 
typical
symbols of
THE CHARIOT card
- Belt -
golden in color suggesting light. Ornamented
with many signs, the one that is clear being the
symbol for Cancer. The slanted position of the
belt suggest the slanting circle of the elliptic
representing time and the influence of stellar
forces.
- Canopy of
Stars - overhead represent the celestial
influences that have played a role in his
victory.
- Chariot
- represents the human personality, which can be
a vehicle for the expression of self.
- Crown
- sometimes shown with three pentagrams
representing mental dominion.
- Cuirass
- brass to symbolize the protective power of
creative imagination.
- Square
shape - order and purity, the physical
reality.
- Three
Black T's - the limiting power of
Saturn. They also refer to the Hebrew letter
Tav.
- Diadem -
sometimes shown with an eight pointed star, representing
cosmic order.
- Egyptian Winged Solar Disc - represent
aspiration.
- Lunar Crescents - In the
Golden Dawn system, the Chariot is assigned to
Cancer which is ruled by the moon.
- River - another of the Four Rivers from
Eden (also seen on the Empress, Emperor, Chariot
and Death card).
- Shield - symbol on the shield in front of the chariot is a Hindu symbol
which represents duality and unity: the erect male penis (lingam) penetrating the female genitals (yoni). Perhaps it refers to the sexual maturity of the Charioteer, having completed the first third of the journey.
- Skirt - divided into eight parts, each
decorated with geomantic symbols. They represent
dominion over terrestrial forces.
- Sphinx - the pillars of the Tree of
Life. In this case representing nature. Note
they pull in different directions. They require
the will of the charioteer.
- .V.T - shown on the shield of some
older decks. The periods are to the left to
symbolize that they are to be read like Hebrew
from right to left. In this way, they symbolize
the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Tav
originally drawn as a cross. The crossing arms
symbolize the combination of the vertical male
line, and the horizontal female line.
- Walled City - the Chariot is assigned to the Hebrew letter Cheth which means a fence or enclosure.
-
Wand or Scepter - in the hands of the Charioteer
it represents his will. When crowned with a
figure eight combined with a crescent, it
represents the combination of the Magician and
High Priestess, the self-conscious and
subconscious. His success being due to this
successful combination.
|
Textbook
of the Tarot by Janet Berres of the International
Tarot Society
A Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray
Sources of the Waite/Smith Tarot Symbols
info
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