Meaning of the Tiger in the Persian Tarot

The very first blade of the 19 major cards contained within the Persian Tarot, it is also the first of the 5 cards known as the “Animals”. It therefore depicts a magnificent tiger, in a defensive or attacking stance, depending on how you see it — in any case its wide maw is gaping open and its powerful claws are all pointed outward. We know the particularity of the Persian Tarot for the mystical side of all things, and its kinship with Hinduism. Its aesthetic and the colours that correspond to each of the cards are therefore as warm as they are exotic.

In the case of the Tiger, it is depicted on a card whose background is mauve, the colour dedicated to serenity, to prosperity and to nobility, but also to melancholy and jealousy. In Asia, and more particularly in India, the Tiger is the most formidable of the big cats one might encounter. It is a predator that reigns over its territory like a king before his court, with fairness, impartiality, but also with a dangerous ferocity. It is blessed by the Gods and is said to be able to ward off the evil eye, while Buddhists see in it the symbol of the spiritual quest.

Moreover, it is not rare to see the image of the Tiger on the façades of Asian homes, as a protective shield. During a divinatory reading, the Tiger Card salutes the energy and determination we show in accomplishing our wishes. It always announces beneficial results for our actions in response to the efforts we have made. It is therefore a luck card that rewards us.

Keywords: Strength, Vitality, Protection, Willpower, Resilience, Bravery