The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card: Deep Symbolism and Meaning

Where does the Wheel of Fortune sit in the Major Arcana?

The Wheel of Fortune, called Bánh Xe Số Mệnh in Vietnamese, is card number 10 in the Major Arcana of 22 cards, sitting between The Hermit (number 9) and Justice (number 11) in numerical order. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck, printed in 1909 with artwork by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of A. E. Waite, depicts this card with a large wheel and creatures in the four corners. Many later decks redraw it in their own way, so the details in the artwork can differ from deck to deck.

How did Waite describe the Wheel of Fortune in his 1911 book?

In The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), Waite writes that in this symbol he continues in the manner of Éliphas Lévi's reconstruction, which had produced several variants. Waite says that using Egyptian symbolism was reasonable for his own purposes, as long as no theory of origins is implied; he presents Typhon in the form of a serpent. He also notes that the symbol is not purely Egyptian, because the four Living Creatures of Ezekiel stand in the four corners of the card, and the wheel itself, following other instructions from Lévi, relates to Ezekiel's vision.

According to Waite, together with the French occultist and within the design itself, this figure represents the eternal motion of a fluid universe and the course of human life. The Sphinx is the state of equilibrium within that. On the wheel is inscribed the transposition of Taro into Rota, interchangeable with the letters of the Holy Name.

The divinatory meaning Waite gives for this card: Waite writes: "Destiny, fortune, success, elevation, luck, felicity. Reversed: Increase, abundance, superfluity." A close rendering would be: destiny, fortune, success, elevation, luck, happiness. The reversed meaning according to Waite: increase, abundance, superfluity. It should be noted that the reversed meaning Waite lists here carries a positive shade, unlike the common modern understanding of reversed meanings.

What does the Wheel of Fortune mean in present-day Tarot reading?

In present-day Tarot reading, the Wheel of Fortune upright is understood as changing fortune, a new cycle opening; reversed it is usually understood as unexpected obstacles and a feeling of losing control. The keywords that usually accompany it are fortune, cycles, change. This is also the meaning used by the Nhật Nguyệt card-drawing tool.

A clear distinction is needed: the Rider-Waite-Smith deck was printed in 1909, with artwork by Pamela Colman Smith; the divinatory meaning Waite gives in his 1911 book is his own body of meaning, often different from modern meanings. So one should not assign modern meanings to Waite, nor use Waite's meanings as a substitute for present-day reading.

How are the symbols on the card understood?

This section is based on Waite's description in the 1911 book and on common present-day understandings, without adding details not found in that description.

• The wheel and the letters: Waite notes that on the wheel is the transposition of Taro into Rota, interchangeable with the letters of the Holy Name. Present-day reading often links those letters to the divine name in the Kabbalah tradition, but this is an added interpretation, not Waite's own wording.
• The Sphinx: Waite writes that the Sphinx is the state of equilibrium within the motion of the universe and of human life. Present-day reading sees the Sphinx as a symbol of the question and the mystery a person must face.
• Typhon in the form of a serpent: Waite says he presents Typhon in the form of a serpent. Present-day reading often links the serpent to the descending force, chaos or ordeal.
• The four Living Creatures of Ezekiel in the four corners: Waite notes the four winged creatures in the corners, and according to Lévi they are tied to Ezekiel's vision. Present-day reading often links them to the four elements, the four seasons and the four fixed signs of the zodiac.

How do other decks draw the Wheel of Fortune?

Not every deck draws this card the same way. In the Tarot de Marseille, the wheel image is usually attached to figures climbing up and falling down, emphasising the ups and downs of fate. The Thoth Tarot, published by Aleister Crowley in 1943, draws a cosmic wheel with rays of light and astrological symbols. So when looking things up, one should first check which deck the card belongs to before applying a meaning.

In Nhật Nguyệt's understanding

In Nhật Nguyệt's understanding, the Wheel of Fortune is a reminder of cyclicality: whatever it is, there comes a time when it changes, and both favourable and difficult periods do not stay still forever. This card does not foretell what will happen, nor does it guarantee good luck or bad; it only suggests that the reader should look again at which part of a turning cycle they are in. When reading this card, we should keep an observing attitude rather than surrendering entirely to "fate".

Today's suggestions

Nhật Nguyệt's suggestions:

• Work: if you are waiting for a change, prepare a plan for both the favourable and unfavourable direction, rather than relying on luck alone.
• Relationships: a transitional period easily makes emotions rise and fall; it is better to say clearly what you need than to guess the other person's mind.
• Finances: avoid big decisions just because you feel "lucky right now"; check the numbers and the backup plan again.
• Health: a sudden change of pace can cause fatigue; keep daily habits steady and see a doctor when there are unusual signs.

Quick reference table: Bánh Xe Số Mệnh upright and reversed

Overview article on the topic: Tarot Basics: The 78 Cards and the Meanings of the Major/Minor Arcana