The Hanged Man: Modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
RWS Cards In Context › Major Arcana › KEY XII: The Hanged Man
‘KEY XII: The Hanged Man’
RWS Hanged Man: Upright Meanings
Surrender, Suspension, Sacrifice, Divination
In A General Context
A period of pause, surrender, and gaining a new perspective. A project being put on hold, a voluntary break from a routine, a "limbo" state between life stages, a moment of profound realisation.
In a Love/Relationship Context
A relationship in a state of suspension or a necessary pause. Putting a wedding on hold, a "let's take a break" conversation, sacrificing your own desires for the good of the partnership.
In a Money Or Career Reading
A career pause or a project being deliberately suspended. Taking a sabbatical to reconsider your path, a project being put on the back burner, a necessary financial sacrifice for a long-term gain.
In a Spiritual Context
The spiritual practice of surrender and the sacrifice of the ego. A deep meditative state, a "dark night of the soul" that leads to enlightenment, letting go of control and trusting in the Divine.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Pause. Surrender. Let go of control. Look at the situation from a new perspective.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
A necessary suspension of activity. A period of waiting. A profound shift in understanding.
As Obstacles
A state of limbo is blocking progress. A situation is stuck and cannot move forward. A necessary sacrifice is being avoided.
As Hidden Energy
An unrealised need to pause and reflect. A new perspective is available if you are willing to surrender your current view.
As Resources/Alliances
The ability to pause and see things differently. A willingness to make a necessary sacrifice.
The Hanged Man: RWS Reversed Meanings
In A General Or “Open Reading”
Resistance to change, stalling, or a needless sacrifice. A stubborn refusal to let go of a bad situation, procrastinating on a major decision, a sacrifice that leads to nothing. Like Death reversed.
In a Love Or Relationships Reading
Stagnation or a refusal to make a decision in a relationship. Staying in a dead-end relationship out of fear, a refusal to commit or to break up, a pointless argument that goes nowhere.
In a Money Or Career Reading
Stalling on a major career decision or a project that is stuck in limbo. Refusing to leave a job you hate, a project that is going nowhere due to indecision, a financial sacrifice that was a complete waste.
In a Spiritual Context
A resistance to spiritual growth. A refusal to surrender the ego, a spiritual practice that has become stagnant, trying to force a spiritual breakthrough that is not happening.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
A warning against stalling. It is time to stop resisting and make a decision, or to stop making pointless sacrifices.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
A period of frustrating stagnation. A decision will be endlessly delayed. A sacrifice will be made in vain Like the 6 of Pentacles reversed.
As Obstacles
Your own stubbornness and resistance to change. A pointless delay is preventing progress. A refusal to see the situation differently.
As Hidden Energy
A hidden fear of change is causing you to procrastinate. A secret resistance to letting go is undermining the situation. Like The Moon.
As Resources/Alliances
Help comes from finally making a decision. Realising a sacrifice is pointless and cutting your losses.
RWS The Hanged Man Card: Paired Combinations
The Hanged Man With Major Arcana Cards
The Hanged Man & Death
The Hanged Man (↑) & Death (↑): Transformation through surrender. A turning point reached when resistance ceases, clearing space for renewal or liberation from outgrown ties.
The Hanged Man (↓) & Death (↑): Change resisted. Delay in ending what is already complete. Progress resumes once acceptance replaces fear.
The Hanged Man (↑) & Death (↓): Pause before inevitable transition. Movement slows while external closure stalls. Patience allows events to settle before rebirth begins.
The Hanged Man (↓) & Death (↓): Stagnation mistaken for safety. Refusal to move forward brings decline rather than preservation. Release restores vitality.
The Hanged Man With Minor Arcana Cards
The Hanged Man & Eight of Swords
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Eight of Swords (↑): Restriction met with insight. Constraint endured willingly for the sake of understanding or spiritual growth. Perspective changes as inner freedom expands.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Eight of Swords (↑): Frustration without comprehension. The querent feels trapped yet overlooks available options. Awareness of self‑imposed limits brings relief.
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Eight of Swords (↓): Gradual release from confinement. Clarity dawns and external barriers weaken in response to inner decision.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Eight of Swords (↓): Freedom mishandled or ignored. Habit or fear recreates restraint even once bonds are cut.
The Hanged Man & Four of Cups
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Four of Cups (↑): Rest from pursuit. Emotional withdrawal opens vision to new meaning. Contentment follows once purpose is quietly renewed.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Four of Cups (↑): Disinterest lapses into inertia. Reflection turns aimless and opportunity drifts by unnoticed. Action restores balance.
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Four of Cups (↓): Reawakening after pause. Lost motivation returns through revived curiosity or invitation accepted.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Four of Cups (↓): Apathy deepened by uncertainty. Detachment mistaken for peace. Reconnection required before progress can resume.
Waite’s Divinatory Hanged Man Meanings
“ Upright: Wisdom, circumspection, discernment, trials, sacrifice, intuition, divination, prophecy. Reversed: Selfishness, the crowd, body politic.”
Additional Notes: RWS Hanged Man
Find Waite’s meanings interesting? Learn about the rest of his Major Arcana cards.
RWS ‘Hanged Man’ Symbolism
A.E Waite’s Hanged Man card depicts a figure hanging upside down from a T-shaped cross made of living wood. He is suspended by one foot, while the other is bent behind his knee. Despite his position, his face is serene and composed, and a halo of light emanates from his head, signifying a spiritual awakening. He is not being punished; he is in this state of suspension by his own choice. The scene is an allegory for the spiritual principle of surrender and the wisdom that comes from seeing the world from a completely different point of view.
Question: Is The Hanged Man a card of punishment?
No. This is a common misinterpretation. Unlike the figure in some older decks, the Hanged Man in the RWS system is in his position voluntarily. His serene expression indicates that this is a willed sacrifice for the purpose of gaining a higher wisdom, not a punishment.
Meditations on The Hanged Man
What is within my control vs outside of my control?
What belief or perspective do I need to sacrifice to live more in alignment with Divinity?
Read The Full Series: RWS Cards In context
Series Introduction (includes: 78 cards links list; further articles on the Suits, Court Cards, etc.; references & bibliography; study tips and more.)
Quick RWS Links: Hub Articles
Major Arcana | Suit of Wands | Suit of Cups | Suit of Swords | Suit of Pentacles | Court Cards
Current Suit: Major Arcana
The Fool | The Magician | The High Priestess | The Empress | The Emperor | The Hierophant | The Lovers | The Chariot | Strength | The Hermit | Wheel of Fortune | Justice | The Hanged Man | Death | Temperance | The Devil | The Tower | The Star | The Moon | The Sun | Judgement | The World
Comprehensive guide to the 22 Major Arcana cards of the Rider Waite Smith tarot system. Learn what the Major Arcana cards are and how divinatory readers have evolved their RWS Major Arcana practice in the last 100 years.