Major Arcana

The Devil

Tarot Card Meaning

The Devil tarot card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck

Upright

  • bondage
  • materialism
  • shadow self
  • attachment

Examine your chains — addiction, toxic patterns, or unhealthy attachments hold you captive.

Reversed

  • liberation
  • release
  • breaking free
  • reclaiming power

Breaking free from what binds you. The chains were always loose — you can walk away.

Symbolism

A winged, horned Baphomet figure perches on a half-cube. A nude man and woman stand chained loosely below, horns growing from their heads — they could slip the chains at any time, but choose bondage.

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