What does The Sun say about your question?
🔮 Start ReadingThe Sun
The Sun · Major Arcana
What does The Sun mean in tarot?
Upright, The Sun signals joy, success, vitality. The Sun shines without conditions — this is one of the best cards in the deck. Reversed, the keywords shift to dimmed joy, delayed success, low energy; as a yes/no card it leans YES upright and not yet decided reversed.
Rider–Waite–Smith deck (first published 1909) · 78 cards · The Sun is Major Arcana 19 · meanings published in 5 languages
Element
Fire
Astrology
Sun
Hebrew letter
Resh
What does the imagery of The Sun mean?
A naked child crowned with a wreath of flowers rides a white horse, gripping a large red banner, while four sunflowers bloom behind a low wall under a radiant, human-faced sun. The child's open, unguarded posture and the horse's bare back convey innocent joy and vitality without armor or saddle. The wall separates the cultivated garden from the sun's limitless warmth, signaling conscious clarity, success, and the free, unselfconscious expression of life.
From the source
"The naked child mounted on a white horse and displaying a red standard has been mentioned already as the better symbolism connected with this card. It is the destiny of the Supernatural East and the great and holy light which goes before the endless procession of humanity, coming out from the walled garden of the sensitive life and passing on the journey home."
— A.E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911) (public domain)
What does The Sun mean as feelings?
UprightRadiant joy, open-hearted affection, and uncomplicated optimism. They feel seen and want to share that warmth with you. Behaviorally: generous, playful, eager to include you, quick to laugh, openly expressive about their happiness. Expect direct declarations, spontaneous plans, and a genuine desire for your company.
ReversedWeariness beneath a brave face. They feel their light is dimmed or unappreciated, so they perform cheerfulness while quietly doubting. Behaviorally: overcommitting to appear fine, then withdrawing; deflecting serious talk with jokes; seeking validation but struggling to accept it. Joy feels conditional or borrowed.
🜂 What does The Sun upright mean?
The Sun shines without conditions — this is one of the best cards in the deck. Success, warmth, and clear skies surround your question. Enjoy it and be seen.
🜲 What does The Sun reversed mean?
Reversed, the sun is behind a thin cloud: joy delayed or dimmed, not denied. What you built will still bloom — slightly later than hoped.
Yes or No
Is The Sun a yes or no?
Quick verdict by orientation
In love
The Sun in love
In career
The Sun in career
Money
The Sun & money
FAQ
What does The Sun upright mean?
The core upright keyword is "joy" — this energy is flowing naturally in your situation right now.
Is The Sun reversed a bad card?
Reversed is not a bad outcome; it signals energy turned inward or blocked, with the key "dimmed joy". Settling things before acting is the starting point.
What is this card's Yes/No leaning?
Upright leans YES, reversed not yet. For a formal verdict use the 3-card Yes/No tarot, reasoning included.
Can tarot answer specific dates?
Tarot reflects "the current flow and options" better than exact dates. For timing, ask "how much longer should I wait" instead.
※ Based on the conventional Rider-Waite interpretation.