Do you feel like you’re on a fool’s journey as you search for the perfect Tattoo Design? Well, worry not, we’re about to turn things upside down and give you the strength to take you out of your hermit lifestyle as we spin the wheel of fortune on these amazing Arcana Tattoo Designs.
What Are The Major Arcana
“Arcana” comes from Latin “arcanum,” meaning “secret” or “mystery”. In tarot, the cards are divided into two main types, Major and Minor.
The Major Arcana represent major life themes, spiritual lessons, and turning points in a person’s journey. They tell the story of The Fool’s Journey, a path of growth, challenge, and enlightenment.
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards in a tarot deck, often referred to as the “soul cards,” which symbolize life’s major lessons, themes, and spiritual growth. These cards are separate from the four regular suits of the Minor Arcana and are loaded with alchemical, astrological, and archetypal symbolism.
Invented in the 15th century in Italy, Tarot (called “trionfi” or “triumphs”) was originally a card game, not a divination tool. The game was similar to modern-day Bridge or Tarocchi, and the Major Arcana were the trump cards. The earliest complete deck with Major Arcana is the Visconti-Sforza deck (c. 1440s).
In the 18th century, French occultists (like Etteilla and Eliphas Lévi) began linking Tarot to Kabbalah, astrology, and Hermetic philosophy. That’s when Tarot transformed from a parlour game into a divination tool, and the Major Arcana were elevated to symbols of the human spiritual journey.
Best Arcana Tattoo Designs
Now that we know a little about the Arcana, let’s take a look at some of the best Arcana cards from across the internet.
The Fool Arcana Tattoo
Card 0, The Fool, represents infinite potential, unbound by the rules of the rest of the Major Arcana.
When The Fool appears upright in a reading, it often signals a new adventure or fresh start, a call to trust your instincts, freedom from expectations, fear, or routine, or a gentle nudge to take a leap of faith.
If drawn upside down, The Fool might warn of recklessness or naivety, jumping in without planning, ignoring good advice or intuition, or the fear of taking the first step.
Magician Arcana Tattoo
Card 1 of the Major Arcana, The Magician, symbolizes beginnings, individuality, and power.
Drawn upright, The Magician represents taking action with confidence, using your skills, tools, and resources wisely, turning thought into reality, and being in the flow between spirit and matter.
If drawn in reverse, The Magician represents manipulation or trickery, wasted potential, lack of focus or direction, and doubting your own abilities.
High Priestess Arcana Tattoo
Card no.2, High Priestess is the number of duality, balance, and hidden depths.
The High Priestess is the card of inner guidance over external noise. She reflects trusting your gut instincts, sacred silence, patience, observation, and a time to pause, reflect, and listen to your dreams or inner voice.
Reversed, The High Priestess can suggest ignoring your intuition or inner wisdom, secrets being kept (by you or from you), overthinking instead of trusting, or hidden truths needing to be revealed.
Empress Arcana Tattoo
Card no. 3 of the Arcana, The Empress reflects creation, growth, and harmony.
The Empress brings messages of growth and abundance, creativity and fertility, self-care and nurturing, a connection to earthly pleasures and sensuality, or a supportive, warm, “motherly” energy.
Reversed, she might warn of creative blocks or feeling unproductive, over-nurturing others and forgetting your own needs, feeling disconnected from nature, body, or beauty, or issues around self-worth or boundaries.
The Emperor Arcana Tattoo
Card 4, The Emperor is the number of structure, foundations, and reliability.
Upright, The Emperor signals taking charge and asserting leadership, creating rules, plans, or boundaries, a need for structure and discipline, a father figure or someone protective, dependable, and authoritative, or long-term stability and grounded power.
When flipped, The Emperor may indicate control issues or rigidity, the abuse of power, dominance, or stubbornness, a fear of authority or a lack of discipline, or a feeling of being unsupported or lacking structure.
Hierophant Arcana Tattoo
The Tarot’s 5th card, The Hierophant, is the number of change, learning, and challenge.
The Hierophant brings messages of following established paths, seeking a mentor, teacher, or guide, aligning with cultural or spiritual values, participating in rituals or sacred practices, and respecting the wisdom of the past.
If drawn reversed, The Hierophant may suggest rebellion against authority or tradition, breaking away from rigid systems, thinking for yourself after years of “shoulds,” or feeling spiritually restricted or suffocated.
Lovers Arcana Tattoo
The 6th Arcana, Lovers, represents harmony, balance, and integration.
The Lovers card represents deep love, connection, and union, emphasizing the need to choose between paths, align your head and heart, and foster partnerships built on trust, equality, and mutual respect. It serves as a reminder to act in harmony with your values.
Reversed, The Lovers might suggest disharmony or imbalance in a relationship, such as avoiding an important decision out of fear, succumbing to temptation, or being swayed by something not aligned with your truth. This can also lead to conflicts between desire and duty, or between heart and mind.
