Tarot Card The Hanged Man: Meaning and Interpretation

The Hanged Man, also known as The Victim or The Hanged One, is a major arcana card numbered 12 in the tarot deck. The card symbolizes the onset of a difficult period, voluntary sacrifice, insurmountable circumstances, or forced inaction.

The Hanged Man Archetype

The archetypal image of The Hanged Man is a martyr hero. The card symbolizes the decisive acceptance of inevitable changes for a higher purpose.

To understand this card's archetype, consider the legend of the Norse god Odin. He nailed himself to the world tree Yggdrasil, wounding himself with a spear and depriving himself of food and water for nine days. As a reward for his sacrifice, he gained secret knowledge, which he shared with his people. This is not the messianic sacrifice of Christ—Odin did it of his own free will.

Other examples include Apostle Peter, who was crucified upside down, and Prometheus, who sacrificed himself so humanity could receive fire.

Overall, The Hanged Man card is an archetypal image that reminds us that sometimes we must make difficult decisions because they will ultimately lead to good. It also helps us realize that sometimes we need to change our attitude toward life and learn to accept new circumstances to move forward.

The Symbolism of The Hanged Man Card

The Hanged Man shouldn't be considered a purely "negative" card if you closely examine its imagery.

At the center of the card, a man hangs upside down by his right leg from a crossbar, evoking the Christian crucifixion. His other leg is crossed over the one he hangs from. This pose symbolizes detachment from the material world and renunciation of earthly attachments.

The fact that he hangs by his right leg, not his left, indicates that this decision was voluntary. The Hanged Man’s hands are tied behind his back, signifying a restriction of freedom and a lack of control over the situation.

The Hanged Man's head seems to radiate light, hinting at spiritual enlightenment and the ability to see things from a different perspective due to the wisdom gained through sacrifice.

The crossbar is not a dead tree. It has sprouted, indicating life energy, renewal, and rebirth. The Hanged Man is neither dead nor dying; his face shows no suffering. Instead, he appears to be in a trance, suspended between life and death.

Overall, The Hanged Man card in the Waite deck carries profound symbolic meaning, reminding us of the necessity for change and a shift in our thinking.

The Key Meaning of the Hanged Man Card

The Hanged Man card predicts inevitable and likely painful changes, voluntary sacrifices, immersion in problems, and powerlessness before fate. It foretells a period of forced inactivity—any attempts to act will fail. The very name of the arcana warns that the more a person struggles to escape the noose, the tighter it will become around their neck. The arcana insists that one can survive this period (and perhaps even benefit from it in the future) by accepting change, being flexible, observing events from a distance, or sacrificing something important.

The arcana speaks of inevitable and painful changes

The Hanged Man card can also symbolize the need to set boundaries in relationships, stop fighting for control, and free ourselves from what holds us back in the past.

In a general sense, the card reminds us that sometimes we need to abandon habitual ways of thinking and acting.

The key aspect of the Hanged Man card is overcoming the fear of change and being ready to face new challenges, even if they seem overwhelming. It helps us realize that adaptability can become a strength, not a weakness.

General Meaning of the Hanged Man Card in the Upright Position

The Hanged Man card is one of the most symbolically significant cards in Tarot. Its general meanings in the upright position can be as follows:

Adaptation and Adjustment: New circumstances require you to adapt. This can relate to changes in work, residence, relationships, etc. The card may also indicate the need to abandon familiar ways of thinking.
Spiritual Development: The Hanged Man reminds you to prioritize the spiritual over the physical, seeking balance between material and spiritual aspects of life.
Lack of Control: In some cases, the Hanged Man card can indicate a lack of control over a situation or restricted freedom of action.
Self-Sacrifice: This card symbolizes the willingness to make selfless acts to achieve important goals, even if it means giving up personal desires.
Hard Choices: The card may indicate a difficult choice between different life paths and the need to make a decision that could be unpopular or challenging.
Reevaluation of Values: The appearance of the Hanged Man can signify a reevaluation of your values and the emergence of new priorities in life.

