Keywords (Upright): transformation, endings, rebirth, release, inevitable change Keywords (Reversed): resistance, stagnation, fear of change, clinging to the past
Card Description & Symbolism
In the traditional tarot, Death rides as a skeletal figure in black armor, marching forward with silent certainty. Kings fall before him, clergy plead, and children gaze without fear. A white rose on a black banner symbolizes purity through transformation, and in the distance, a sun rises between two towers—death is not an end, but a passage.
In the Thoth Tarot, Death becomes a fluid, dancing figure, wielding a scythe in deep waters. The image teems with symbols of dissolution, decay, and regeneration. Ruled by Scorpio and associated with the Hebrew letter Nun (נ)—meaning “fish”—this card emphasizes life through death, and evolution through surrender.
Death Tarot Card Meaning: Upright
When Death appears upright, it indicates the end of a cycle—but not in despair. It is a sacred clearing, a moment when life demands space for something new. To move forward, something must be left behind.
Key Upright Interpretations:
Transformation: You are undergoing a profound inner or outer change.
Release: Let go of identities, roles, or beliefs that have run their course.
Rebirth: On the other side of this ending is a more aligned, authentic self.
The Death tarot card meaning in its upright position is not about destruction—it is about alchemy. What falls away now is making way for something more honest and alive.
Death Tarot Card Meaning: Reversed
When Death is reversed, it signals resistance to the natural process of change. You may be clinging to the familiar out of fear, nostalgia, or denial—yet the transformation is still unfolding beneath the surface.
Key Reversed Interpretations:
Fear of Change: You may be avoiding the discomfort that precedes growth.
Stagnation: Holding on too tightly prevents necessary evolution.
Emotional Clinging: Old patterns or relationships may be draining your life force.
In reversal, the Death tarot card meaning becomes a call to release your grip. Death is not punishment—it is a doorway to vitality, if only you’ll step through.
Summary: The Dance of Dissolution
Death is not the end—it is the great purifier. Upright, it marks necessary endings that birth new realities. Reversed, it reflects stuckness born of fear. This card is not asking what you can hold onto—it asks:
What must die in order for you to truly live?