Minor Arcana: The 56 Cards of the Four Tarot Suits
The Minor Arcana contains 56 cards in four suits: Wands (fire), Cups (water), Swords (air) and Pentacles (earth). Each suit has ten numbered cards from Ace to Ten and four court cards – Page, Knight, Queen and King. While the Major Arcana shows big life themes, the Minor Arcana describes daily life: feelings, thoughts, actions and material questions.
A simple key helps: the suit tells you which area of life is involved, the number tells you the stage. An Ace is a beginning, a Five a conflict or loss, a Ten a completion. That way even an unfamiliar card can be placed quickly.
All cards at a glance
Wands in Tarot: The Meaning of All 14 Wands Cards
Wands are the suit of fire. They stand for energy, passion, initiative, creativity and the courage to take things on. When Wands appear, the reading is often about projects, goals and motivation – and about what you burn for.
Cups in Tarot: The Meaning of All 14 Cups Cards
Cups are the suit of water. They speak of feelings, love, friendship, intuition and everything that touches you inside. Cups often appear in relationship questions and show how your emotional balance is doing.
Swords in Tarot: The Meaning of All 14 Swords Cards
Swords are the suit of air. They stand for thoughts, words, truth, decisions and conflict. Because the mind can both clarify and wound, many Swords look heavy at first – but above all they show where clarity is needed.
Pentacles in Tarot: The Meaning of All 14 Pentacles Cards
Pentacles – called Coins or Disks in some decks – are the suit of earth. They stand for money, work, the body, security and everything tangible. Pentacles show how you build, care for and use your resources.
Reading reversed cards
A reversed card does not turn into its opposite; its energy is slowed, turned inward or not yet mature. Ask yourself: what is keeping this theme from unfolding right now?
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are in the Minor Arcana?
The Minor Arcana has 56 cards: four suits with ten numbered cards (Ace to Ten) and four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) each.
Which element belongs to which suit?
Wands belong to fire, Cups to water, Swords to air and Pentacles (also called Coins or Disks) to earth.
What do the numbers mean in the Minor Arcana?
Ace: beginning and potential. Two: choice and partnership. Three: growth. Four: stability. Five: conflict. Six: balance. Seven: challenge. Eight: movement. Nine: near completion. Ten: completion and transition.
Which Minor Arcana cards mean yes?
These count as a clear yes: Ace of Wands, Two of Wands, Three of Wands, Four of Wands, Six of Wands, Eight of Wands, Page of Wands, Knight of Wands, Queen of Wands, King of Wands, Ace of Cups, Two of Cups, Three of Cups, Six of Cups, Nine of Cups, Ten of Cups, Page of Cups, Knight of Cups, Queen of Cups, King of Cups, Ace of Swords, Ace of Pentacles, Three of Pentacles, Six of Pentacles, Eight of Pentacles, Nine of Pentacles, Ten of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles, Knight of Pentacles, Queen of Pentacles, King of Pentacles.