The Hierophant
Major Arcana · V
- tradition
- teaching
- institutions
- shared beliefs
- rebellion
- nonconformity
- dogma
- questioning the rules
In the picture
A religious figure in red robes and a triple crown sits between two pillars, raising his right hand in blessing. Two crossed keys lie at his feet, and two tonsured followers kneel before him.
Upright meaning
The Hierophant represents tradition and the institutions that pass knowledge on: schools, churches, mentors, established ways of doing things. The card suggests learning from those who came before, following a proven path, or finding meaning in belonging to a group.
Reversed meaning
Reversed, the established way feels wrong or too narrow. It can mean breaking with convention, questioning a teacher or a belief you were raised with, or being stuck in a set of rules that no longer fit. It favours finding your own way.
About the Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana are the trump cards of the deck, numbered 0 to 21 from The Fool to The World. Read in order they tell the story of a journey, and in a reading they tend to point to big themes and turning points rather than day-to-day events.
