The Hierophant
The Hierophant is the sixth Major Arcana card, numbered V. In the oldest Italian decks it was simply 'Il Papa' — the Pope —, and the name 'Hierophant' only came into use centuries later, through French and English esoteric tradition.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-18
Historical fact
In 15th-century Italian decks, this card was 'Il Papa' — the Pope —, directly depicting the highest figure of the Catholic Church. The name 'Hierophant', a Greek term for a priest who interprets sacred mysteries, was adopted by 18th- and 19th-century French and English esoteric tradition, partly to avoid explicitly depicting the Catholic Pope on a playing card.
Interpretation — Rider-Waite-Smith / Golden Dawn
In the 1909 version, the Hierophant sits between two pillars, wearing the triple papal crown, right hand raised in a gesture of blessing, with two acolytes kneeling before him. He represents tradition, religious or educational institutions, conformity to established norms, and spiritual guidance transmitted by a recognized authority.
Interpretation — Thoth (Aleister Crowley)
In the Thoth deck, the card keeps the name 'The Hierophant' and is tied to Taurus and the Hebrew letter Vav. He represents wisdom formalized into doctrine, the link between inner teaching and its expression through recognizable structures and rituals.
This section presents one tradition's interpretation, not a verifiable fact.
Frequently asked questions
- Was the Hierophant ever depicted as the Pope?
- Yes. In the original 15th-century Italian decks, the card was called 'Il Papa'. The name 'Hierophant' emerged in 18th-19th century French and English esoteric tradition, which preferred a more generic Greek term over directly depicting the Catholic Pope.
- What does the Hierophant represent in a Tarot reading?
- It typically points to tradition, formal learning, institutions, or seeking guidance within already-established structures and rules — as opposed to individual, unconventional paths.
Sources
- Michael Dummett. The Game of Tarot: From Ferrara to Salt Lake City (1980).
- Arthur Edward Waite. The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910).
- Aleister Crowley. The Book of Thoth (1944).
- Stuart R. Kaplan. The Encyclopedia of Tarot (1978).