The Chariot Tarot Card Meaning

The Chariot is the card of conquest, victory, and the assertion of the ego. Its imagery is deeply rooted in the 'Triumphs' (Trionfi) of Petrarch and the Roman tradition of the triumphal procession for a victorious general. In the Visconti-Sforza decks, the card often depicted a female figure (possibly representing Fame or Chastity) seated on a chariot drawn by white horses. It was a celebration of worldly achievement and high status. In the Tarot de Marseille, the imagery became more masculine and martial. *Le Chariot* depicts a crowned king standing in a box-like chariot. Notable features include the two horses, which often appear to be pulling in different directions or looking at each other, symbolizing the difficulty of controlling the animal instincts or opposing forces. The canopy above the king suggests divine protection or a connection to the heavens. The card was associated with war, travel, and the mastery of the physical world. Eliphas Lévi profoundly influenced the modern design by associating the card with the Hebrew letter *Cheth* and the sign of Cancer (though Waite would keep the Cancer association). Waite's Rider-Waite-Smith version introduced the black and white sphinxes in place of the horses. This added a layer of Egyptian mystery and explicitly referenced the dualities of nature (active/passive, light/dark) that the Will must harness but not destroy. The charioteer holds no reins—he controls the sphinxes through sheer force of will and magical presence. He wears armor, but his shoulders bear the crescent moons (Urim and Thummim), and a star shines on his crown, linking him to celestial influences. The starry canopy represents the heavens, while the square chariot represents the earth; he is the connection between the two. Crowley’s Thoth Chariot takes the Cancer symbolism to the extreme. The charioteer is encased in amber-colored armor resembling a crab. He holds the Holy Grail, which spins the wheel of karma. Instead of two sphinxes, the chariot is drawn by four sphinxes, each composed of parts of the four kerubic beasts (Bull, Lion, Eagle, Man), representing the sixteen sub-elements of the personality. For Crowley, the card represented the 'Lord of the Triumph of Light'—the vehicle of the spirit descending into form to gain experience.