Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in one place, not sure of what to do next? When it shows up, The Hanged Man is here to show you why slowing down and looking at things differently can help. In this post, we’ll learn what The Hanged Man means, what its symbols are, and how you can use it to grow and feel more connected to yourself.
Card Overview
The Hanged Man is the 12th Major Arcana card. It is after the Justice Card and before the Death card. This placement shows how The Hanged Man fits into the bigger story of the Major Arcana. It's a bridge between understanding and transformation.
The Story These Cards Tell
When you put these three cards together, they help you with making choices and decisions:
- Justice: First, you take a good, look at your choices. What’s fair? What’s right? You need to own up to what you've done and what your next step is.
- The Hanged Man: Then, you hit pause. Instead of rushing forward, you stop to think and see things from a new perspective. It’s all about letting go and trusting the process.
- Death: Finally, it’s time for a big change. You let go of the old to make room for something new and exciting. It’s not the end—it’s a fresh start.
These three cards take you on a journey: first, understanding your situation (Justice), then letting go and reflecting (The Hanged Man), and finally starting a whole new chapter (Death).
History of The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man has been around since the 15th-century Italian tarot decks, where it was first called “Il Traditore” (The Traitor) and shows as a man hanging upside-down by one foot. At the time, this card reflected medieval punishment for betraying someone.
Over the centuries, this card has evolved and changed, especially in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, to suggest voluntary surrender and the spiritual growth that comes from it. Today’s card asks us to focus more on on peace, transformation, and the act of letting go.
The picture of The Hanged Man also reminds people of the Norse god Odin. In a story, Odin hung from a tree for days to learn the secrets of life. Like Odin, The Hanged Man shows us that sometimes we need to wait and let things happen to grow. If you're anything like me, patience is not my strong suit. Could be why it shows up in my readings a lot!
What It Means
Here are some meanings of The Hanged Man. Remember that these are just suggestions. As you learn more about Tarot, you might develop your own meaning for the card, and that's ok. Tarot needs to be meaningful to you.
- Upright:
- Letting go and not trying to control everything.
- Taking time to see things in a new way.
- Being patient and trusting that things will work out.
- Reversed:
- Holding on too tightly to old ways.
- Feeling stuck because you don’t want to change.
- Missing chances because you are afraid to try something new.
The Symbols in The Hanged Man
What You See on the Card
The Hanged Man shows a person hanging upside-down by one foot. Even though this looks uncomfortable, the person’s face looks calm and peaceful. The card is saying that being still can feel okay if you accept it.
What the Symbols Mean
- The Tree: The tree he hangs from is often called the Tree of Life. It means wisdom and shows how everything in life is connected.
- The Glow Around His Head: This bright halo shows that he is learning something important while he waits.
- Upside-Down Position: Seeing the world differently can help us solve problems and grow in new ways.
What It Teaches
The Hanged Man asks you to stop fighting against life’s challenges. Instead of trying to rush, rush, rush all the time, take a step back and let things happen naturally. Growth often happens when we let go of control.
For all you A type personalities (that's me!), this card could be a reminder that it is okay to not be in control of everything all the time. Over the past year, I have been learning this lesson. I find myself happier because when people offer to help, I allow them to help me. In the past, I couldn't, or wouldn't, let people help me.
What The Hanged Man Means in a Reading
If the Card is Upright
- Love: This card may ask you to be patient and think about what you really want in your relationships.
- Work: You might need to pause and think about where you’re going in your career. Use this time to make a smart plan.
- Personal Growth: The Hanged Man reminds you to let go of old ideas and allow yourself to learn something new.
the hanged man reversed meaning
- Love: It may mean you’re holding on to a relationship that isn’t good for you anymore.
- Work: You could feel stuck because you’re afraid to make a big change.
- Personal Growth: The card warns that you may be avoiding things you need to face to grow.
the hanged man as a person
If The Hanged Man were a person, they’d be the kind of person who always seems calm, thoughtful, and just a little bit quirky. Here’s what they might be like:
Personality
- Deep Thinker: They’d love to take their time to think about life and figure things out before making a move. Rushing? Not their style!
- Open to New Ideas: They’re the friend who says, “Let’s try looking at it another way!” They love seeing things from all angles.
- Chill Under Pressure: When everyone else is freaking out, The Hanged Man person would be like, “Let’s just breathe and figure this out.”
- A Little Unconventional: They probably wouldn’t follow the crowd. Instead, they’d find their own, unique way to do things—even if it takes a little longer.
- Spiritual Vibes: This is the kind of person who enjoys meditating, journaling, or just staring at the stars, thinking about the meaning of life.
What They're Great At
- Staying Calm: They’d be the one to help everyone chill out during tough times. Their motto? “No need to rush. Let’s figure it out.”
- Big Picture Thinking: They’d see solutions other people miss because they take the time to really look.
- Patience: Need to vent or take a while to make a decision? They’ve got all the time in the world for you.
Their Challenges
- Slow Decision-Maker: Sometimes they’d get so caught up in thinking that they’d have trouble actually doing anything.
- Hard to Understand: Some people might think they’re lazy or unmotivated because they’re always in “pause mode,” but really, they’re just working things out in their own way.
- Letting Go Is Hard: Even though they know they need to move on sometimes, it might still be tough for them to actually let go.
What They’d Be Like Day to Day
- Career: They’d do best in a job where they can solve problems creatively, like being a teacher, artist, or counselor. They’d also be the type to take a break now and then to recharge.
- Relationships: As a partner or friend, they’d be patient and understanding, always encouraging you to grow and figure out what’s best for you.
- Hobbies: They’d love quiet activities like journaling, painting, or sitting under a tree thinking about life. They’d probably also enjoy reading about philosophy or mythology.
The Hanged Man would remind everyone around them to slow down, take a breath, and look at life from a fresh perspective. They’d be the person who inspires you to trust the process and find new ways to grow—even if it means hanging out upside-down for a while!
How It Shows Up in Real Life
Imagine you’re thinking about quitting your job but don’t know what to do next. The Hanged Man tells you to pause and reflect instead of rushing. You might discover what’s really important to you by waiting and thinking. Or maybe you’re feeling stuck in a relationship. This card reminds you to take a step back and ask yourself what’s working and what’s not.
Reflection and Journaling
Questions to Think About
- What is making you feel stuck right now?
- How can you see your problem in a new way?
- Is there something you need to let go of to move forward?
Writing Prompts
What is one thing you’re afraid to let go of? How would life change if you did?
Write about a time when taking a break helped you see things clearly. What did you learn?
Imagine your current challenge from another point of view. What might you see differently?
Simple Exercises to Try
Daily Practice
Spend a few minutes with The Hanged Man card. Look at the picture and ask yourself: “What do I need to let go of today to see things more clearly?” Write down any ideas that come to you.
Easy Tarot Spread
Here's an easy three-card spread with The Hanged Man as your guide:
How can I feel more at peace right now?
What should I let go of?
What new way of thinking will help me?
If you love 3 card spreads, I have a whole printable book of spreads and journal pages to go with the spread.
- Learn the Lessons of the Major Arcana
- Discover the High Priestess Card
- How to Journal with Tarot Cards
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The Hanged Man reminds us that sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing at all. By pausing, letting go, and looking at things in a new way, we can find peace and clarity. What can you learn by taking a step back today?
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Learn the Lessons of the Major Arcana
How to Journal with Tarot Cards
Discover the High Priestess Card