The Hanged Man speaks of a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of a higher goal

Overall Meaning of the Hanged Man Card in Reversed Position

When the Hanged Man card appears in a reversed position, its meaning intensifies, according to tarot reader zoomboola.com. Below are the general meanings of the Hanged Man card when it appears reversed:

Resistance to Change: Necessary changes were made too late (or not made at all), and the price for maintaining the status quo is inevitable.
Pointless Sacrifice: A sacrifice that won't bring the desired results and will lead to a waste of time, energy, and resources.
Material Attachments: The lack of desire or ability to detach from them; reluctance to give up habits that hinder spiritual growth.
Violent Situations: The card may indicate a situation involving violence, both physical and moral. Negative experiences that can lead to psychological trauma.
Missed Opportunities: Unfulfilled potential that could have led to positive changes in the querent's life but was missed.
Loss of a Loved One: The appearance of the card in a reversed position can indicate the imminent loss of a loved one. This can be either physical death or the loss of important connections.

In a reversed position, the Hanged Man is a rather gloomy card

The Meaning of the Hanged Man Card in Love in the Upright Position

When the Hanged Man card appears in a love reading in the upright position, it can have the following general meanings:

A crisis in the relationship, where the couple struggles to communicate, potentially leading to conflicts and separation.
Fading feelings and a lack of emotional closeness in the relationship.
A sense of loneliness and isolation, with one partner unable to find understanding and support from the other.
A decline in intimacy, which can be caused by both physical and emotional issues.
Emotional exhaustion and fatigue in the relationship, possibly prompting one partner to take a break.
Everyday problems that prevent enjoyment of the relationship or add tension to personal life.

Overall, the Hanged Man card in a love reading in the upright position indicates a barren period in the relationship, where the couple cannot find common ground and solve their problems, leading to new difficulties and uncertainty.

The Arcane Indicates a Barren Period in the Relationship

The Meaning of the Hanged Man Card in Love in Reverse Position

When the Hanged Man card appears in reverse in a love reading, its meaning may be opposite to its upright position. Below are the general meanings of the Hanged Man card when it appears reversed in Tarot readings related to love:

Fear of change, a desire to maintain the "love status quo," and avoid uncertainty or new challenges, even if it strategically harms the relationship.
Strong material attachments that may hinder the relationship's growth. Arguments over money or property.
A desire to break free from a tiresome relationship. One partner feels that the current union holds them back.
Sacrifice for the partner: The card may indicate the querent's sacrifice for their partner – giving up plans, freedom, and desires for the future of the relationship.

Overall, the Hanged Man card in reverse in a love reading may indicate fear of change, reluctance to take risks, material attachments, insecurity in the relationship, and a lack of spiritual connection.

The card speaks about the fear of changes in the sphere of love

The Hanged Man as the Card of the Day

When drawing the card of the day, if The Hanged Man appears, its meaning can be as follows:

Upright position: The Hanged Man predicts a challenging and tense day. Essentially, you just need to get through the day and accept that nothing will change for the better today. It's better not to take any action and simply observe the situation, gaining valuable experience. Think about what you are willing to do to get rid of a problem in your life. Are you ready to make sacrifices? The Hanged Man makes you reflect on the eternal, reassess your intentions, and understand what you truly want to achieve.
Reversed position: fear of change and rejection of new opportunities. In this context, The Hanged Man in the reversed position can help you realize your fears and obstacles that may hinder you from accepting new opportunities and moving forward.

What the Hanged Man Card Warns About

The Hanged Man card in Tarot can warn and advise depending on the context of the question or spread. In general, its symbolism may indicate the following:

The need for change, letting go of the old to make room for the new.
Willingness to make sacrifices and the need to make difficult decisions.
The necessity of adapting to new circumstances.
A warning about fear and doubts that may hinder making tough decisions and moving forward.
It's time to look at familiar things from a different perspective to gain a clearer understanding of what is happening.

Anita Martin astrologer