The Emperor (tarot card)

Rider–Waite tarot deck

The Emperor (IV) is the fourth

.

Description

The

. The Emperor is the absolute ruler of the world.

In Astrology, the Emperor is associated with the masculine, cardinal-fire sign of Aries, the domicile sign of Mars which is symbolized by the ram.^[3]

History

The essential features of the design for The Emperor card have changed very little through the centuries. The Emperor sometimes got caught up in the censorship placed on the Popess (The High Priestess) and the Pope (The Hierophant), as when the Bolognese card makers replaced the Popess (High Priestess), Pope (Hierophant), Empress, and Emperor with four Moors or Turks. In the Minchiate, the first of the two Emperors are assigned number III because of the removal of the Popess (High Priestess) from the deck.

Interpretation

According to

, the Emperor card carries several divinatory associations:

The Emperor Keywords

UPRIGHT: Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure

REVERSED: Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility[4]

In Media

In the manga JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders, characters' powers (also known as 'Stands') are named after tarot cards. The Emperor 'stand' belongs to Hol Horse, a minor antagonist.

The Persona series includes various characters represented by tarot cards. In Persona 5 The Emperor card belongs to Yusuke Kitagawa, a member of the main cast.

Alternative decks

Alternative decks include:^[5]

• The parallel, fourth Major Arcana card in the Osho Zen Tarot deck is called The Rebel, and carries some similar connotations.
• In the Vikings tarot Ullr depicts the Emperor. He is shown with a bow, a pair of skis, a shield, and a sleigh.
• In the
  X/1999
  tarot version made by CLAMP, The Emperor is Kyougo Monou.
• In The Legend of the Legendary Heroes tarot, The Emperor is Sion Astarl.
• In the Mythic Tarot deck, the Emperor is depicted by Zeus.
• In the Wildwood Tarot by Mark Ryan, this card is called "The Green Man".

References