Zodiac and Tarot: What Does 'The Death' Really Mean?
When you hear the name of this card, the Death tarot, does an image of a grim reaper wielding a scythe come to mind? When I first heard the name, the Japanese film Angels of Death popped into my head—the male lead, Zack, dressed in black and carrying a scythe. But this card isn't like that. It's the thirteenth card in the Major Arcana tarot deck. The meaning of the Death card does not refer to death in the literal sense. It symbolizes the end, transformation, and the opportunity for rebirth. Consider it the closing of one chapter and the opening of another. Keep reading to find out more!
The Death Keyword
Upright: Endings, transformation, change, transition, release
Reversed: Resistance to change, fear of endings, stagnation, holding on
What's in The Death Tarot Deck
At first glance, this Tarot card depicts a skeletal knight riding a white steed with blood-red eyes, while a figure kneels before him in submission.
Skeleton Knight: The skeleton symbolizes our eternal essence—that indestructible core. The knight clad in black armor heralds the inevitability of change and transformation.
White Horse: The steed embodies purity and strength. White represents the purifying nature of endings, reminding us that transformation inevitably leads to rebirth.
Those Bowing in Submission: Kings, clergy, and commoners alike lie prostrate beneath the horse's hooves. This signifies that change knows no distinction—neither power, wealth, nor status can escape its reach.
The Rising Sun: The morning sun ascending between twin towers in the background symbolizes hope and rebirth, declaring that after every ending, a new day dawns.
White Rose on Black Banner: The knight's banner bears a five-petaled white rose, an image signifying purity, eternity, and the beauty of transformation.
What Does The Death Tarot Card Mean
The Death Tarot card symbolizes transformation. Just as the seasons cycle through renewal, so too does life follow its own rhythms. It heralds the end of an old cycle and the beginning of a new chapter. Though unsettling at first, this shift often brings growth, healing, and opportunity—none of which would be possible without it.
The Death Meaning(Upright)
Love: In a love reading, the upright Death card suggests that old relationship patterns are coming to an end. If you're single, this may mean letting go of unhealthy attachments to make space for a new romance. If you're in a relationship, this card symbolizes a period of transformation—you'll either grow stronger together or realize it's time to part ways.
Career: In your career, the upright Death card signals a shift in your professional landscape. This could mean leaving your current job, changing industries, or embracing an entirely new role. While it may seem daunting, such a transition often paves the way for a more fulfilling path in life. Keep going!
Finance: Financially, this card signals the end of a certain financial phase. You may be paying off debts, changing your money management approach, or letting go of old financial habits. The key lies in embracing healthier, more sustainable strategies. Good luck!
Do not fear change. Rather than clinging to the past, view this as an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
The Death Tarot In Reversed
Love: When reversed, the Death card in love suggests resistance to moving forward. You may be clinging to an unhealthy relationship or refusing to accept necessary changes. Stagnation could be blocking your path to true happiness.
Career: In career readings, the reversed Death card often reflects being stuck in a job you've outgrown. Fear of change may be preventing you from pursuing better opportunities. This serves as a reminder to evaluate whether staying put truly aligns with your best interests.
Finance: This card inverted suggests clinging to outdated financial habits, such as overspending or avoiding long-term planning. Without breaking these patterns, financial progress will be difficult to achieve.
Tips: The reversed Death card urges you to release your fears. Change is inevitable; resistance only prolongs suffering. Embrace the transformation—even if the path ahead is uncertain. Trust that fortune may yet smile upon you.
Death Tarot Yes or No
When asked in a yes or no tarot reading, the Death tarot card usually leans toward “No”, but with a deeper meaning. It doesn’t mean complete rejection—it means “not in the current form.” The Major Arcana tarot card suggests that something must end or transform before you can move forward.
Yes, if you’re asking about starting fresh, leaving the past behind, or embracing change. In this case, the Death tarot card's answer leans toward "yes."
However, if you're asking about maintaining the status quo, avoiding change, or holding onto the past, the answer is "No." Here, the answer is "no," urging you to let go.
In short, the meaning of the Death tarot card in a yes/no reading is about transformation: an ending that clears the way for a new beginning.
Conclusion
The Death 13 tarot card doesn't predict physical death, but rather represents an ending that leads to rebirth. No matter what you're dealing with — love, career, money — this card is a good reminder that change is a natural law and an inevitable trend. When it's upright, it's like a friendly nudge to embrace change and fresh starts. But when it's reversed, it's a bit of a warning sign, telling us not to fight the waves of transformation.