The Tarot is a language of archetypes and symbols, a narrative of the visible and the invisible that unfolds in each reading. Within this universe of meanings, animals hold a special place. They are not mere decorations on the cards; they are guides, living messages from nature that reveal essential aspects of the soul’s journey. Their presence connects us with primal instincts, magical forces, and ancient wisdom that lies deep within our psyche.

Below, we will explore the main animals that appear in the Major and Minor Arcana of the Tarot and their symbolism, allowing you to expand your understanding and enrich your card readings.

Animals in the Major Arcana

The Dog (The Fool, The Moon)
The dog accompanies The Fool on his journey, symbolizing loyalty, protective instinct, and sometimes a warning of danger. It reminds us of the tension between the free spirit and the need for caution. In The Moon, the dog and the wolf represent the domesticated and wild aspects of our psyche, evoking the duality between reason and instinct.

The Bull (Wheel of Fortune, The World)
The bull is a primal force of resilience, stability, and power. In the Wheel of Fortune and The World, it appears as one of the four creatures of the tetramorph, a symbolic representation of the four fundamental principles of the universe, symbolizing matter, persistence, and realization in the material plane.

The Eagle (Wheel of Fortune, The World)
The eagle represents spiritual elevation, higher vision, and transcendence. It is the animal that invites us to look from above, not get lost in the details, and trust in the wisdom of flight.

The Horse (Death, The Sun, The Chariot)
The horse is impulse and movement. In Death, it is the inexorable force of change. In The Chariot, it represents mastery over life’s direction, impulse guided by will. In The Sun, its presence speaks to childlike freedom, overflowing vital energy, and unbound joy.

The Wolf (The Moon)
The wolf is the call of the wild, the hidden wisdom awakened at night. It represents intuition that transcends reason and the need to face our instinctive fears.

The Lion (Strength, Wheel of Fortune, The World)
The lion is power and dominion. In Strength, it shows the ability to tame the wild with gentleness and compassion, reminding us that true power is not imposition but integration.

The Serpent (The Magician, Wheel of Fortune)
The serpent is transformation, hidden wisdom, and renewal. In The Magician, it sometimes appears as a coiled belt, symbolizing infinite creative potential. In the Wheel of Fortune, it descends, representing the cyclical fall of life and death.

Animals in the Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana also hide a great wealth of symbolism with the presence of various animals reinforcing the meanings of each suit:

Fish (Cups)
Fish in the Cups cards (such as the Knight of Cups or the Page of Cups) represent the flow of emotions, intuition, and creativity. They symbolize messages from the unconscious and the adaptability of water.

Cats (Queen of Wands)
The black cat accompanying the Queen of Wands is a symbol of independence, mystery, and esoteric protection. It reminds us of the power of autonomy and the connection to the hidden.

Wolves (Five of Swords)
In some modern decks, the wolf appears in the Five of Swords, evoking internal struggle, solitude after victory, and the need to integrate our shadows.

Deer (Queen of Pentacles)
The deer is a symbol of grace, patience, and connection with nature. In the Queen of Pentacles, it reminds us of sustainable abundance and loving care for the material world.

Crows (Seven of Swords)
The crow is a messenger of the unknown and a guardian of secrets. In the Seven of Swords, it reinforces the idea of cunning, warning, and knowledge of hidden truths.

Bees (Three of Pentacles)
Bees symbolize communal work, structure, and collective effort to create something lasting. In the Three of Pentacles, they highlight the importance of collaboration to achieve mastery.

Conclusion: The Wisdom of Animals in the Tarot

Each animal in the Tarot acts as a gateway to a deeper meaning. They speak to us from their archetypal essence, connecting us to layers of interpretation beyond the rational. The next time you encounter an animal in a reading, pause to feel what it tells you, what its message is, and how you can integrate its wisdom into your life.

The Tarot is not just a mirror of the psyche but also a bridge to cosmic consciousness, where humans and animals share the same journey of evolution and self-discovery.