Surrender. Perspective. Waiting. Seeing things from a different angle. Enduring difficulty for a better cause. Inability to act. Striving to be normal. Acceptance of the reality. Ties to family.

The Hanged Man tarot card meaning in short

The Hanged Man card depicts an upside-down man suspended by one of his legs. Although it seems like someone has tied the man to the tree as a form of punishment, the man’s face appears calm, as if he is fully content in this situation. The man in the card bears some resemblance to the first Batteleur card, as both of them have yellow shoes and are connected with the creative and sexual aspect through the appearance of wands. While the Magician is active in the world with all the tools at his disposal, the Hanged Man is more of a passive figure, reminding us not to overthink things and to take action in the world or simply take a break and let time fix things. The upside-down nature of the card implies that we should look at things from a new perspective.

The cut-off branches

The man is suspended between two vertical trees that are symbolically similar to the wand suit in tarot. This suit is responsible for activity in the world, creativity, and sexuality. The branches of these trees are cut off, implying inaction. The Hanged Man is no longer active in his creative and sexual pursuits, but he also shows calmness in the situation he is in.

The pittura infamante or the shameful portrait

During the Renaissance in Italy, a public display of a portrait showing noble men hanged upside down was a form of punishment for crimes related to financial or political matters, such as thievery, treason, and fraud. In some earlier versions of tarroci cards, the hanged man is displayed holding two sacks, which implies the greed that led the man to this situation. Although local magistrates did literally hang people out of their windows as a warning to deter potential wrongdoers, the "pittura infamante," or infamous painting, was a portrait intended to ruin the reputation of the depicted person. It was a significant social punishment serving as a reminder, and that's why these paintings were displayed in public spaces. This context helps us better understand the meaning of the tarot card, showing that the hanged man is enduring a social punishment while appearing content. Although these paintings may also result from political battles, but we can say that greed and materialism are what led to the man being hanged (or the portrait drawn).

It's interesting that after a period of suspension and inactivity, the 13th card, also known as the unnamed or sometimes referred to as the death card, brings about a clearing of the ground. After going through punishment and isolated meditation, you may choose to cut off things. The hanged man's position may be the result of greed and financial irresponsibility.

The hands behind the back

The hanged man's hands are behind his back, so we can't see if they are tied or free. This could be a reference to the pittura infamante, where people were often depicted as resembling dirty animals like pigs and donkeys. However, it's up to the reader to interpret what's happening with the hands. It might suggest a situation where your hands are tied and the only option is to accept inactivity and wait for things to change. Time is a great healer. It could also mean that the hanged man has voluntarily placed himself in this position, and his hands are actually free, but he has chosen to remain inactive for a certain time.

Hanged man’s red boots of emotion

The Hanged Man is depicted wearing red boots, which symbolize emotions. Therefore, the card may suggest that uncontrolled emotions have led the Hanged Man to his current state of inactivity. It's possible that overwhelming emotions or dissatisfaction with his emotions have caused him to end up in this situation. The emotional rollercoaster may be preventing him from taking action, or perhaps he needs to listen to his emotions in order to make the right decision, as it seems that this is what's keeping him suspended.The Hanged Man is depicted with red boots, where the red color is symbolising emotions. So either the card is suggesting that uncotrolled emotions have made the hanged man to be in the situation of inactivity. Perhaps the overwhelming emotions or not being content with the emotions have caused him to land in this situation. The emotional rollecoaster perhaps doesn't let him take action, or he should listen to his emotions to choose the right action, as this seems to be what is leaving him hanging.

The hanged man meaning in finances

The "pittura infamante," or infamous painting, was a form of public punishment in which a caricature of the guilty party was displayed upside down. This type of punishment was typically linked to financial crimes like bankruptcy, fraud, and theft. The public display of the caricature aimed to shame the individual, signaling to others that the person was no longer trustworthy. For noblemen and the upper class in Renaissance societies, this public ridicule could have led to social ostracization and exclusion from business circles, given the interconnected nature of these communities.

The card can be seen as a warning or as representing someone who is being punished. The branches cut off in the background symbolize inactivity, suggesting that it may be time to slow down or take a pause. It could be a sign that you need to take a break from being actively involved in financial matters, or on the other hand, that you're being too passive. The Hanged Man on the card looks calm and content, suggesting that whatever your financial situation is – whether active or passive – it may be best to approach it with acceptance and contentment.

The upside-down nature

The reversed position of this card suggests considering situations from a different perspective. Specifically regarding finances, it prompts us to consider transactions as dual, involving both spending and earning, and to recognize the roles of the buyer and the seller. This perspective might provide insight into your current situation. What appears to be a negative situation could actually be positive, or a decision might not be as beneficial as initially thought, indicating the presence of a deceptive influence.

Hanged man's pockets

An interesting aspect to note is the hanged man's pockets. One pocket points upwards, representing receiving, while the other points downwards, indicating that something is falling out. This symbolizes our dual role in the economic system, both spending and earning.

The hanged man meaning in love and relationships

The Hanged Man represents a state of inactivity, whether it's by choice or due to circumstances. This card suggests taking a break and allowing things to unfold naturally. It reminds us that not everything requires our proactive involvement. On the other hand, it may also be urging us to be more proactive, indicating that we may be hindered by our own overthinking and self-imposed obstacles.

The cut-off branches symbolize the wands suit, which is closely connected to sexuality. This could be representative of your own limitations, self-imposed frigidity, or limitations imposed by your partner. It's worth considering your feelings about this. It's possible that your partner is the one who is imposing sexual limitations on you.

The upside-down orientation of the card also suggests varying perspectives. Perhaps considering your relationship or the relationship you desire from a different angle could be beneficial.

The hanged man is waiting. Are you being passive, waiting for that special someone and not taking action? Maybe it's time to take some time for yourself and not be so invested in the relationship or looking for one. Sometimes giving your relationships some time is a good enough solution, and perhaps sometimes you are just waiting for nothing. A little bit of proactivity might help.

The neutral expression on the Hanged Man's face may symbolize martyrdom. Are you sacrificing yourself too much in the relationship, or for the relationship's sake? It may also remind you that all relationships may require some voluntary sacrifice from your side, and there is no progress without it.

The Hanged Man and The Magician Combination Meaning

The Marseille Tarot's Hanged Man card references the Magician. The Magician, also known as the trickster, is holding an upright wand, implying his activity and sexuality, while the Hanged Man's wands are cut like tree branches. This might symbolize the importance of reflection and letting go after taking action. It's also a reminder to take time for rest to gain new perspectives.

The magician, being a trickster, suggests that you should reflect on your actions. Perhaps some of your decisions were not well thought out and resulted in negative consequences. It's possible that you have been careless or reckless in your relationships, finances, or career, leading to inactivity or requiring a new perspective to move forward.

The magician is depicted with yellow shoes, while the Hanged Man is shown with red shoes. This illustrates the contrast between the magician's active and intelligent approach, and the Hanged Man's passive and emotional stance. It symbolizes the interconnectedness between the cards. Does the magician suppress his emotions by being active? Is his work materialistically rewarding but emotionally draining? Or is he driven by sexual desires rather than emotional ones? Conversely, are overwhelming emotions causing the Hanged Man to be stationary? Does he need time to process his feelings?