What Does Water Symbolize on Tarot Cards?

Water is a well-known symbol used on twenty-eight individual cards in the seminal Rider-Waite deck of Tarot cards.

The symbols may or may not show up in all contemporary decks, but many modern Tarot decks will include variations of the same, widely accepted symbols.

Here's What Water symbolizes in Tarot

In Tarot symbolism, water comes in multiple forms — ranging from secluded pools, to bubbling rivers and streams, to wide oceans and seas. While each of these types of water may carry a more specified meaning, water in the simplest terms represents nourishment, emotion and intuition.

water in the simplest terms represents nourishment, emotion and intuition

Water is more prominent in the Minor Arcana cards, and is very often (but not always) linked to the Suit of Cups.

Water is also adaptable and shapeless. It both changes and is receptive. It is shaped and defined by what holds it, but it also offers sustenance and life's energy to everything near it.

Whenever cards depicting water make an appearance in a Tarot spread, it can be a good idea to take note of any cards surrounded by water, as they both have influence and are also easily influenced.

Here Are the 28 Tarot Cards in Which Water Appears

The Ace of Cups

The Five of Cups

The Eight of Cups

The Ten of Cups

The Page of Cups

The Knight of Cups

The Queen of Cups

The King of Cups

The Two of Pentacles

The Seven of Pentacles

The Two of Swords

The Three of Swords

The Five of Swords

The Six of Swords

The Eight of Swords

The Ten of Swords

The Ace of Wands

The Two of Wands

The Three of Wands

The Eight of Wands

The High Priestess

The Empress

The Emperor

The Chariot

Death

Temperance

The Star

The Moon

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Other Common Tarot Symbols