Chariot Arcana Tattoo
The Chariot is the 7th Major Arcana, being the number of spiritual growth, challenge, and introspection.
Upright, The Chariot represents overcoming challenges through discipline and drive, a need to harness opposing forces and keep them in balance. This card signifies ambition leading to success, possibly through literal travel or relocation, and a time to stay the course and not let distractions pull you off the path.
When reversed, The Chariot might suggest a lack of control or being pulled in too many directions, self-doubt, loss of direction, or scattered energy, a need to pause and regroup, or overconfidence, impatience, or forcing something too hard.
Strength Arcana Tattoo
Arcana 8, Strength is the number of power, mastery, and balance.
Strength represents courage in the face of adversity, self-control, and emotional balance, choosing compassion over aggression, mastering one’s impulses, and taming inner doubts. It is a reminder to stay gentle, kind, and steady.
Reversed, Strength may suggest self-doubt or feeling emotionally overwhelmed, being too passive or too forceful, losing patience, reacting instead of responding, or feeling disconnected from your own power.
The Hermit Arcana Tattoo
The Hermit is card no. 9, the number of completion, enlightenment, and contemplation.
The Hermit represents a time of introspection and soul-searching, requiring quiet or space from outside noise, seeking guidance, whether from a mentor or one’s higher self, stepping away to process, heal, or reflect, or embarking on a journey of spiritual development or personal truth.
If drawn reversed, The Hermit might suggest that isolation has become unhealthy, leading to feelings of disconnection or emotional withdrawal, and ignoring the need for introspection or avoiding solitude. This card also serves as a warning not to abandon others or lose touch completely.
Wheel Of Fortune Arcana Tattoo
The Wheel of Fortune is the 10th card of the Major Arcana, a number associated with completion and new beginnings.
The Wheel of Fortune represents a change in luck or circumstances that are often unexpected, the influence of fate, karma, or divine timing, a reminder that “this too shall pass” whether good or bad, a turning point or big shift in life’s story, and being in the right place at the right time.
Reversed, it may suggest feeling stuck or like fate is working against you, experiencing bad timing, missing opportunities, delays, resisting change, or clinging to control, or a cycle repeating because the lesson wasn’t learned.
Justice Arcana Tattoo
Justice is card 11 of the Major Arcana, a master number in numerology tied to spiritual insight.
Justice represents fairness, honesty, and ethical decision-making, leading to just outcomes, whether legal, moral, or personal. It is a call to take responsibility and act with integrity, while considering all sides and maintaining objectivity.
When reversed, Justice may suggest unfairness, corruption, lies, bias, or skewed judgment, a refusal to take accountability, or legal or moral issues with no clear resolution, as well as inner conflict between truth and denial.
The Hanged Man Arcana Tattoo
No. 12 of the Major Arcana, The Hanged Man, as number 12, combines structure (1) and sensitivity (2), symbolizing the growth that comes through stillness and reflection.
Drawn upright, The Hanged Man represents a pause or delay, letting go of control or expectations, seeing the world from a new perspective, making a sacrifice for the greater good or long-term gain, and trusting in the flow, not forcing outcomes.
Reversed, The Hanged Man might suggest stagnation or an unwillingness to move forward, feeling stuck, trapped, or indecisive, resisting change or refusing to see things differently, or sacrificing too much or not enough.
Death Arcana Tattoo
A card with a feared reputation, no. 13 of the Major Arcana, Death, is not about doom and gloom, but a symbol of transformation, endings that lead to beginnings, and embracing change with courage and grace.
Death represents a significant life transition, shedding beliefs, jobs, relationships, habits, an invitation to surrender to transformation, and the end of a cycle that is often painful, but ultimately freeing.
When reversed, Death may suggest resisting change, even when it’s necessary, feeling stuck or stagnant, a fear of the unknown, or clinging to the past, and avoiding a natural ending.
Temperance Arcana Tattoo
Temperance is card 14, a number of healing and evolution.
Temperance represents inner balance, whether emotional, mental, or spiritual, as well as harmony in relationships and teamwork. It involves staying patient and trusting the process, navigating a healing phase after hardship, or finding a middle path that avoids extremes.
If drawn in reverse, Temperance can suggest an imbalance or unhealthy extremes, struggling to find flow or peace, impatience, a lack of foresight, pushing too hard, or disharmony in a situation that requires compromise.
Devil Arcana Tattoo
The Devil is card 15 of the Major Arcana. 15 is the number of confrontations with your inner chains, unhealthy attachments, and what owns you.
The Devil card is said to represent addictions, toxic relationships, or unhealthy habits, feeling trapped by materialism, fear, shame, or desire, being manipulated or manipulating others, facing the parts of yourself you’ve repressed, and a call to break free from false chains.
If drawn reversed, The Devil represents breaking free from something that once controlled you, seeing through the illusion or stepping out of denial, facing your shadow with courage, or being deeply entangled in something harmful and needing help.
