The Sun Tarot Card: Upright and Reversed Meanings Explained

• Card Name: The Sun
• Key Words: Success, Freedom, Joy, Sunshine
• Astrology: Sun
• Element: Fire

Card Description

The Sun card embodies the joy of life. The golden sun is the source of life, upon which all things depend for growth. The sun emits 21 rays of light, symbolizing the 21 Major Arcana cards excluding The Fool. A child with a beaming face and a joyful smile rides on horseback, emerging triumphantly from gray walls, foreshadowing escape from bondage and a gallop toward freedom. Above the child's head is a sunflower wreath and a familiar red feather, just like the one on The Fool and Death, said to represent transcendence over life and death and rebirth. Behind the gray walls, the ground is planted with golden sunflowers, resembling a man-made flower garden. But the child seems indifferent to this artificial beauty, instead choosing to dash toward that natural world without any embellishments, just like his exposed body—genuine, natural, and pure. Below the sun are four sunflowers, representing the four elements and also the four suits of the cards, with all four sunflowers facing the child rather than the sun. It seems to tell everyone that a pure, natural, and authentic individual riding upon the sun is a realm far beyond power and wealth, and at the same time, it is the fountain of happiness, just like the joy overflowing from the child's smile.

The interpretation of The Sun is also relatively straightforward; it can basically be summed up with one word: "auspicious." Whatever the matter, it's generally positive. As for the reasons behind the auspiciousness, they lie within the individual themselves. To put it bluntly, the querent's energy field is very favorable; in reality, it typically manifests as the person being open-minded, in good spirits, kind and approachable, and lively in conversation. Being around such a person makes you feel bathed in warm sunshine, and you can't help but wish they could stay forever to dispel gloom, boost morale, and keep evil spirits at bay. Unless someone in their heart fears the light due to deep shadows, who wouldn't love getting close to such a person? At a dinner party, who wouldn't want to bring them along? For a project, who wouldn't want to collaborate with them? Teachers, classmates, bosses, colleagues—who wouldn't want to be friends with someone like that? Everyone around them wishes they could tie the knot with them, naturally elevating their social value, and good opportunities naturally come knocking.

However, The Sun's interpretation has its subtle nuances, similar to The Star and The Moon, namely that it "may only reflect the querent's subjective feelings rather than the actual situation." Although in spreads mixing Major and Minor Arcana, Major cards often primarily reflect the querent's psychology, The Sun, The Moon, and The Star have their special qualities. For humans living on the ground, celestial bodies in the sky can be said to be unattainably high. Humanity has strived for thousands of years and only reached the Moon, while the Sun and distant stars are fundamentally impossible to touch. Compared to tangible human affairs like The Empress or The Tower, The Sun, The Moon, and The Star are more abstract existences to humanity, so naturally, their form and psychological meaning far outweigh their literal meaning.

The Sun also has a lesser-known basic meaning: "same-sex love." In early Tarot, the Sun card didn't feature a little boy on horseback but two little boys standing together, leading to the implication of "brotherly love." This brotherly love can certainly be platonic friendship, but it can also be romantic. Tarot is not inherently a product of religious belief; rather, it developed during the Renaissance and is associated with ancient Greek culture. In ancient Greece, fostering beautiful youths among the male elite was common, so Tarot has no particular opposition to same-sex love. Instead, it boldly depicts it on the Sun card.

Upright Meaning

1. Basic Meaning

Key Words: Bright prospects, vibrant energy, victorious desires, receiving noble assistance, sunshine everywhere.

The Sun is a card that brings happiness to your life and yourself. It represents an inner awareness that you understand challenges are important; they can test you, allowing you to maintain optimism toward life while rewarding you with small gifts of excitement. It also signifies that you know happiness is a choice, and it doesn't need to be tied to any tangible things around you.

2. Love and Marriage

Key Words: Mutual affection deepens, receiving blessings from loved ones, stepping into the wedding hall, dream lover appears, romance goes public, each other's feelings grow intimate day by day.

The Sun depicts a relationship between two people that is both creative and rich in fun, where childlike innocence and playfulness can be seen in everyday life at any moment. After a period of solitude, you open up to a new romance. You and your new partner travel to tropical regions or the Mediterranean, nurturing your emotions and enriching your lives.

3. Work and Study

Key Words: Goals achieved, positive initiative, meeting a famous teacher, bright work environment, abilities fully utilized, giving your all leads to success. For studies: proactive progress, rapid improvement in grades, smooth exams.

Your mind is broad, impressing others, and you gain respect and love in interpersonal relationships. You land a new job and achieve a sense of accomplishment, substantial rewards, and fulfillment from genuine investment. You love your work and unleash your creativity in it. Due to work relations, you're sent on a business trip to a warm climate country, such as Southeast Asia, Central/South America, or Egypt and vicinity.

4. Interpersonal and Wealth

Key Words: Savings increase, unexpected wealth, financial luck booms, lasting emotional bonds, relationships with friends grow intimate, more good friends, positive interactions.

The label of good fortune is on your forehead; your income rises, bank loans get approved. Your debts can be cleared, and the stocks you bought appreciate significantly. With extra income, you can afford long-desired high-end items like computers or cars.

5. Health and Lifestyle

Full of vitality, strong willpower, healthy body. Your physical functions gradually improve; you recover quickly from surgery and illness.

6. Other

Suitable for outdoor activities; breathing fresh air brings joy, pregnancy, fulfilling life.