The Sun Tarot Card Meaning
The radiant sun is the essential protagonist of this card, and the scene under the sun is where the card's meaning lies. The sun itself is the source of energy, and its rays are emitted from itself, not reflected, making it a luminary, quite different from the moon.
The sun's rays illuminate the world, from before the birth of humanity and propel all life forward. In the card, the child's fervent and innocent heart is used as a symbol of this meaning. The brightness of the earth is used to illustrate how the divine radiance of the sun is projected onto the world and how it influences humanity. Under the sun, there is a naked child riding a tall white horse. The horse is moving forward, as if it has just jumped out from within a wall. The appearance of a child and a white horse, rather than a pair of figures, is mainly to emphasize the connotations of freedom and independence, and to further emphasize the interactive relationship between the sun and the child on the ground, without losing the care and protection.
The sun depicted at the top of the picture has a kind and amiable face. The sun's rays are almost the same color as his "cheeks," and the rays are interspersed with two kinds of lines, one straight and the other wavy and darker, with clear differences. We clearly see that the straight rays divide the sun into twelve equal parts, although the top yellow straight line is missing, but overall it is the sun's cyclical operation of the twelve zodiac signs.
Each house has curved and turning lines, indicating that the light is abundant and full in every house. However, the exception is still the two houses on top, which do not have the two wavy lines that should be there. In addition to the picture, the clever use of the card number to make up for it. And the missing lines are not entirely due to the picture's limitation, it is deliberately left out of these obvious lines, in order to present the yellow lines, a total of 21, symbolizing the major arcana from number 1 to 21 and the fool card with the number 0. Including the straight line above ~ the middle of the Roman numeral XIX, there are 22 lines. However, what is to be expressed is actually a total of 24 rays of light, with 12 straight rays representing the meaning of the twelve zodiac signs, and the light has dotted lines, representing the influence within the house.
The golden sunlight, under the blue sky, almost fills the picture. Some other types of tarot sun cards will be like the moon, with dewdrops of "golden tears," but the Waite tarot sun card does not have tears like the moon. The sky in the card only has lines representing light and heat, but the sun's rays have extended to the ground, and it also has the meaning of nourishing life.
This naked child on the horse, wearing a wreath of sunflowers on his head, around his forehead, and with a long red feather on top of his head, represents a lively feature. The feather is red, still indicating a vigorous spiritual vitality. And the wreath worn on the child's head is also composed of small sunflower flowers, a total of twelve flowers, he is the child of the queen, wearing the luster of the twelve stars.
The child holds the flagpole in his left hand, holding high the red flag. The flag is a long red cloth, extending and unfolding in a wavy shape, and rolling over the slender flagpole, and we also see both sides of the flag. The meaning of red itself is passion and vitality, and there are many implications, and the red flag also represents a joyful celebration. The sun already has vitality and heat, and red also has the same meaning, the red flag is especially to emphasize, the existence of emotions and love among humans.
The red flag is also the focus of this picture, using this repetition to enhance the characteristics of the sun, and to imply the opposite meaning of death. The child under the sun holds the most colorful and rich life, and controls the energy source of life (not the fate spinning wheel). The red flag and the feather on the child's head echo the same color, and the contrast is the white horse ridden by the child.
The white horse is a symbol of active joy, naive vitality. The white horse combines the pure white color, fresh and innocent, and the action and vitality of the horse, representing noble spiritual will and high-level innocence. The white horse and the red flag are side by side, which is another picture of red and white contrast, full of mysterious energy.
The child and the white horse are behind a stone wall, which spans the entire lower part of the picture, occupying a considerable amount. This wall made of stone bricks presents a gray tone, symbolizing solidity and rigidity, and a pause, as well as a kind of indifferent attitude. It is a garden wall, and the wall is a boundary, implying the past and the receding. The wall under the sun also implies being favored and protected.
This child is naked, representing a pure heart, he opens his hands, stretches his limbs, showing a naive side. This posture presents a big character shape, which is a comfortable and leisurely stretch and a gesture close to cheering, and can also be seen as a pentagram pattern, which is a healthy development. The child rides a tall white horse, moving from the left side of the picture to the right, and it is also the moment when he jumps over the wall from behind the wall and lands, so from the posture of the horse and the child in the picture, it can be seen that it is the feeling of landing, so the child will present this posture of stretching limbs. This horse has no reins and bridles, and the child does not hold the horse, which is a complete trust and security.
On the upper edge of the garden wall, there are several sunflowers planted, which are standing upright. Sunflowers are a symbol of light, and also represent the sun. These are also a symbol of thriving. There are four sunflowers visible in the picture, representing the integration of the four elements again, and many symbols of unity in the card, implying the reproduction of life (and revealing the connection between one and four again). Each sunflower is a reincarnation of the sun, receiving energy and blooming life. Each sunflower also has dozens of petals, one sunflower has two layers, and the two left sunflowers have green leaves. These sunflowers are also connected with the sunflower wreath worn on the child's head, and the energy is concentrated on the child's head.
The Sun
The most obvious symbol on the card, the Sun represents illumination, clarity, warmth, vitality, and the divine source of life itself. It signifies a time of enlightenment and understanding, where things are seen without shadows and with full brightness.
Radiant Rays
The alternating straight and wavy rays emanating from the Sun symbolize the harmonious balance between intellect and intuition. The Sun’s rays touch everything, representing universal understanding and enlightenment.
Wall
The tall, sturdy stone wall protects the garden of sunflowers, symbolizing the boundaries that make a safe environment in which one can grow and thrive. It can also represent the filters with which we perceive our own personal realities, protected from outside influences.
Sunflowers
These large, vibrant flowers always turn their faces to the sun, representing the human desire to seek light and truth. They symbolize life, fertility, and joy. Their bright yellow color echoes the hue of the Sun itself, suggesting clarity and happiness.
Naked Child
Mounted on a white horse, the child represents purity, innocence, and the divine truth that resides in all of us. His nakedness is a sign of transparency, honesty, and a soul that’s unburdened by worldly concerns.
White Horse
This horse, full of grace and strength, signifies purity and the driving force of spirit. Riding without a saddle and bridle, the horse is in harmony with the child, representing unbridled and pure emotion that is in line with one’s spiritual mission.
Red Flag
The child holds a bright red flag, symbolizing action, vitality, and a declaration of one’s own truths. It’s an emblem of the desire to spread joy and light to those around.
