The Lovers Key Facts#
Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Lovers tarot card meaning, and its connection to love, work, and life, below some facts and an overview of the most important words connected to this Major Arcana card.
Upright | Love, harmony, partnerships, choices |
Reversed | Disbalance, one-sidedness, disharmony |
Yes or No | Yes |
Numerology | 6 |
Element | Air |
Planet | Mercury (as ruler of Gemini) |
Astrological Sign | Gemini (Golden Dawn) |
The Lovers Tarot Card Description#
To fully understand the Lovers tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, its colors, and symbolism.
The Lovers tarot card shows a naked man and woman resembling the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
The man and woman are standing beneath the angel of air Raphael whose name means “God heals”, symbolizing physical and emotional healing.
The element of air of Raphael is also associated with communication, the foundation for healthy relationships. Archangel Raphael blesses the man and woman and reminds them of their balance and agreement.
Behind the man, there is a tree of flames, which represents the man’s fiery passion that shapes his destiny. The twelve flames stand for the twelve zodiac signs, the symbol of time and eternity.
Behind the woman stands an apple tree with a snake wrapped around the trunk. This symbolizes humanity’s fall into temptation and into the realm of flesh and sensuality. This may take one’s focus away from the Divine.
In the background we see a mountain (a phallic symbol) and a river, which represents femininity.
The Lovers tarot card shows the union of two opposing forces, as well as the short pleasure of a moment before it is corrupted.
This functions as symbolism for all affairs: the initial phase of being committed to someone seems perfect and blissful.
Later on, we will see imperfections that might have been undesirable when we first met them.
The Lovers Tarot Card Meaning#
The Lovers tarot card in the upright position can imply that you have major life-changing choices to make or are faced with a dilemma. Temptation is often part of that choice or dilemma.
You may feel unsure about what direction you should take or who to trust. Or you may have to choose between contradicting and equally unifying options.
The Lovers in tarot advises you to don’t automatically go for the easy road (temptation). First, gather the information you need to make the right decision.
If you face the problem and contemplate it wisely, it will lead you on to greater things.
The Lovers Reversed#
In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Lovers in the reversed position.
Where the upright Lovers tarot card indicates love and harmony, the Lovers reversed stands for breakups, conflicts, missed connections, power struggles, and personal fears about commitment.
If you’re in a relationship, the card can indicate that you’re not on the same page anymore. The relationship started with you both feeling deeply connected on many levels but you don’t feel as close as you used to.
Are you having a lot of arguments or are you no longer sharing the same values? Do you disrespect each other pretty often?
If so, the Lovers tarot card advises you to consider if you still love the other person and to think about the positive and negative aspects of your relationship.
You may realize that your relationship is still worth fighting for or that the two of you have grown apart and that it’s time to separate and let go.
In both cases, hold on to your personal belief and do what is best for you both. Self-love and respect are also what the reversed Lovers card stands for. Accept who you are and try to see the value you offer in this world.
The reversed Lovers tarot card can also specify that you have been escaping accountability for your own actions. You may have made a choice that was based on your wish for instant fulfillment but are now blaming others for the consequences that are happening to you.
The card advises you to be accountable, learn from your mistakes and let go. Focus on your personal belief systems and values, and develop a deeper understanding of your true self. This will help you to make better choices and avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
The Lovers Tarot Career Meaning#
Because the Lovers in tarot is all about renewal, the card can symbolize choices or partnerships in career and money matters. This isn’t always positive though.
When our lives are fully focused on our personal relationships, it is easy to lose track of finances, overspend, and make outlandish purchases.
Resist the temptation to be impulsive at work or with investments, especially if you are unsure of which direction to take. Use this sense of uncertainty to fuel your inner search.
Take some time to meditate on these two questions: what is it that you really desire and what steps can be taken to achieve these goals?
- Don’t lose track of your finances
- Resist the temptation to be impulsive
- Meditate on what you really desire and how to accomplish this
The Lovers Tarot Love Meaning#
The main meaning of the upright Lovers tarot card is (pretty obvious) love, as well as romance, attraction, and perfect harmony.
If you’re single, hang on tight because the card can symbolize attraction or a choice about intimacy, but it does not predict a romance or multiple partners.
If you are in a relationship or already committed, this card indicates a beautiful, soul-honoring connection with a loved one that is literally and figuratively in the cards.
This interpretation can be stretched a bit, and can also include committed partnerships in business, friendship, and more.
There are several cards that reveal positive transitions in your love life when receiving them in Tarot Love Reading (and of course the Lovers is one of them!).
Getting this card in a Love reading is a sign that you can make your feelings and intentions clear while leaving room for the other person's response.
It also indicates desirability and harmony between people who are in love with each other, so if you’ve been wishing for the renewal of your relationship, the time is right.
- If you’re single, be ready for a red-hot romance
- If you’re in a relationship, the Lovers can symbolize alignment, intimacy, or a wish for deeper connection.
- Are you wishing for renewal? If so, consider what mutual action would support renewal
The Lovers Tarot Health Meaning#
Besides romance and love, the Lovers tarot card in a health context also represents the growth of your own subjective principles and beliefs, irrespective of what society dictates as norms. It’s about getting clear about your own values and finding harmony within yourself.
After the indoctrination of the Hierophant, it is now time to set your belief system and decide what’s important to you.
In the beginning, you may feel a little bit torn between your old thinking and new perspective gained as you learn from your experience, but this is the first step toward a greater spiritual awakening.
- Grow your own subjective principles and beliefs
- Decide what’s important for you
The Lovers in a Yes or No Reading#
Those seeking a yes or no answer often pull the Lovers tarot card since it deals with choices and feeling uncertain about a decision.
In a yes-or-no reading, the Lovers is a yes, because the card stands for love and attraction, though it also marks a consequential choice. Examine the options and evidence instead of using the card as an instruction to proceed.
The Lovers Tarot Card and Numerology#
The Lovers tarot card is associated with Six, the number of communication and harmony. The Lovers, bringing balance to each other’s lives, helping to settle the problems through mutual aid.
Six is also considered a mystical number. It is the combination of the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine as explained in many theories and even mentioned in Dan Brown’s book The DaVinci Code.
In this book, the six-pointed star, also known as the Star of David, is explained as a combination of Feminine and Masculine principles. The upright and inverted triangles together that create a six-pointed star represents this balance of masculine and feminine.
The Lovers Tarot Card and Astrology#
The Lovers is an archetype of shared energy between two people. Modern readers sometimes connect that theme with balance, beauty, and harmony.
In the Golden Dawn correspondence system, the Lovers is linked with Gemini, an air sign traditionally ruled by Mercury.
Waite's own card description does not assign the Lovers a zodiac sign.
The Lovers Tarot Card Combinations#
Because the Lovers tarot card has several different meanings, most readers look to surrounding cards to determine exactly what your Higher Self wants you to know about your present situation.
When paired with other Major Arcana cards, the message is even more powerful (for all readings) and Cups signifies that the spiritual communication being transmitted is love/relationship related.
The Lovers and the Hermit#
If you’ve been feeling alone and disconnected from love of every type, the Hermit and the Lovers tarot card are a combination that commonly appears.
Although self-care and focusing on your own needs is important, this pairing suggests that you should work on renewing the relationships that are important to you.
Don’t wait for them to make the first move. Reach out to friends and family that you miss in your life and work on rekindling what you once had.
The Lovers and the Empress#
When the Empress falls with the Lovers tarot card, warm feelings abound. The pairing can symbolize warmth and joy within valued relationships.
If you’re going through relationship problems or feuding with a family member, the pairing can prompt reflection on repair. If you are looking for love, it does not establish whether potential partners will appear.
So, prepare to make a choice.
The Lovers and the Five of Cups OR the three of swords#
The Lovers, when connected to the suit of Cups, is almost always related to love or romance. When it’s the Five of Cups that is in pairing with the Lovers, loss, and heartache are front and center. The same is true of the Lovers and the Three of Swords which represents rejection or separation.
Are you currently going through a heartbreak, divorce, or some other relationship severing? If so, it might feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
As difficult as it might seem, focusing on the positives in your life is the best thing that you can do at the present time.
Close your eyes and ask yourself this question: what do you still have to be grateful for? Embrace the answer you receive.
The Lovers and Judgement or Strength#
Judgement can symbolize reconsidering a past relationship, but it does not predict reconciliation or grant a wish.
The strength card can symbolize resilience in a relationship, but it cannot guarantee an unbreakable bond or that a difficult situation will improve.
The Lovers Tarot Card Designs#
Although I write all the descriptions based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, I use other decks too. And I love all the awesome decks out there!
Below you can find a small selection of beautiful Lovers tarot cards. If you drew a tarot card yourself and want to share this, I would love to hear from you!
Gabee Brandaõ via Behance.net 
Madina Korgan via Behance.net 
A Little Spark of Joy 
Floh Florence Pitot via Behance.net 
The Modern Way Tarot
The Lovers in a Reading#
That’s all for the Lovers tarot card meaning! If you have pulled the Lovers tarot card in your spread, did the meaning make sense to your situation in life? Do you have major life-changing choices to make or are you faced with a dilemma?
Just remember that this card advises you to not automatically go for the easy road (temptation). Make sure that you first gather all the information you need, before making a decision.
Are you a Tarot beginner? Learn how to read tarot in this Tarot Beginners Guide.