The Tower Arcana Tattoo
Card 16, The Tower shakes loose what’s been keeping you stuck.
The Tower represents a sudden event that disrupts your plans or beliefs, revealing a shocking yet necessary truth, the collapse of illusions, ego, or outdated systems, an intense and sometimes painful awakening, and an opportunity to rebuild stronger and more authentically.
If reversed, The Tower may suggest resisting necessary change, a slow collapse rather than a dramatic one, internal breakdowns, or a chance to soften the blow by accepting change gracefully.
The Star Tattoo
Card 17, The Star, brings calm after collapse. It’s a sign that your soul is realigning and your spirit is reconnecting with something higher.
The Star represents hope restored after hardship or emotional loss, as well as healing, calm, divine inspiration, and renewed creativity. It signifies a time of peaceful clarity and inner alignment, and a feeling of being blessed, protected, and on the right path.
When reversed, The Star may suggest feeling discouraged, hopeless, or disconnected, struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel, doubting your inner guidance or worth, or a need for rest, faith, or reconnection.
The Moon Arcana Tattoo
The 18th card of the Major Arcana, The Moon, leads us into the deeper waters of the psyche, where clarity isn’t immediate, and not all is as it seems.
The Moon represents a time of confusion, illusion, or hidden truths, where listening to your intuition is crucial rather than relying on logic. This is a period for navigating dreams, fears, and emotional undercurrents, uncovering what lies beneath the surface, or a call to move forward slowly and mindfully.
Reversed, The Moon can indicate secrets coming to light, gaining clarity after a time of confusion, facing fears that were once buried, or being deeply lost in delusion, anxiety, or denial.
The Sun Arcana Tattoo
Major Arcana 19, The Sun, represents a breakthrough into clarity, confidence, and authentic self-expression.
The Sun represents happiness, confidence, and positivity, the truth revealed, in the best way, success and recognition after a period of darkness, your inner child’s joy, or a time of pure alignment with your true self.
When reversed, The Sun can suggest a temporary pessimism or burnout, struggling to see the positives or hidden blessings, feeling like your light is dimmed or ignored, or a need to reconnect with joy or your inner child.
Judgement Arcana Tattoo
Judgment, card no. 20 is the penultimate card of the Major Arcana, symbolizing rebirth after joy, the final preparation before the ultimate completion in The World.
Judgment represents a spiritual awakening or moment of clarity, a time to evaluate your past and grow beyond it, to hear your inner calling, let go of guilt, shame, or regret, or to experience a second chance, rebirth, or stepping into your higher self.
When reversed, Judgment may suggest doubt or fear about your purpose or direction, leading to avoidance of accountability or reflection, ignoring a wake-up call, or postponing needed change. This can also lead to feelings of unworthiness or a sense of being stuck in the past.
The World Arcana Tattoo
The 21st and final card in the Major Arcana, completing The Fool’s Journey and bringing everything full circle, The World closes the story with wisdom and mastery.
The World represents success and achievement after a long journey, a sense of wholeness, balance, and alignment, as a project, cycle, or phase reaches its natural and satisfying conclusion. This feeling is characterized by being in harmony with the world or your purpose, and a new cycle waiting to unfold.
If reversed, The World may suggest feeling unfinished, experiencing delays in reaching your goal or completing a cycle, resisting closure, fearing what comes next, or feeling disconnected or incomplete.
Persona Arcana Tattoo
The Persona series uses the Major Arcana from tarot as the backbone of its gameplay, characters, and storytelling. Each Arcana represents a psychological archetype, and characters, social links, and personas are all assigned to a specific one.
Every major character you bond with is assigned an Arcana as well as the Personas themselves. The main protagonist is always The Fool, symbolizing infinite potential. As the story progresses, you spiritually “walk” through the Arcana, culminating in Judgment (awakening, resolution) and The World (transcendence or rebirth).
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Arcana Tattoo
During Part 3 of the Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure series, named Stardust Crusaders, the series’ Stand powers are based on the Major Arcana.
Both the series protagonists and the villains have a Stand named after a card from the arcana, coupled with a colour (e.g., Hermit Purple, Tower of Grey, etc.).
Part 3’s main protagonist, Jotaro Kujo’s Stand, Star Platinum, was tied to the Star card, representing hope, legacy, and the strength that pierces through darkness.
Cardcaptor Sakura Arcana Tattoo
The Clow Cards are a magical deck of 52 sentient cards created by the sorcerer Clow Reed that share similarities to the Tarot system. Each card embodies a unique power or concept and often causes magical chaos until Sakura captures and tames it.
They work like a mix of tarot-style archetypes, elemental spirits, and utility or emotion-based forces.
Conclusion
As we draw the World, it’s time for our journey to come to an end. Like the High Priestess, we hope we have brought you balance in your search for the perfect Arcana Tattoo quest. But if you’re still not satisfied, why not draw again and start a new path down these Skull Tattoo Ideas, these Mythological Tattoo Designs, or these Alien Tattoos.
