Tarot 21 The World
By James Donahue
The World is the final Tarot card in the Major Arcana. A dancer, clad in scarf and holding two wands dances in celebration within an oval wreath. The wreath symbolizes completion. The circle is closed. The Fool’s journey has reached its conclusion.
The two wands depict the dual nature of the person appearing within the circle. While the person appears as a woman, some say it may be, in fact, a hermaphrodite, since the scarf hides the truth. Thus the duality of his/her representation is even further expressed.
In the four corners of the card appear the four “living creatures” as described in the Book of Ezekiel: a man, a bull, a lion and an eagle. Some say these faces represent the four elements, other interpretations suggest they show the foundation of the material world, and perhaps the four seasons.
Of course, the number four is significant. The fourth Tarot card is the Emperor, representing human power and authority.
By James Donahue
The World is the final Tarot card in the Major Arcana. A dancer, clad in scarf and holding two wands dances in celebration within an oval wreath. The wreath symbolizes completion. The circle is closed. The Fool’s journey has reached its conclusion.
The two wands depict the dual nature of the person appearing within the circle. While the person appears as a woman, some say it may be, in fact, a hermaphrodite, since the scarf hides the truth. Thus the duality of his/her representation is even further expressed.
In the four corners of the card appear the four “living creatures” as described in the Book of Ezekiel: a man, a bull, a lion and an eagle. Some say these faces represent the four elements, other interpretations suggest they show the foundation of the material world, and perhaps the four seasons.
Of course, the number four is significant. The fourth Tarot card is the Emperor, representing human power and authority.