The Lovers Tarot Card Meaning Upright and Reversed

When the Lovers comes out in a reading, it represents unity, loving partnership, and having your choice. This very positive card predicts happy times when you can give your love freely and find it reciprocated. Major love affairs are predicted and confirmed when you see the Lovers.

The bond of the Lovers is distracting, though. The card comes with a warning about temptation. In romantic love, indulging your delight and forgetting your other commitments and responsibilities is sometimes easy. Negligence like this may come back to bite you.

Outside romantic relationships, the Lovers guides us to cherish the company of people whose values are in harmony with our own. Let peace reign in your most important connections.

The Lovers Tarot Card Keywords and Facts

Before you understand the specific meaning, take a look at the keywords and phrases associated with our seventh Major Arcana Card.

Upright Keywords	Choice, relationship, union, harmony, values
Reversed Keywords	Conflict, imbalance, disagreement
Yes or No	Yes
Numerology Number	6
Zodiac Sign	Gemini
Element	Air
Ruling Planet	Mercury

The Lovers Tarot Card Symbolism and Appearance

In a scene recalling the Garden of Eden, two people stand naked together between two trees. Their nudity is symbolic of their innocence.

In the distance, a mountain rises between them, signifying steadfastness, and dedication.

Above that, an angel in the clouds appears to bless the union. Raphael is the guardian of sharing and collaboration, affirming the relationship and binding these twin souls together.

Behind the angel, the sun shines brightly, a symbol of joy and conscious action.

Behind the female figure, we see the tree of knowledge, bearing the fruit of our five senses. A snake coils around it, representing temptation.

Behind the male figure, we see the tree of life, a marker of universal love and belonging. The flames number twelve, as in the twelve signs of the zodiac. They represent the life-cycle.

The Lovers Tarot Card Upright Meaning

When it appears upright, the Lovers refers to the ideal of perfection in partnership. Two people are brought together by magnetism or some divine force. Through trust and collaboration, they become one. The union feels like shared peace and security.

It can be hard to step away when one is in the first passionate blushes of such a union. Don’t be so distracted that you ignore your friends and family, your commitments, or your goals. Be secure enough by yourself to keep participating outside that safe zone.

Love (Upright)

In a love reading, the Lovers points to a romantic connection that feels balanced, loving, and supportive. These two will support one another against all odds. They are naturally compatible, they collaborate well, and they feel safest in one another’s company.

Feeling secure in a loving relationship can produce a sense of freedom and empowerment that isn’t always visible from the perpetual single’s perspective. If you are hesitant to commit to a romance, the Lovers says you can use your heart and your senses. Embrace good love when you find it!

Health and Spirituality (Upright)

In a reading about health or spirituality, the Lovers refers to the personal growth that arises when you reassess your values. By this point, you know what society wants for you. Further maturity comes when you find out what you want for yourself.

This may represent a time of reflection, meditation, or prayer.

Sometimes, to realize what is essential for you, it can help to take time out from socializing. The idea is to develop discernment between what you want and what somebody else wants for you.

Money and Career (Upright)

When the Lovers shows up in a spread about money or career, it points to a mutually beneficial partnership. Whether or not the connection is romantic, it is friendly and respectful. This person will make an excellent investor or business partner for you.

Occasionally, the Lovers shows up in a career reading to indicate a workplace romance. If this is the case for you, be sure to consider the risks involved. Make choices that won’t get you in trouble.

This card can also suggest it is time to consider your future prospects. You may be up for a raise or promotion or looking to change locations or careers for an ideal outcome.

The Lovers Tarot Card Reversed Meaning

When the Lovers shows up in reverse, it means conflict. The harmonious relationship becomes disagreeable, and the support you feel seems to disappear. If you can’t find a way to balance the situation, a break is imminent.

This placement refers to betrayal, a loss of trust. Whether it was intentional or not, someone you had confidence in may have done or said something you don’t understand or don’t appreciate.

You may have broken the implicit or explicit rules with regard to a person or thing you value highly. The fall from grace can feel overwhelming and bring about a crisis of faith in yourself.

Love (Reversed)

When The Lovers reversed comes out in a love reading, it points to a romance that has gone cold. The message is that things are not well in this vital partnership. One may be distracted by outside influences or simply withdrawn because of some imbalance between you.

This card corresponds with the sign Gemini, so in reverse, it indicates a breakdown in communication and planning. Check to make sure you are truly listening and not just hearing what you want to hear.

Altogether, the Lovers, in reverse, is about personal accountability in the context of all your relationships. If things aren’t going well, what could you do better?

Health and Spirituality (Reversed)

In a health spread, the Lovers shows up in reverse when you haven’t been caring for yourself properly. The idea is to place equal emphasis on the wellness of your body, mind, and spirit. The guidance is often to look after your body and the state of your spirit and give your brain a break.

