Overview

The landscape of the tarot is not solely populated by human figures; it is a vibrant, breathing ecosystem teeming with animal life. From the roaring lion of Strength to the howling dogs of The Moon, the animals and creatures embedded in the cards serve as potent symbols of our instinctual nature, our primal drives, and our connection to the transcendent. In both the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) and Tarot de Marseille traditions, these creatures act as psychological messengers, highlighting the tension between conscious control and wild, untamed energy. This article explores the rich bestiary of the tarot, examining how lions, eagles, bulls, dogs, serpents, doves, fish, and horses communicate essential truths about the human journey.

The Function of the Bestiary

In the psychological framework of the tarot, animals rarely represent actual physical creatures. Instead, they personify the deep, non-rational forces of the psyche—the instincts, the passions, the physical body, and the connection to the collective unconscious.

When a human figure in the tarot interacts with an animal, it illustrates a specific relationship with these instinctual forces. Is the animal being ridden and controlled (The Chariot)? Is it being gently tamed (Strength)? Is it acting as a companion (The Fool), or is it threatening to overwhelm the conscious mind (The Moon)? By paying close attention to these dynamics, we unlock a layer of meaning concerning our own internal ecosystem.

Furthermore, many of the animals in the tarot are drawn from ancient astrological and Christian symbolism, specifically the four fixed signs of the zodiac (Leo the Lion, Scorpio the Eagle, Taurus the Bull, Aquarius the Man/Angel), which frequently appear together as a symbol of cosmic totality.

The Lion: Solar Power and the Beast Within

The lion is perhaps the most prominent and powerful animal in the tarot bestiary. Associated with the astrological sign of Leo and the element of Fire, the lion represents solar power, royalty, courage, and the raw, untamed passions of the ego.

Strength (La Force): In both the RWS and Marseille traditions, the Strength card depicts a woman gently closing (or opening) the jaws of a lion. Here, the lion represents our primal, animalistic drives—anger, lust, raw ambition. The card illustrates that true strength is not found in slaying the beast (repressing our instincts), but in engaging with it compassionately. The lion’s energy is integrated and channeled through conscious awareness, rather than dominated by brute force.

The Tetramorph: The lion also appears in the corners of The Wheel of Fortune and The World cards, representing the fixed fire sign of Leo. In this context, it symbolizes the necessary active, creative force required to sustain the cyclical nature of existence.

The Eagle: Transcendent Vision and the Intellect

The eagle is the creature of the high air, associated with the element of Water (via its connection to the higher octave of Scorpio) and sometimes Air. It represents transcendent vision, spiritual aspiration, and the soaring power of the intellect.

The Tetramorph: Like the lion, the eagle is a recurring figure in the corners of The Wheel of Fortune and The World. It symbolizes the capacity for higher perspective—the ability to rise above the mundane and see the broader, cosmic patterns at play.

The Emperor: In the Marseille tradition, The Emperor’s shield frequently bears the image of an eagle. This heraldic symbol underscores his imperial authority, but it also suggests that his earthly power is (or should be) guided by a higher, overarching vision.

The Bull: Earthly Power and Endurance

The bull is the quintessential creature of the earth. Associated with the astrological sign of Taurus and the suit of Pentacles, it represents physical endurance, material stability, fertility, and the slow, steady power of manifestation.

The Tetramorph: The bull completes the triad of animals in The Wheel of Fortune and The World. It grounds the visionary energy of the eagle and the passionate fire of the lion into tangible, physical reality. It reminds us that spiritual and intellectual pursuits must ultimately be anchored in the body and the material world.

The King of Pentacles: In the RWS tradition, the throne of the King of Pentacles is heavily adorned with the heads of bulls. This highlights his mastery over the material realm, his steadfast nature, and his deep connection to the wealth and resources of the earth.

The Dog and the Wolf: Tamed Instinct vs. Wild Nature

Canines in the tarot frequently appear as pairs or as companions, highlighting the dual nature of our relationship with our instincts: the domesticated, loyal companion versus the wild, unpredictable predator.

The Fool (Le Mat): In almost every tradition, The Fool is accompanied by a small dog (or sometimes a cat or a lynx in older decks). The dog often leaps up, either warning The Fool of the precipice or playfully urging him forward. Here, the dog represents our animal intuition—the gut feeling that alerts us to danger or excitedly points the way when the rational mind is absent.

The Moon (La Lune): The Moon card explicitly contrasts the tamed and the wild. In both RWS and Marseille decks, a dog (domesticated instinct) and a wolf (wild, primal fear) howl at the moon. This powerful imagery illustrates the tension we experience when confronting the deep unconscious. Both our trained behaviors and our deepest, untamed anxieties are drawn out by the magnetic pull of the unknown.

The Serpent: Transformation and Hidden Wisdom

The serpent is one of the oldest and most complex symbols in human history. In tarot, it carries dual meanings: it can represent hidden danger and temptation, but more profoundly, it symbolizes transformation, healing, and esoteric wisdom (due to its shedding of skin).

The Lovers: In the RWS Lovers card, the serpent is coiled around the Tree of Knowledge behind the female figure (Eve). Here, it represents the catalyst for consciousness—the necessary, albeit painful, initiation into the complexities of choice, duality, and mortal awareness.

The Wheel of Fortune: In the RWS version of The Wheel, a large serpent (representing the Egyptian god Typhon) descends on the left side. This signifies the descent of life force into material form, the necessary downward turn of the wheel that balances the upward ascent.

The Dove and the Fish: Spirit and the Deep Unconscious

Birds and aquatic creatures represent the extremes of our spiritual topography: the highest aspirations of the psyche and the deepest currents of the unconscious mind.

The Dove: Often associated with Venus (The Empress) or the Holy Spirit (the Ace of Cups), the dove is a symbol of peace, transcendent grace, and pure, descending spiritual energy. In the RWS Ace of Cups, the dove carries a communion wafer into the overflowing chalice, signifying the infusion of transcendent love into the receptive human heart.

The Fish: The fish, swimming in the unseen depths of the water, represents thoughts, emotions, or creative impulses emerging from the deep unconscious. In the RWS Page of Cups, a fish unexpectedly pops its head out of the Page’s cup. This whimsical image perfectly captures the sudden, surprising emergence of an intuitive insight or a creative idea from the depths of the psyche.

The Horse: The Vehicle of Will and Desire

The horse is the primary vehicle of the tarot, representing the driving force of our physical energy, our libido, and our conscious will.

The Chariot (Le Chariot): The Chariot is drawn by two horses (or sphinxes in the RWS). In the Marseille tradition, these horses often look in different directions, symbolizing conflicting desires or opposing physical drives. The charioteer must harness these divergent energies through sheer force of will to move forward. The horses represent the raw horsepower of our physical bodies, which must be directed by the conscious mind.

The Knights: All four Knights in the Minor Arcana are mounted on horses. The posture and color of the horse reflect the elemental nature of the suit. The Knight of Swords rides a charging, aggressive horse (Air/Intellect rushing forward); the Knight of Pentacles sits on a heavy, stationary draft horse (Earth/Material moving slowly and deliberately).

Reading with Symbolic Awareness

When animals appear in a tarot spread, they invite us to examine our relationship with our own instinctual nature.

• Notice the Interaction: How is the human figure in the card interacting with the animal? Are they fighting it (Seven of Wands), ignoring it, or working in harmony with it? This reflects how the querent is handling their own internal drives.
• Identify the Element: Is the animal a creature of the earth, air, fire, or water? This elemental association will color the interpretation. A proliferation of birds might suggest a need for higher perspective or intellectual clarity; a spread full of aquatic creatures points to deep emotional undercurrents.
• Embrace the Wild: Often, the appearance of an animal in a reading is a call to reconnect with the physical body. It may suggest that the querent is over-intellectualizing a situation and needs to listen to their gut intuition (the dog) or tap into their raw courage (the lion).

Reflection

The bestiary of the tarot is a powerful reminder that we are not purely rational beings. We carry the lion, the eagle, the serpent, and the dog within us. By engaging with these animal symbols, we learn to honor the full spectrum of our nature. The cards teach us that true wisdom does not come from repressing the beast, but from recognizing its power, understanding its language, and integrating its vitality into our conscious journey. When we learn to ride the horse of our desires and listen to the howling dog of our intuition, we move through the world with greater authenticity and instinctual grace.