt official warns that it is better
to go bankrupt than to succumb to
blackmail.
Divinatory Meanings: Destitution. Loss.
Failure. Error. Mistress. Lover.
Reverse Meanings: Reversal of bad
trend. New interest in matters.
Overcoming ruin. Disharmony in
marriage or love interests.

27
FOUR OF COINS A plump boy bearing
coins is a sign of coming prosperity.

2
6
Divinatory Meanings: Love of material
wealth. Hoarder. Usurer. Skinflint.
Inability to share.
Reverse Meanings: Setbacks in material
matters. Opposition to further gain.
Suspense and delay. Spendthrift.

THREE OF COINS An archer shoots

arrows through the centers of coins.
Divinatory Meanings: Great skill in
trade or work. Mastery. Perfection.
Artistic ability. Dignity. Renown. Rank.
Power.
Reverse Meanings: Sloppiness.
Mediocrity. Money problems.
Commonplace ideas. Lack of skill.
Preoccupation.

TWO OF COINS A pair of coins

symbolizes engagement. The palm
trees, weeping willows, and full moon
all indicate a happy marriage for the
couple.
Divinatory Meanings: Difficulty in
launching new projects. New troubles.
Embarrassment. Reverse Meanings:
Literary ability. Agility in handling
matters. Simulated enjoyment.
Enforced gaiety. Letter. Message.

ACE OF COINS A scholar holding a gold

coin is content with his placid and
wealthy life. Divinatory Meanings:
Perfection. Attainment Prosperity.
Felicity. Bliss. Gold. Treasures. The
combination of material and spiritual
riches. Reverse Meanings: Prosperity
without happiness. Misused wealth.
Wasted money.
Corruption by money. Miserliness.
Greed. Fools gold.
 The ten-card spread is a slightly
altered version of the Ancient Celtic
Method described by Arthur Edward
Waite in The Pictorial Key to the Tarot.
The person seeking an answer to a
question is known as the questioner or
querent. The ques- tioner sits at a table
opposite the diviner and both persons
maintain a serious attitude.
The questioner should concentrate on
the specific question to be answered. This
question is stated aloud to the diviner
while the questioner shuffles the face-
down deck. The shuffling must be done
by the person seeking an interpretation
or predictionnot by the diviner. When
the ques- tioner is satisfied with the
shuffling, the deck is placed face down in
front of the diviner. The cards are always
viewed from the diviners position.
Beginning with the top card as
number one, the second card as number
two, and so on, the diviner turns over the
first six cards, one at a time, placing
them face up on the table in the
sequence shown in the diagram.
The cards with pictures upside down
to the diviner are said to be reversed,
and therefore, the reverse meanings
apply to them. Generally, if more than
half the cards are reversed, the diviner
may find a better reading is obtained
by moving the reversed cards to upright
positions.

29
 10

9
1
6 2 4

5
7

The significance of the cards in the

ten-card spread is as follows.
Card 1: Present position. Atmosphere in
which the questioner is presently
working and living. Influences on the
questioner. This card also represents
the questioner.
Card 2: Immediate influence. The
influences or obstacles that lie just
ahead. This card crosses the questioner.
Card 3: Goal or destiny. The ultimate goal
or destiny of the questioner. The best
that can be accomplished by the
questioner based on exist- ing
circumstances. This card may also
represent the questioners aim or ideal
in regard to the question. This card
crowns the questioner.
Card 4: Distant past foundation. Past
events and influences that form a
foundation for
the present events. This card is
behind the questioner.
Card 5: Recent past events. The sphere of
influence or events that has passed or
is just passing. The card may represent
distant past influences exerting pressure
on recent events. This card is beneath
the questioner.
Card 6: Future influence. The sphere of
influence that is coming into being in
the near future. This card is in front of
the questioner.
After reading the preceding six cards,
the diviner turns over the next four cards
from the deck, placing them one above
the other in a line to the right of the
previous six cards, as shown in the
diagram.
Card . The questioners
present position or attitude within the
circum- stances. This card is used to
place the questioner in proper
perspective.
Card 8: Environmental factors. The
questioners influence on other people
and his or her social position in life.
Tendencies and factors that exist with
respect to other persons who may have
an effect on the questioner.
Card 9: Inner emotions. The inner hopes,
hidden emotions and secret desires,
fears and anxieties of the questioner.
Includes thoughts that will arise in the
future.
Card 10: Final results. The culmination and
outcome of the influences revealed by
the other cards in the spread, provided
events and influ- ences continue as
indicated.
 For our complete line of tarot
decks, books, meditation cards,
oracle sets, and other
inspirational products please
visit our Website:

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