The Hanged Man

A willing pause that changes the point of view. The Hanged Man is about letting go of the struggle long enough to see the situation differently.

Upright

• surrender
• a new view
• pause
• letting go

A willing pause that changes the point of view. The Hanged Man is about letting go of the struggle long enough to see the situation differently.

Reversed

• stalling
• needless sacrifice
• resistance
• indecision

Waiting that has become avoidance, or a sacrifice that is not getting anywhere. Reversed, the card asks whether the delay is a choice or a habit.

Not every reader uses reversals. Many treat a reversed card as the same theme, blocked, delayed or turned inward.

In the picture

A man hangs upside down by one foot from a T-shaped living tree, his hands behind his back and a halo of light around his calm face.

Astrology and numerology

The Golden Dawn, the Victorian magical order whose scheme most modern decks follow, linked The Hanged Man with Neptune, a planet discovered after the original scheme was drawn up and added by later writers. Read about Neptune and the element water, which the card shares.

Its number reduces to 3, which numerology associates with expression, creativity, sociability. See every card that reduces to 3.

Yes or no

In yes or no tarot, The Hanged Man counts as a no when upright, and as a yes when reversed. This follows a common convention and not a rule from the deck's makers.

Tarot is a tradition of symbolism. This page says what readers traditionally associate with the card. It does not predict anything and it is not advice.