The Sun

The Sun quick reference

What does The Sun card look like?

A child rides a white horse beneath a bright sun, holding a red banner. Sunflowers grow behind a stone wall. A child rides a white horse beneath a radiant sun, holding a red banner. Sunflowers grow behind a wall.

The Sun is one of the simplest images in the deck, and every element earns its place. A large sun with a calm human face fills the top of the card. Its rays alternate between straight and wavy lines, a detail many readers take to mean both clear action and gentle warmth. Below, a naked child rides a white horse without a saddle or reins, arms open and holding a long red banner. The child wears a wreath of flowers and a single red feather, the same feather the Fool wears on card zero. That echo matters: the innocence the Fool set out with has returned, now earned by experience. Behind the child, a grey stone wall holds back a row of tall sunflowers that turn toward the rider rather than the sky. The wall suggests that the difficult part of the journey is behind. The child no longer needs protection or control and can ride freely in plain view.

What number is The Sun and where does it sit in the Fool's Journey?

In the older Tarot de Marseille, the Sun card usually shows two children standing together under the sun, often read as twins or close companions. Waite and Smith changed this to a single child on horseback, which shifts the meaning from companionship toward individual joy and freedom. Waite wrote of the card as consciousness in the sense of a return to simplicity, the child as a soul that has passed through the earlier trials. The card is number nineteen, which reduces to ten and then one, linking it numerologically with the Wheel of Fortune and the Magician: a new cycle begun with clear energy.

The Sun is number nineteen.

After The Moon, the traveler finds clarity.

Think of the Sun itself, the center of the solar system. Its energy is vital and warm.

What does The Sun mean upright?

The Sun is one of the brightest cards in the deck. It brings warmth, clarity and joy. Upright, the card reminds you to celebrate and enjoy what is good.

Notice a child riding a white horse beneath a bright sun, sunflowers behind a wall. The card touches on joy, success, vitality and clarity. It is one of the most positive cards.

What does The Sun reversed mean?

Flipped, The Sun describes joy that is clouded for now, or enthusiasm that tips into overconfidence. The light is still there.

Reversed, joy is dimmed. You may feel blocked or delayed. Upside down, the card asks you to find light.

Blocked or internalized: two ways to read The Sun reversed

When the energy is blocked

The Sun reversed is a cloudy day rather than a dark one. Joy is present, but delays, tiredness or other people's moods keep it from coming through. Small pleasures still count.

When the energy is turned inward

Happiness you do not allow yourself to feel or share. You may downplay success, fear jealousy or feel you need to earn joy first. Here the card asks you to let the light in.

What does The Sun mean in love?

Pay attention to happiness, warmth and openness.

If you are single

Look for joy.

If you are in a relationship

Consider happiness.

If you are hoping to reconcile

The Sun favors honest, open-hearted contact. If there is a chance to reconnect, it is likely to come through simple warmth rather than long negotiation. Look out for that you feel at peace with the past whether or not the relationship returns.

What does The Sun mean as feelings?

Think of joy, admiration and genuine fondness.

What does The Sun mean for career?

The Sun likes recognition, confidence and clear progress.

If you are job hunting

The Sun supports confidence and visibility. Share your portfolio, ask for introductions and let your enthusiasm show in interviews. People respond to energy that feels real.

In your current role

The card can reflect recognition, a successful project or simply a good season at work. Enjoy it and share credit generously, since the Sun shines on everyone in the garden.

In creative work

The Sun is an invitation to play. Make something for the joy of it, share early drafts and let a lighter spirit lead. Work done from delight often finds its audience more easily.

What does The Sun mean for money?

Look out for a positive outlook, balanced with sensible planning.

Is The Sun a yes or no card?

Yes The Sun leans strongly yes.

What is The Sun advice?

Let yourself enjoy it and share the warmth.

What does The Sun mean in past, present and future positions?

In the past position

The Sun often describes a period that shaped your confidence: a childhood summer, a year when work went well, or a relationship where you felt fully seen. The warmth from that time is still a resource you can draw on.

In the present position

As your present card, The Sun asks you to step into visibility. Share the news, show the work and let people see you happy. It favors honesty, clarity and enjoying what is going well without bracing for the next problem.

In the future or outcome position

The Sun points toward a period of clarity and warmth. Read it as encouragement that the effort you are making is moving in a bright direction, while keeping in mind that tarot reflects possibilities rather than promises.

What is a common misreading of The Sun?

The Sun is not a promise about outcomes. Pay attention to joy and clarity.

Example readings with The Sun

Joe asks, "How will the trip go?" He draws The Sun. The child suggests joy. He goes.

A man asks how to approach his first family holiday since his divorce. The draw is the Four of Cups, The Sun and the Six of Cups. Between them we see a shift from withdrawal to simple shared moments with his kids, especially playful ones that echo his own childhood. The reflection prompt: what is one small thing we could do together that would make us all laugh?

How does The Sun read next to other cards in a spread?

• Beside The Moon, The Sun shows confusion clearing into understanding.
• With the Three of Cups, joy is shared with friends.
• Next to the Ten of Swords, it suggests the worst of a hard period is ending.
• With The Tower, sudden change makes room for something brighter.
• Alongside the Six of Cups, it brings a sweet return of childhood memories or old friends.

What does The Sun mean with other cards?

• 
  The Sun + The Star

  Hope.

• 
  The Sun + Ten of Cups

  Family joy.

• 
  The Sun + Nine of Swords

  The night passes.

Crystal and reflection prompt for The Sun

Sunstone Sunstone is commonly associated with warmth and optimism, a natural match for the Sun.

What is going well that I have not paused to enjoy?

Journaling prompts for The Sun

• What is going well that I have not paused to enjoy?
• How might the child riding the white horse describe a choice in front of me this week?
• When did positivity last surprise me?
• Where might temporary clouds be quietly shaping my choices?
• If The Sun were a chapter title in my life story, what would the chapter be about?

More on The Sun

• The Moon and The Sun
• Ten of Swords and The Sun
• The Sun and The World
• Tarot and the zodiac
• Crystals for the Major Arcana cards

The Sun FAQs

What does The Sun mean in love?

Look out for happiness.

Is The Sun a yes or no card?

It leans strongly yes.

What does The Sun reversed mean?

Reversed, the card can show temporary clouds.

What does the child mean?

Think of innocence and joy.

What do the sunflowers mean?

They suggest growth.

Is The Sun the best card in tarot?

Many readers see it as the most positive card. It speaks of joy, clarity and confidence, though no card promises a specific outcome.

What zodiac sign is The Sun?

The Sun card is linked with the Sun itself, which rules Leo in astrology.

What does The Sun mean for pregnancy questions?

Tarot cannot answer medical questions. In reflection, the card is often linked with children, joy and new life, and invites you to speak with a qualified professional for anything health related.

What does The Sun reversed mean in love?

You may see a relationship that is basically warm but going through a tired or distracted phase. Small, playful moments often bring the light back.

What does The Sun mean as feelings?

Often the other person may feel happy, warm and open around you. They enjoy your company.