The Hanged Man Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

The Hanged Man Keywords 

• Upright: new perspective, surrender, patience, sacrifice, spiritual awakening, uncertainty, pause
• Reversed: restlessness, escapism, stagnancy, resistance, procrastination, delay, stubbornness

The Hanged Man: Description and Symbolism

The Hanged Man sees the world turned on its head, symbolizing a shift in perspective. He is bound by one foot with his hands behind his back, signifying surrender. His crossed legs represent an upside-down ‘four’, symbolizing a changed mentality towards worldly experiences. The man maintains a calm expression, representing acceptance of his situation. 

The T-shaped wooden cross that the Hanged Man suspends from represents how he bridges the material with the spiritual. The cross itself can refer to the bottom of the Christian cross, as well as to the Egyptian symbol of life (Ankh). Despite his sacrifice of control and freedom in this position, he maintains his faith. The golden halo around his head symbolizes spiritual enlightenment through moments of surrender. 

The Hanged Man’s red pants represent passion and physical presence in the world. Even in stillness, he is driven to take action. Nonetheless, his blue tunic symbolizes mental clarity and peace. The Hanged Man must learn to balance his drive with the search for insights. The gray background conveys a neutral tone. It is up to him to make the most of his position.

The Hanged Man card is traditionally associated with the zodiac sign of Pisces. As a mutable water sign, this astrological correspondence speaks to the card’s themes of emotional adaptability and self-sacrifice. The sign of Pisces emphasizes themes of inner wisdom, empathy, and cultivating peace through uncertainty. Ruled by the spiritual and faithful planets of Jupiter and Neptune, Pisces’ search for spiritual answers parallels the enlightenment that the Hanged Man has achieved through self-sacrifice.

The Hanged Man – Upright Meaning

When the Hanged Man appears in a tarot reading, you could be going through an experience that requires you to accept a lack of control. Comfort can be found in uncertainty if you are willing to look within. This card encourages you to look beyond old expectations and others’ opinions to see the deeper meaning behind your circumstances.

The Hanged Man may also serve as a sign to shift your mentality. An outgrown perspective could be slowing you down within a given situation. It will require you to take a step back and accept your innermost thoughts and feelings to achieve a fulfilling outcome down the line.

Love Meaning – The Hanged Man Upright

When the Hanged Man appears, you are encouraged to take your time with matters of the heart. Take space to process and heal from recent conflicts in your relationships. You will not benefit from a rushed closure when there are deeper feelings to accept about the situation. Regardless of your relationship status, new beginnings will naturally follow your pursuit of inner peace at this time.

The Hanged Man signifies a calm, patient approach to love and relationships. You are realizing the importance of being yourself to manifest a fulfilling connection. If you have struggled to set boundaries or put yourself first, this card suggests you are willing to start advocating for your needs.

It is a great time to focus on self-love practices when the Hanged Man appears. Take yourself out on a date or journal about the feelings that have been weighing on you. Your self-acceptance will enrich your relationships moving forward.

To represent how someone feels, the Hanged Man depicts a love interest who needs time and space to clarify their needs. It is best to let go of control and allow this connection to take its own pace.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Hanged Man Upright

In a career context, the Hanged Man suggests you could benefit from a new perspective on your work. Rather than pursuing your original goals and ideas, you are encouraged to pause and reflect. Ask yourself if a commitment needs to be adjusted to restore your work-life balance. If you have had a heavy workload, it may be time to let go of some of your responsibilities.

The Hanged Man’s presence could indicate that you are going through a time of uncertainty with your finances. Perhaps unexpected expenses arose, leaving you with the aftermath. Try not to get discouraged as you accept the situation for what it is. This card encourages you to use this period as an opportunity to find peace by letting go of some control. 

Health Meaning – The Hanged Man Upright

In a health context, the Hanged Man suggests the need for mindfulness and release. You are carrying more responsibilities and expectations than you need to at this time. The best way to attend to your needs is through solo reflection. A new perspective on your situation will help you accept outcomes for what they are and move forward peacefully.

Spirituality Meaning – The Hanged Man Upright

When the Hanged Man appears in a spiritual context, it suggests the need for a spiritual awakening. You are approaching a major realization about the meaning of your efforts. It is time to forgive yourself for the perspective you have outgrown and let go of what no longer serves you. In practice, taking time to meditate or cleanse in a body of water will be healing for you now.

The Hanged Man As Feelings Meaning – Upright

The Hanged Man symbolizes acceptance and patience in times of uncertainty. You may feel many emotions in response to an unexpected change or loss of control. This card encourages you to take this pause as an opportunity to fully understand your needs moving forward.

The Hanged Man As Actions Meaning – Upright

The Hanged Man appears as a symbol of stillness and reflection. There is a need to slow down to gain a better perspective on your situation. It may be time to let go of old expectations and redirect your focus to new tasks.