It is common to get so distracted by all the things you have to think about that you ignore your physical health. Interestingly, when you prioritize the care and upkeep of your body, your capacity for good decision-making will improve.

A sense of spiritual connection and a moral or ethical code of conduct is also essential to good executive functioning. For example, when you make your choices based on the principle that you don’t want anyone to get hurt, it will be easier to find people to work with you.

Money and Career (Reversed)

If you see the Lovers reversed in a money or career reading, it stands for impulsive or irresponsible choices that can cause conflict with your work partners. This says somebody isn’t keeping up their end of the work to keep the books balanced.

It’s possible the parameters of your partnership aren’t clear. It’s best to be upfront about your expectations and listen carefully to what the other person is saying about their reliability.

Reflect on your own responsiveness to the demands of the job or partnership. We all fall behind on our responsibilities sometimes, but it isn’t fair to allow others to continuously pick up your slack.

The Lovers Tarot Card Yes or No Meaning

In a “yes or no” reading, the Lovers is an ardent “yes!” Take it as an affirmation of your choices in friendship, romance, and also business partnerships. Trust yourself. Your decisions are good ones.

Important Card Combinations for the Lovers Card

The Lovers and the Eight of Cups

The Eight of Cups talks about abandoning unsatisfactory emotional involvements in favor of something better. When paired with the Lovers, the message is confirmed. It’s okay to follow your heart in search of a better connection.

There is a sense of loss and disappointment when these two show up together. Something we invested our hearts in isn’t working out. Walking away can feel like leaving a part of yourself behind.

Take reassurance in the knowledge that there is a better circumstance out there for you. You only have to make yourself available for it.

The Lovers and the Ace of Cups

When the Lovers shows up with the Ace of Cups, it speaks to a love of a spiritual nature. This can refer to one’s relationship to the divine or a connection with someone that is more based on spiritual kinship than romantic desire.

Sometimes, a friendship feels fated even if it lacks romance. Your connection to this friend is easy to cultivate, and you share an open line of communication.

If you don’t have such a friend, this combination invites you to be receptive to finding one.

The Lovers and the Sun

A new love relationship is in the cards when you see the Lovers with the Sun. This will be a time when you can delight in the promise of each new day with gratitude for the joy of your newfound love.

The feeling of these two cards together is a pure, loving, sensual delight. Like the embrace of a lover or the touch of the sun on your skin.

This very positive pairing reads like a big “Go ahead and enjoy it!”

The Lovers and Strength

The Lovers and the Strength card together represent a strong, lasting bond. With two dedicated to the same cause, you will succeed in having a long and loving relationship.

Strength often refers to the taming of your own inner beast. This means subjugating your pride, lust, and restlessness to loyalty. Not by force but by gentle and loving means.

The outcome will be a peaceful mindset and connection that protects and uplifts both people.

The Lovers and the Knight of Swords

The Knight of Swords is a person who is quick-witted and helpful. This card comes together with the Lovers to promise a partnership with strong intellectual compatibility. You may find yourself drawn to someone based on their idealism or a smart sense of humor.

This pairing also warns against rushing into anything. Knights come in quickly and are often guided by romantic ideas.

However, a lover who is always on a mission may not be the best at putting your relationship first.

The Lovers and the Ace of Wands

If you have a passion in this world, a goal that you burn to achieve, this pairing is a positive sign. It says you can make a very positive, active start at this time. Your fire will inspire those who track your progress and you will be well supported.

The Ace of Wands is like the baton in a relay race. When you see the opportunity you’ve been looking for, you’re meant to grab it and run with it as fast as you can.

This is a race you can win. Don’t hesitate to act.

The Lovers and the Ace of Pentacles

An offer is on the table when you see the Lovers together with the Ace of Pentacles. The message is that something representing material wealth and a secure future becomes available to you. Now is a time to consider serious offers of investment.

This can indicate the perfect job, a chance to partner with someone in business or some other financial opportunity. The guidance is to remain grounded and serious in your negotiations for the best possible outcome.

The Lovers and the Eight of Pentacles

The Eight of Pentacles is about getting the training you need to do well in your chosen field. Paired with the Lovers, this says you may have a chance at an internship or entry-level job in public relations or media.

Embrace this next phase in your professional development with open arms. Show dedication and you will be rewarded with valuable experiences and recognition for your work.

The Lovers Tarot Card in Numerology

Though the Lovers is the seventh card of the Major Arcana, its number is six. Six is considered a lucky number, bringing balance, love, and the freedom to choose what you like.

Six is a pair of threes. Two people, complete in body, mind, and spirit, come together to create a happy and supportive bond.

They are stronger and more capable together, and this is something to celebrate.

Next Card: Tarot Card Number 7: The Chariot Meanings

Rider-Waite images used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems.