Tarot glossary
What is a significator in tarot?
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A significator is the card chosen to represent the person consulting or the subject of the question in a tarot reading. It can be drawn at random or picked on purpose, often from the court cards. Using one is optional and depends on each reader's school.
What it is for
The significator works as a reference point on the table. In some spreads it sits in the center and the other cards are arranged around it, which helps show how each influence relates to the person or the theme.
In the Lenormand deck (known in Brazil as Baralho Cigano), the significator has a stronger role. It is usually one of the cards that represent the man or the woman, and the neighboring cards are read in relation to it.
How it is chosen
There are two main ways. In the first, the reader consciously picks a card. In older traditions, this was done by appearance or age, using the Queen, King, Knight or Page. In the second, the card is drawn while shuffling, and its meaning is read as a portrait of the moment.
Many modern tarot readers prefer to choose by theme or personality, not by appearance. Others use a Major Arcana card or the person's personal arcanum.
- Deliberate choice, from among the court cards.
- Drawn at random while shuffling.
- Personal arcanum, calculated from the birth date.
Is it required?
No. Most modern spreads, such as the three-card spread or the Celtic Cross, work well without a significator. Some versions of the Celtic Cross already include a central card that plays this role.
If you are just starting out, you can ignore the concept until you feel at ease with the positions and symbols. When you do use one, make clear in your notes which card was the significator and why.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the significator always a court card?
- No. In some traditions it is a court card, but many readers use a Major Arcana card or draw any card from the deck.
- Are the significator and the querent the same thing?
- No. The querent is the person who asks the question, and the significator is the card that represents them, or represents the theme of the reading.
- Does the Celtic Cross require a significator?
- No. Some versions of the spread use the first card as the significator, and others do not. Follow the method your reader or book adopts.
Educational content, for reflection. Tarot does not replace medical, legal or financial advice.