The Hanged Man – Reversed Meaning

The reversed Hanged Man suggests you may be going through a period where it feels more challenging to put yourself first. Perhaps you tend to put your partner’s needs before your own, or you struggle with setting boundaries in the workplace. While helping others shows your pure intentions, it may be time to attend to your innermost needs, regardless of others’ opinions.

Another interpretation of the reversed Hanged Man is that you are going through a situation that has you feeling restless. You could have a false sense of stagnation out of fear of making the wrong decision. Rather than wrestling against your intuition to get through your situation, you are encouraged to lean into your inner voice’s guidance. Now is a great time to get out of your comfort zone.

Alternatively, the reversed Hanged Man could suggest that you are resisting the need for rest or reflection. You will benefit from taking time for yourself to look within before placing heavy expectations on yourself.

Love Meaning – The Hanged Man Reversed

When the Hanged Man appears reversed in a love reading, you could be at a standstill. Perhaps you had a disagreement with your partner that you don’t know how to get over, or a recent separation has left you feeling at a loss. You could be putting off your own healing by avoiding deeper emotions at this time. It is time to accept your feelings by giving them an outlet. Once you process your grief and disappointments, you will be able to come up with a resolution.

The reversed Hanged Man could also signify a resistance to the idea of love at this time. Be careful not to get in the way of your own healing by resisting necessary realizations. There could be insights from a past or current situation that will give you a more hopeful perspective about relationships.

When reading for how someone feels, the reversed Hanged Man represents someone who is resistant to the idea of love. They could be stalling their own healing from previous experiences. It is best to give this romantic interest time to realign with their intentions.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Hanged Man Reversed

The reversed Hanged Man could signify that you have been making rushed decisions with your work and finances. Your circumstances could have you feeling more restless to take action than you would like. This card reminds you that any opportunity that is meant for you will not slip through your fingers. Take your time to align with your true goals and desires.

When the Hanged Man appears reversed, it could also be a sign of unnecessary sacrifice in your career. Perhaps you have offered help to your peers and family members, only for it to turn out one-sided in the long run. You may also feel more hesitant to pursue the creative ideas that would set you apart. It may be time to look at the bigger picture to determine what investments and career moves are worth your while. Remember to put yourself before the needs and expectations of others at this time.

Health Meaning – The Hanged Man Reversed

When the reversed Hanged Man appears in a health context, you could be giving more time and energy to your commitments than you would like. Keeping yourself busy will not serve your best interests at this time. This card serves as a gentle reminder to practice self-care and tune into your true passions.

Spirituality Meaning – The Hanged Man Reversed

The reversed Hanged Man could suggest that you are going through a period where your spiritual growth feels stalled. Take time to reflect on the sacrifices you have been making – some of them may be from a place of pleasing others rather than being aligned with your path.

The Hanged Man As Feelings Meaning – Reversed

When the Hanged Man appears reversed, you may be going through a situation that has you feeling emotionally disconnected. It could be time to reflect on what experiences feel most aligned.

The reversed Hanged Man can also represent feelings of restlessness and paralysis. Now is a time to get out of your head and into your heart space to cultivate inner peace.

The Hanged Man As Actions Meaning – Reversed

The reversed Hanged Man can represent both restlessness and procrastination. Your ideas could be leading you in many directions, or your lack of clarity could be keeping you stagnant. It may be time to take an intentional rest period to realign with your true direction.

Past, Present, and Future Positions

Past Position

The Hanged Man in the ‘past’ position represents a previous moment of stillness. You learned to find inner peace when you had less control over a past situation. A past sacrifice gave you a new perspective that is now informing your current situation.

Present Position

When the Hanged Man is in the ‘present’ position, you are actively learning to shift your perspective. You may need to let go of an old mindset or expectation towards your situation to move forward in peace.

Future Position

In the ‘future’ position, the Hanged Man predicts that you will need to make a sacrifice in the future. Your present situation is leading you towards a shift in perspective about your overarching purpose. There will soon be a change of pace.

Yes or No Meaning of The Hanged Man

• The Hanged Man Upright: Maybe
• The Hanged Man Reversed: No

When the Hanged Man appears upright in a reading, it gives you a ‘maybe’. A positive outcome is possible in the given situation, but external factors are not the focus. Turn your attention within at this time. 

When the Hanged Man appears reversed, it gives you a ‘no’. The given situation calls for self-reflection to reconnect with your purpose.

Advice and Message of The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man asks you to redefine what success and satisfaction really mean for you. There are outgrown goals and expectations of your situation that you are ready to let go of. So long as you surrender to life’s twists and turns while maintaining your truth, you will be following the Hanged Man’s advice.

Summary of The Hanged Man Tarot Meaning

When the Hanged Man appears, you are encouraged to slow down to gain a new perspective. Pushing yourself through meaningless tasks and connections will not get you far now. This card doesn’t tell you to give up your goals, but rather, inspires you to pursue them wholeheartedly. When reversed, pursuing your old expectations could be leaving you more stagnant than you would like. Surrender to the needs and insights of the present moment, and you will find the clarity you need.