The meaning of the scales, analyzed from a symbolic perspective, undoubtedly—and almost obviously—refers to equality and balance. It’s the perfect visual measure when something is “out of control.”
The scales, in all their precision, show us which part of our life is out of balance: when they tilt too much to one side, we know that corrective action needs to be taken.
The meaning of the scales in Tarot
The scales represent weighing the evidence, and they are balanced to show that evidence should stand on its own.
Universally depicted as a blindfolded woman, the blindfold represents objectivity, while the sword she holds symbolizes punishment.
Together, it suggests that justice is blind, all evidence will be accepted and treated equally, and from that judgment, punishment will be applied to those who deserve it, while the innocent will go free.
The meaning of the scales in the Rider-Waite Tarot cards
The scales appear in two cards of our Rider-Waite Tarot deck: The Major Arcana of Justice and the Minor Arcana of the 6 of Pentacles.
Justice
In the Justice card, the scales are held in the left hand, the intuitive hand, showing that logic must be balanced by intuition.
When the Arcana of Justice appears in a reading, it’s a call to examine what we have done in the past, to take stock of our actions and behavior.
However, this card also encourages us to consider future actions, balance the equation, take responsibility, and ensure that in all matters, we remain as fair as possible in our efforts.
The meaning of the scales, as they appear before you, can help you analyze your responsibilities and obligations and see if you have met the necessary requirements.
This is not a negative experience, as there is no judgment or disapproval here. Justice simply lays out the facts as they are, without bias.
On a more mundane and everyday level, drawing this Major Arcana can also indicate legal matters—legal processes that need to be resolved, a court case, or a dispute to be settled in a rational and formalized way.
The accompanying cards may tell us what kind of legal issue it is: A marriage or divorce, a purchase or sale, financial matters, contracts, signatures, inheritances, and so on.
The 6 of Pentacles
In the 6 of Pentacles, the meaning of the scales primarily represents equality and justice.
In this card’s illustration, we see a wealthy and high-status figure handing money to two beggars.
In their left hand, they hold perfectly balanced scales, and with their right hand, they give money to the beggars.
The scales indicate that while this person enjoys abundance and prosperity, they are able to share it with others, balancing the forces at play.
The scales here also emphasize the need for balance, good judgment, and prudence.
The right hand makes a gesture with the fingers representing the Kubera mudra, which symbolizes wealth. This mudra is used as a means of signaling the granting of wealth and abundance in one’s life.
The beggars in the image represent the idea that we can always receive help from someone or something in difficult times.
At the same time, the meaning of the scales reminds us that this help is temporary; becoming too dependent on it can prevent you from making progress, leaving you stagnant and unable to provide for yourself the essentials you need to move forward.
