
The Hanged Man
Tarot Card Meaning
Upright Keywords:
Surrender, Letting Go, Pause, Reflection, Sacrifice, Insight, Perspective
Reversed Keywords:
Delay, Resistance, Stalling, Indecision, Inaction, Detachment, Unnecessary Sacrifice
Summary:
The Hanged Man represents self-reflection, gaining new perspectives, letting go of control, sacrifice for greater understanding, and a period of necessary stillness. It symbolizes pause and surrender.
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Table of Content
- What Does The Hanged Man Tarot Card Mean?
- The Hanged Man Love When It Comes to Romance
- The Hanged Man as a Person: What Could It Mean?
- The Hanged Man Yes or No Question Answered
- The Hanged Man Reversed Position and Its Meaning
- The Hanged Man Upright in a Reading
- The Hanged Man as Feelings and Emotions
- Reading The Hanged Man in a Spread
What Does The Hanged Man Tarot Card Mean?
The Hanged Man tarot card shows an upside-down man hanged by his leg to a tree. The Hanged Man tarot card meaning represents free will. We can say that by observing that his left foot is free and his hands are behind his back while his facial expressions are serene. According to Nebula’s tarot reading advisors, this card signals uncertainty, the situation of being trapped in something willingly, and a lack of the right direction.
If you’ve drawn this card, it means that you need a shift in perspective. The Hanged Man meaning encourages you to make peace with uncertainty. Take a step back, and give yourself some time to contemplate things without the pressure to act immediately. Being a person of action is important, but it’s equally important to be able to find wisdom in what initially looks like a standstill.
The Hanged Man Love When It Comes to Romance
If you’re in a relationship that is not so romantic and joyful at the moment, the Hanged Man tarot card in an upright position signifies that you need to step back and give your relationship a rest. During that time, you and your partner could rethink the relationship and make it better. Or, if you find that you’re not happy, you can call this relationship off willingly, which is what the Hanged Man tarot card meaning love is trying to say.
If you’re single, this signals that you should get out of the negative people's circle and release all the negative feelings. The tarot deck might be trying to tell you that your friend group is no longer what it once was and that toxicity is growing. Or perhaps it’s your family that’s the problem, and you need to confront your family members to straighten things up.
It’s time to make some changes in your love life if you’re in a relationship when it comes to the Hanged Man love outcome. You need to revamp it without making an unnecessary sacrifice. This will balance your relationship. If you’re single, this card indicates that the wait is over. You need to freshen your mind from toxic ex-relationships, and you’ll soon meet your soulmate.
The Hanged Man as a Person: What Could It Mean?
The Hanged Man as a personality is a person who sees the world differently and develops patience, surrender, and deep introspection. The individual is often open-minded, spiritual, and willing to let go in order to become wise. They may be slow to decide, often taking time to think before acting impulsively.
Others might perceive them as detached or passive, but they are just waiting for the right moment to strike. This person values personal growth and is willing to sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term insight. They teach patience, surrender, and the courage to see differently.
The Hanged Man Yes or No Question Answered
The Hanged Man yes or no in an upright position usually answers with a clear and definitive no. This card signals sacrifice and contemplation, it helps you in making critical decisions that are ultimately best for you. The upright Hanged Man is a sign that you shouldn’t be afraid to take a small pause.
If you’re single, this signals that you should get out of the negative people's circle and release all the negative feelings. The tarot deck might be trying to tell you that your friend group is no longer what it once was and that toxicity is growing. Or perhaps it’s your family that’s the problem, and you need to confront your family members to straighten things up. Keep in mind, that the Hanged Man reversed yes or no might hold the opposite meaning.
The Hanged Man Reversed Position and Its Meaning
If you are asking the deck a yes or no question and get the Hanged Man reversed, it is more likely that the answer will be a clear and definitive yes. At the same time, the Hanged Man reversed meaning suggests that the current situation is not conducive to progress or that there may be obstacles that must be addressed before proceeding. Once you address those obstacles, the road ahead will be fully clear.
Do you always find yourself in a situation where you hesitate to take the final step in making any investment? If that’s true, this card indicates that you need to figure yourself out well and take the next step. You can get counseling from a financial expert as well.
The Hanged Man Upright in a Reading
If you’re in a relationship that is not so romantic and joyful at the moment, the Hanged Man card in an upright position signifies that you need to step back and give your relationship a rest. During that time, you and your partner could rethink the relationship and make it better. Or, if you find that you’re not happy, you can call this relationship off willingly.
If your questions for the deck were about your past, and you drew the Hanged Man, the cards are trying to tell you something about the period of stagnation or delay you experienced some time ago. Take a moment to think about it; perhaps it’s somehow relevant to where you are now, and you need to go back in time mentally to fully understand what the problem was back then.
The Hanged Man as Feelings and Emotions
The Hanged Man as feelings indicates doubtfulness, reflection, and resignation. One who feels this way is likely to be stuck, uncertain, or suspended, not knowing what to do next. He or she could be going through a change of heart, seeing things in a different way but is not yet ready to do anything about them.
There is a tendency to give in, to wait, or to let go because he or she gives time for emotions to work through before acting. In love life, the Hanged Man can represent hesitation, waiting, or a longing for introspection. It is a sign that there is an emotional stop before embracing change or a choice. At the same time, the Hanged Man reversed as feelings would hold the opposite meaning.
Reading The Hanged Man in a Spread
Now, let’s explore what this card means in a spread by outlining the popular tarot combinations with the Hanged Man:
The Tower. When you draw the Hanged Man in combination with the Tower, take a deep breath and get ready for a period of significant upheaval and transformation. You will likely experience a sudden and massive change soon.
The Lovers. Next to the Lovers, the Hanged Man points toward a big decision in your love life. It’s a sign that you need to take a step back and reevaluate your relationship to solve the issues you’ve been struggling with lately.
The Fool. When you draw the Hanged Man together with the Fool, it means that you’re about to embark on a new, exciting adventure and turn a new page in your life. However, the cards recommend you look before leaping.
The High Priestess. Next to the High Priestess, the Hanged Man is trying to communicate to you the importance of intuition. Don’t be afraid to trust your instincts — listen to your gut! Deep down, you know more than you think you do.
The Empress. If you draw the Empress and the Hanged Man together, it’s a bit of a warning. Probably, you’ve been too impulsive lately, and the cards advise you to be more patient. Remember, all good things take time.
The Hanged Man Tarot Guide

Read About Other Tarot Cards
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- Suit of Wands
- Suit of Swords
- Suit of Pentacles
- Suit of Cups
- The Minor Arcana
- The Major Arcana
- Queen of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Ace of Wands
- ...
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- King of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Ace of Swords
- King of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Ace of Pentacles
- King of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Ace of Cups
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- The Judgment
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- The Moon
- The Star
- The Tower
- The Devil
- The Temperance
- The Death
- The Justice
- The Wheel Of Fortune
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- The Strength
- The Chariot
- The Lovers
- The Hierophant
- The Emperor
- The Empress
- The High Priestess
- The Magician
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