Major Arcana • Spirit
Strength Tarot Meaning
Complete guide to the visual symbolism, upright and reversed meanings, love dynamics, career guidance, and yes/no verdict for Strength.
Notice the gentle woman closing the jaws of a lion with garland ropes, the golden lemniscate (infinity sign) hovering above her crown.
Key Attributes
Upright Keywords: Inner strength • Courage • Compassion • Patience • Gentle control
Reversed Keywords: Self-doubt • Lost temper • Inner turmoil • Forced control
General Meaning: Upright & Reversed
A woman in white gently closes the jaws of a lion, a garland of flowers around her waist and an infinity sign above her head. She uses no weapon and no force. The card speaks of quiet courage: taming fear, anger, or desire through patience and compassion rather than struggle.
In Reverse: Reversed, the lion of Strength is restless and the gentle hand is unsure. The strength is still there, but self-doubt or frustration gets in the way. Start with kindness toward yourself; that is where steady courage comes from.
Love & Relationships
Patience, tenderness, and a love strong enough to embrace difficult feelings. A relationship that matures through compassion rather than control.
Reversed in Love: Insecurity, jealousy, or emotions that flare up out of control. Soothe the fear before you act on it.
Career & Finances
Calm confidence, resilience, and leadership through persuasion. You can handle difficult people and situations without forcing them.
Reversed in Career: Self-doubt about your abilities, or frustration that pushes you into rash reactions. Your competence is real; act from it, not from pressure.
Yes or No Verdict: Strength
In Strength, the lion yields to a gentle hand. With patience and calm courage, the card answers Yes upright.
Read dedicated Yes/No guide for Strength →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strength a Yes or a No?
Strength is considered a Yes upright. In Strength, the lion yields to a gentle hand. With patience and calm courage, the card answers Yes upright.
What does Strength mean in a love reading?
Patience, tenderness, and a love strong enough to embrace difficult feelings. A relationship that matures through compassion rather than control.
What does Strength reversed signify?
Reversed, the lion of Strength is restless and the gentle hand is unsure. The strength is still there, but self-doubt or frustration gets in the way. Start with kindness toward yourself; that is where steady courage comes from.
What astrological sign or planet is associated with Strength?
Strength is traditionally associated with Leo.