Zodiac and Tarot: What Does 'The Hanged Man' Really Mean?

I felt an immediate connection to this Tarot card the moment I saw it. The upside-down figure in the image was so peculiar! Why was he hanging upside down? I looked up information right away and found out that it was the twelfth card in the Major Arcana of the Tarot deck.

Upright: Calmness, sacrifice, self-sacrifice, letting go, waiting, new perspectives, empathy.

Reversed: Delays, sluggishness, selfishness, procrastination, utilitarianism.

This Tarot card depicts a figure suspended upside down by one foot, bearing a striking resemblance to Saint Peter in his inverted state! However, while the inverted cross symbolizes martyrdom, the Hanged Man Tarot reveals a T-shaped tree.

T-shaped Tree: Symbolizes the Tree of Life

Legs crossed, hands intertwined: Voluntary acceptance of punishment or self-sacrifice.

Legs forming a 4: 4 represent stability and a state of calm. The triangle symbolizes the spiritual realm, while the cross symbolizes the material world. The inverted state signifies the Hanged Man submerging the material into the spiritual state, symbolizing the completion of a great work.

Rope: Outdated notions, past influences, binding oneself.

Halo: Enlightenment and wisdom gained through suffering and perseverance.

Head downward: A pivotal shift, viewing matters from a new angle, focusing attention on the head.

This image reveals that the Hanged Man is not passively trapped, but actively chooses a “pause” to gain fresh insight.

Drawing the Hanged Man upright is actually a positive omen! It reminds us to pause and view everything from a fresh perspective.

Love: When it comes to love, the upright Hanged Man card can suggest that your relationship might go through a phase where it feels like it's stuck or even temporarily stops moving forward. This may require you to be more patient or understanding. It also represents selfless love, encouraging you to be kind and not get too caught up in your own thoughts. Right now, your love is like a soft, steady flame—not fiery passion, but silent protection.

Career: In matters of work and career, the Hanged Man card suggests that things are entering a brief period of rest or transitioning into a new phase. If you haven't yet achieved the desired results, there's no need to feel anxious. This is precisely the right moment to pause and reassess your plans. It also gently encourages you to explore more meaningful activities—such as public service, volunteer work, or necessary responsibilities—whose contributions can help you gain a fresh perspective on things.

Finance: In finance, when you see the Gallows card, it signifies some form of economic pressure—perhaps you're feeling a bit strapped for cash, with savings running a bit low.

Tips: Take your time and don't rush. Learn to wait and look at problems in a new way.

Forget about the things that used to hold you back, and see things in a new way. Things may seem to be in a temporary standstill, but that's just because they're waiting for the right moment to act.

Love: When it comes to love, the reversed Hanged Man card often shows that a relationship has hit a wall and might even have become cold. One partner may be too selfish, not willing to share, or more interested in their own enjoyment than the other's feelings.

Career: When the Hanged Man card appears reversed, it symbolizes excessive stagnation or delay. You may have been waiting for a “better time,” only to miss the optimal moment for action. This also suggests that fear of failure is preventing you from taking that crucial step, leaving you paralyzed.

Finance: In finance, the Hanged Man card suggests a myopic or practical approach to managing money. You may be focused on short-term goals and not think about what will happen in the future. If you keep waiting to decide, you might miss out on great opportunities. This card tells you to be careful of possible losses caused by being selfish or stubborn.

Tips: Stop hesitating—leap! Leap and make that change! Action is the key to making breakthroughs.

If Justice represents "balancing action and outcome," then the Hanged Man tarot card meaning is the embodiment of "sacrifice yielding new perspective." It's a chance to pause, let go, and grow!