The Chariot card and its symbolism presents a rich and detailed graphic full of information and clues that become very important in a card reading when this Arcana appears.
In the 15th century, at least one version of this card showed a woman in profile being carried in a triumphant chariot pulled by two winged horses, likely symbolizing the winged figure of Victory. A 17th-century card depicted Venus in a chariot without horses, holding reins that extended downward through a cloud.
The Chariot card and its symbolism in the Rider Tarot
In our deck (Rider Waite Smith), the charioteer is represented by a young person who has left their home. Waite says they are neither “royalty” nor “priesthood.” They are preparing to “set out” on their adventures, forging their own destiny.
Psychologically, the Chariot takes us on our outer journey to find our place in the world and on our inner journey of transformation.
There are a series of traditionally spiritual symbols that suggest the world of spirit is very much alive within us.
However, in this deck, the charioteer’s plans for victory should be considered material or external, but remember, we can turn daily life into a spiritual practice if we choose.
The Chariot card and its symbolism is a very positive figure that heralds absolute success, triumphs of all kinds, almost always achieved through your own personal strength, willpower, determination, courage, and decisiveness.
When The Chariot appears, it asks you to handle things by combining emotion with reason. Only through this balanced combination of intellect and feelings will you be able to give your best and achieve or conquer what you want.
The Chariot card and its symbolism explained
Associations and key concepts
Symbolism with the card upright:
Achievements through willpower, success, decisiveness, being determined, persistent, direction, ambition, confidence, victory, success, a journey, transportation, success with little or no support, overcoming obstacles, triumphing over adversity, coming to someone’s aid.
Symbolism with the card reversed:
Represents erratic direction, not having or losing control, aggressive attitudes, uncertain path, indecision, lack of direction, taking the long road, loss of will, scattering, a canceled trip, a broken vehicle, needing someone else’s help.
Kabbalistic:
Associated with the Hebrew letter Zayin ( ז )
Numerology:
Represents the number 7, the number of God in perfect unity, the greatest number in the cosmos. It is made up of 3 (the trinity) and 4 (the double duality or double dialectic). It is the most positive number of all, never negative, and in all philosophies and religions, it has a very important symbolism.
Here’s an article on the number 7 in tarot, from each Minor Arcana of each suit associated with the Major Arcana VII of the Chariot.
Element:
Associated with the element Water (🜄), and with summer
Astrology:
Associated with the Moon ( ☽ ), which represents inspiration, intuition, tenacity, beginnings, growth, development. Also with the sign of Cancer (♋)
The Chariot card and its highlighted symbolism
The number 7
The number 7 has historically been a mystical number. Its mythological and symbolic use is broad and deep. Many different religions and cultures view seven as spiritual, related to luck, and highly significant.
The 7s have a “consciousness of breaking through,” the ability to see old things in new ways and to revitalize their usefulness. Esoterically, the number 7 symbolizes the transformation that can occur through initiation.
Sphinxes
The sphinxes, one black and one white, which dominate much of the scene, represent the integration of opposites.
Everything in life functions with opposites, they need each other, one does not exist without the other: Good and evil, light and dark, positive and negative, yin and yang.
Thus, they represent the successful resolution of opposites, which the charioteer must always face, and it’s a challenge they overcome through sheer will.
They cannot go through life or make their journey with just one of these dualities; they need to integrate both to follow that “virtuous middle path” that Temperance teaches us.
This is not an easy integration; it requires great willpower, which is the key attribute of this card.
Crescent moons
The two crescent moons on the shoulders of the figure refer to the formative world, but the moon also deals with movement, influence, and development. In some decks, there is also a crescent moon at the top of their staff.
These lunar symbols indicate that we are often driven by invisible forces in our quest for goals or success.
Though the charioteer is very aware of both elemental matters and matters of the soul, these moons suggest they need to explore their motives further in their pursuit of success.
The crescents also refer to the rule of the moon in Cancer, and Waite also described them as “Urim and Thummim” (names given by the ancient Israelites to the instruments used to discern God’s will regarding a particular event).
Both words in the plural come from Hebrew, meaning lights and perfections. The singular forms –ur and tumm– have been connected by ancient scholars to the Babylonian terms urtu and tamitu, meaning oracle and instruction, respectively.
This symbolism perfectly aligns with the confidence the charioteer has in guiding their chariot (without needing reins).
Tunic
The symbols on the tunic are alchemical and astrological symbols, representing the spiritual transformation of the person. They are prepared for a journey of heightened awareness and personal growth.
While we’ve agreed that there’s a material relationship and pursuit in this chariot’s journey, the journey itself will transmute the charioteer’s soul, giving them a glimpse into the importance of spiritual discovery and the even greater significance of the findings they’ll obtain.
Starry canopy
In ancient Egypt, a similar blue starry mantle symbolized Nut, the goddess of the sky. In Greece, it reflected Zeus/Jupiter and Hera/Juno, god and goddess of the sky. Therefore, we can assume this canopy represents divine protection.
Square
The square on their chest represents the earth, a sign of willpower. Other interpretations suggest it represents order and the material world in the heart chakra, symbolizing the challenge of observing and acknowledging the spiritual and loving energy surrounding us, while looking straight ahead, pursuing our goals.
Crown
Their crown has a base of laurels and an eight-pointed star. The star is the sacred emblem of Ishtar, Great Mother Goddess of Babylon and Assyria, and Inanna, the cosmic mother of Sumer.
The myth, in any of its forms, alludes to that period of internal “ripening” from which we emerge fresh and creative. The laurels symbolize their victorious spirit.
Hindu shield
The Hindu shield is called lingam-yoni (a phallic spear joined to a female disk) and frequently appears in tantric iconography.
The yoni expresses the idea that the existence of the world is a continuous birth; the lingam expresses the notion of continuous fertilization.
In the chariot specifically, it represents the union of positive and negative, masculine and feminine, ultimately the combination of opposites.
Winged disk
Present on the front of the chariot, it represents celestial power, which stimulates inspiration. It is also a symbol of the sun god in numerous cultures.
Water – River
The water of the High Priestess (the mother of emotions) “backs” the charioteer, though they are looking the other way, and it is largely obscured by their chariot.
Water represents the emotional break we all must go through when leaving home and the need to learn how to control our emotions. It also references the division of the worlds of creation and pure spirit.
Wand
The Charioteer has no reins, only the magician’s wand to guide the chariot, which is controlled through willpower, just like the magician does. The driver relies on their intellect and awareness to guide them on this journey.
City
The city is behind them, indicating they have turned their back on civilization and materialism in order to seek spiritual answers that will bring them closer to their goals.
