Tarot Card Symbolism: The Lovers of the Major Arcana

The Lovers are the sixth card of the Major Arcana of the Tarot. They are the embodiment of a choice rather not faced, and of the consequences of this choice.

The Symbolism of the Lovers Tarot Card

The lovers are represented by a young couple, who are naked. Their nudity represents their innocence in love. Between them is a spirit, or an angel, which separates them. Behind each lover is a tree, each full of fruit. The love between these two has come to fruition.

The Lovers bear the number “6”, and are the guides in love of the Fool after his encounter with the Hierophant.

The General Interpretation of the Lovers Card

When appearing in a spread, this card suggests that you must make some kind of choice; often, the choice involves love or relationships. The Fool, who has learned about his own duality, must now put his values to the test. He must now make a choice.

This choice can take a variety of forms. It could mean a love triangle, or the problem of a hasty marriage. This card may also indicate the need to choose between love and something more tangible, such as a career. The Lovers emphasize the need to consider carefully all possible choices, to truly examine all possible consequences, rather than being driven blindly by desire or lust.

The Inner Meaning of the Lovers in Tarot

The Lovers are the image of the first true challenge of the Fool’s life — a choice in love. This does not only mean a choice between two women, or two men. It also is a reflection of chosen values, of the decision the Fool must make, which will define him as a person forevermore. The Fool is not yet fully mature, and so has difficulty separating his physical desires from what is right.

The consequences of the choice he must make are far-reaching, affecting every part of his life. This choice is thrust upon him before he is ready, as are many choices in life, and so a mistake may be inevitable. This situation cannot be avoided, and a choice must be made; abstaining from this choice is not an option. All the Fool can do is consider his options, then make the best possible choice given his maturity and the information he has available.

The Fool, not yet ready for this, does not fully understand that all choices — good and bad — carry consequences. This is an important lesson for the Fool, for he must realize that all things have a cost associated with them.

The Lovers are who the Fool must encounter after he meets the Hierophant, on his path to meeting the Chariot.