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The Sun (XIX): meaning in tarot

Tarot · ~8 min read

The Sun is the nineteenth major arcanum of the Rider-Waite tarot. A card of joy, vitality and radiant success, it is one of the brightest in the deck. Here is its symbolism, its upright and reversed meaning, its nuances in love and at work, and a piece of advice for living with it as your card of the day.

Symbolism and description of the card

In the Rider-Waite, a great sun with a serene face beams down over a clear blue sky. In the foreground, a naked child rides a white horse, arms open, without fear or restraint: innocence rediscovered, spontaneity, trust in life. Behind the child, a wall and sunflowers that follow the light, symbols of flourishing and of growth turned toward what is alive.

Symbolically, the Sun is the card of clarity after the shadow. Where the Moon lights things only halfway, the Sun shows everything in broad daylight: nothing is hidden, everything becomes possible. It is the energy of simple joy, of shared success and of authenticity.

The card upright

Upright, the Sun can point to a moment of fullness and success. Symbolically, this evokes a project coming to fruition, a relationship blossoming, health regained, or simply a renewed joy in living. It is one of the most positive cards in the tarot.

This reading invites you to savour, to shine and to share. The Sun rewards authenticity: being fully yourself, without a mask, draws the light in. One possible avenue is to recognise what is going well in your life and to celebrate it rather than take it for granted.

The card reversed

Reversed, the Sun does not lose its glow: it tempers it. It can symbolise a joy that is slightly veiled, an optimism to qualify, a success that is slow to arrive, or an achievement you still doubt. The happiness is there, but something is stopping you from feeling it fully — fatigue, doubt, comparison.

In another reading, it invites you to reconnect with your inner light: not to let other people's gaze dim your own joy. Symbolically, this points to a need to reconnect with the simplicity and enthusiasm of the child on the card. A reversal never cancels the Sun: it only reminds you that light sometimes asks you to let it in.

In love

In love, the Sun is a warm card. Upright, it can evoke a flourishing relationship, a sincere closeness, a shared moment of happiness, or a phase where you dare to love out in the open. It values transparency and the simple joy of being together. Reversed, the card may invite you to rekindle a spark that has grown a little sleepy, or not to let doubts overshadow what is going well. It encourages you to cultivate lightness and gratitude within the bond.

At work

On the work front, the Sun can reflect recognition, a project bearing fruit, a healthy atmosphere, or a well-deserved success. One possible avenue is to dare to showcase your talents and to take pleasure in your progress. Reversed, the card may signal a success that is slow in coming, motivation that needs reviving, or a need to rediscover the pleasure in what you do. It reminds you that enthusiasm is often the best engine.

Advice (as a card of the day)

Drawn as your card of the day, the Sun invites lightness and gratitude. Symbolically, it suggests looking for the light in small things: a moment of laughter, a ray of warmth, a modest success. Dare to be yourself without hiding, and let your energy shine around you. It is a day to celebrate what is going well, rather than chasing after what is missing.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sun the best card in the tarot?

The Sun is one of the brightest and most joyful cards in the deck, often associated with success and happiness. No card, however, is "the best" in absolute terms: it all depends on the question and the context of the reading.

What does the reversed Sun mean?

It can symbolically evoke a veiled joy, an optimism to temper, or a success that is slow to arrive. Rather than a bad sign, see it as an invitation to find your own light and let it in.

What does the Sun with the Moon evoke together?

This pairing often tells of the passage from shadow to clarity: a confusion that dissipates, a truth that comes to light. The exact meaning always depends on the positions and the neighbouring cards in the spread.