Certain symbols give clues to the meanings of the Tarot cards. The Major Arcana in particular contains much symbolism that influences the meaning. Here are some of the common images featured in the Waite deck of Tarot cards.

MOUNTAINS - represent the realm of ideas and abstract thought, the quest for knowledge and truth.

WATER - represents emotions, the subconscious, cleansing and release, and can also represent the sexual. Water in streams or rivers can represent streams of consciousness, waters of life. Pools or bodies of water can be pools of the subconsciousness or emotions.

PILLARS - represent the theme of duality such as light and dark, male and female, action and stillness.

MOON - represents emotional states, intuition, wisdom and mystery. A full mood represents endings wile a new moon speaks of beginnings.

SUN - represents reason, awareness, clarity and the energy of life.

SNAKES - represent sexual energy, wisdom, rebirth, immortality and the primal unconscious. A snake show with its tail in its mouth represents eternity such as in the Magician card.

LION - represents passion as well as the virtue of nobility.

BIRDS - represent a spiritual awakening, truth or prophecy and the higher consciousness.

TOWERS - represent human aspirations.

TREES - represent the evolution of experience, awareness and life.

POMEGRANATES - represent fertility and cycles of life and death.

ROSES - represent love and desire. Red roses signify passion while white roses indicate purity.

LILIES - represent pure abstract thought.