The World Tarot Card: Symbolism, History, and Meaning
The World tarot card is the final card in the Major Arcana and represents the culmination of the Fool's journey. Symbolizing completion, fulfillment, and enlightenment, The World card embodies achievement and the realization of one's goals. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the historical origins, symbolism, and meanings of this iconic card, providing you with deep insights into its role in your tarot readings.
The Historical Origins of The World Tarot Card
The World card, number twenty-one in the Major Arcana, has been a part of the tarot deck since its inception. Historically, it often depicted an allegorical figure surrounded by an oval wreath, embodying the concept of wholeness and perfection. As tarot evolved into a tool for divination and spiritual guidance, The World's meaning expanded to embody completion, achievement, and enlightenment.
A Rich Description of The World Tarot Card
The World card typically depicts a woman inside an oval wreath. This figure is a symbol of the completion of a cycle and the pause before the next big cycle beginning with The Fool. She holds a baton in each hand, representing balance and evolution.
The oval wreath is an ancient symbol representing victory, success, achievement, and accomplishment. The continuous, circular shape signifies a perpetual cycle of successful completions and new beginnings. The red ribbons tied in a figure-eight (infinity symbol) at the top and bottom reinforce this idea of an infinite cycle of success and completion.
The four figures in the corners of the card mirror those in The Wheel of Fortune card. They are usually represented as an angel, an eagle, a bull, and a lion - symbols of the four Evangelists (Mark, John, Luke, and Matthew). They represent the four elements (air, water, earth and fire), the four compass points (north, east, south, west), the four seasons, and the four fixed astrological signs (Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus, and Leo). They are symbolic of the mastery of the elements of the world.
In the background, there are often clouds and a blue sky, indicating a connection to heavenly, rather than worldly, matters.
The Profound Symbolism of The World Tarot Card
The World tarot card is full of rich symbolism:
The central figure: Symbolizes success, fulfillment, and joy. Their dance represents the joy of achievement and the celebration of completing a journey.
The wreath: Represents the continuous cycle of life, completion, and wholeness. It's a symbol of victory and achievement.
The four elements: Represent the unity and harmony of different aspects of life. They symbolize physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual fulfillment and the balance of these forces.
The Empowering Meanings of The World Tarot Card
When The World appears in a tarot reading, it signifies the completion of a cycle or a significant achievement.
Upright, The World card signifies fulfillment, achievement, and completion. It suggests a time of success and accomplishment, indicating that you've reached the end of a journey or completed a significant life cycle. It encourages you to celebrate your achievements and prepare for a new cycle of growth and discovery.
Reversed, The World card may indicate a lack of completion or unresolved issues. It could suggest that you're holding back from achieving your potential or that you're close to reaching your goal but need to push a little more.
Final Thoughts on The World Tarot Card
The World tarot card carries an empowering message of achievement, completion, and fulfillment. Its profound history and rich symbolism provide deep insights into your life journey. Whether you're new to tarot or an experienced reader, understanding The World can inspire you to celebrate your achievements, embrace your personal growth, and prepare for the next exciting cycle of your life.
Remember, like The World card, we all strive to achieve our goals and reach completion in our personal endeavors. It's through this cycle of setting goals, working towards them, and ultimately achieving them that we experience the joy and fulfillment of our life journey.