Death is the 13thtrump or Major Arcana card in most traditional Tarot decks. It is used in Tarot, tarock and tarocchi games as well as in divination. The Death tarot card indicates Death itself, which is riding on a pale horse. In its hands are a black and white flag. In this tarot reading card, death is depicted as a skeleton, showing that skeletal bones are the only part of the living body that faces death and still survive. The protective covering that he is wearing shows that he is invincible and insurmountable, as no one has yet overcome death itself. The horse of Death is shown as white, the color of clearness. Death is also seen as the purifier of the soul. In the card a King is deceased, a woman and child are bowing down before death and a priest is standing before it. It demonstrates that Death does not discriminate between anyone or anything.
Description
Some decks, such as the Tarot of Marseilles and Visconti Sforza Tarot omit the name from the card, calling it "The Card with No Name", thus giving the card a broader and less frightening meaning. There are other decks that title Death as "Rebirth" or "Death-Rebirth."
Meaning in Divination
This card signifies, in any subject one is inquiring about, "giving up all that is superficial and concentrating on what is basic, fundamental and truly important" in the specific matter one is asking about. The Death card usually depicts the Grim Reaper, personified Death, sometimes riding a horse but more often wielding a sickle or scythe. Surrounding it are dead and dying people from all classes, including kings, bishops and commoners. The Rider-Waite tarot deck depicts the skeleton carrying a black standard emblazoned with a white flower along with the Crashing Towers from The Moon raising with The Sun setting behind them in the background. The number 13 card shows positive meaning in reverse reading.
Interpretation
According to Eden Gray and other authors on the subject, it is unlikely that this card actually represents a physical death, rather it typically implies an end, possibly of a relationship or interest, and therefore an increased sense of self-awareness—not to be confused with self-consciousness or any kind of self-diminishment. In fact, Eden Gray interprets this card as a change of thinking from an old way into a new way. The horse Death is riding is stepping over a prone king, which symbolizes that not even royalty can stop change. The card, drawn in reverse, can be interpreted as stagnation and the inability to move or change according to Eden Gray.
