Rider Waite Card Meaning - The Hierophant

V - The Hierophant - Convention

The Hierophant depicted on the Rider-Smith design is clearly an image of the Catholic Pope, as evidenced by the garments, the crosses, the hand raised in benediction, and most especially, the crossed keys in the foreground, which serve as a traditional emblem of papal office. The most basic meaning inferred from this card is – church. The church is the traditional social setting of important occasions, such as baptisms, marriages, and funerals. Church is also where oaths are uttered, promises are made, and people are expected to conform and do the right thing.

The Hierophant indicates situations where serious and formal pledges are required. It could be as simple as signing a disclosure document or as complicated as making a pledge in marriage. Bonds, alliances, and commitments are formalized and traditional in nature, and the individual is honor-bound to live up to whatever agreements he or she makes.

Reversed, the Hierophant can indicate an inability to live up to agreements, illegitimate arrangements, or failure to do what is conventionally expected. It can also show a failure to reach an agreement among disparate parties, sparking disputes and broken alliances.