Horns and bat wings
The dark side of human nature: the instincts, fears and desires we hide.
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Major Arcana · XV
The Devil Tarot Card Meaning
The Devil is a card of temptation, addiction and hidden desires. It shows what holds you captive: fear, a habit, money or passion. The card reminds you that the chains are often put on willingly and can be taken off.
Upright
- temptation
- addiction
- passion
- materialism
- manipulation
Reversed
- liberation
- breaking an addiction
- awareness
- regaining control
- giving up what harms you
Yes or no
No
The Devil answers “no”: what you want may turn out to be a trap. If the question is about passion or money, it is “yes,” but at a high price.
Ask the cards your own question →- Number
- XV
- Element
- Earth
- Astrology
- Capricorn
Card symbolism in our deck
On the card in Heinrich Pangrau’s deck is a horned figure with bat wings and a pentagram on its chest. It raises a torch. Below, a naked man and woman with tails are chained, with flames all around.
Pentagram on the chest
The power of the material over the spiritual. Money and the body become what matters most.
Raised torch
The fire of passion, which lures you in but can burn.
Chained man and woman
Dependence in relationships and on habits. The chains are loose: you can take them off yourself.
Tails
A person comes to resemble what they serve. The animal side takes over.
Flames
Consuming passions, and at the same time an energy that can be turned toward creation.
The Devil meaning
The Devil upright is temptation and dependence. It may be a habit, a toxic relationship, working only for the money, a passion that robs you of freedom. The card shows what is holding you.
The Devil also speaks of manipulation: someone is exploiting your weaknesses, or you yourself are trying to control others. At the same time, the card carries enormous energy (desire, sexuality, ambition) that you can turn to your advantage.
The Devil reversed
The Devil reversed is liberation. A person recognizes their dependence and starts breaking the chains: leaving a toxic relationship, quitting a harmful habit.
Sometimes it means you are facing your fears and taking back control of your life. The process may be hard, but it is the path to freedom.
The Devil in love, work, money and health
Love and relationships
Upright Strong passion and attraction, but also codependency, jealousy and control. A relationship that is hard to leave.
Reversed Breaking free of a toxic bond, the end of codependency.
Feelings This person feels a strong attraction to you, sometimes an obsessive one. They may be driven by passion or by a desire for control.
Work and career
Upright Working only for the money, without any joy. Pressure, manipulation, shady schemes.
Reversed Leaving a job you dislike, walking away from dubious projects.
Money
Upright Big money, but also debts, loans and gambling. Be careful with temptations.
Reversed Getting out of debt, a sensible attitude toward money.
Health
Upright Harmful habits, addictions, overeating. Time to pay attention to what is hurting your body.
Reversed Giving up harmful habits, recovery.
The Devil as a person
As a person, The Devil is charismatic, magnetic and domineering. Knows how to seduce and manipulate. Can be very successful materially.
The card’s advice
Upright Take an honest look at what is holding you and decide whether you need it.
Reversed Keep freeing yourself: you are on the right track.
Card of the Day
Draw your card of the day
The Devil as the card of the day
A day of temptations. Watch out for impulse spending and do not give in to manipulation.
Combinations with other cards
- The Devil + The LoversA passionate but dependent bond.
- The Devil + The TowerThe sudden destruction of what held you captive.
- The Devil + TemperanceStruggling with an addiction, looking for moderation.
- The Devil + Eight of SwordsA feeling of being trapped with no way out in sight.
- The Devil + Four of PentaclesGreed, an obsession with money.
- The Devil + The StarLiberation and hope after a dark period.
Frequently asked questions about The Devil
Is The Devil a yes or no card?
More often “no”: what you want may turn out to be a trap.
What does The Devil mean in a relationship?
Strong passion, but also codependency, jealousy and control.
What does The Devil reversed mean?
Freedom from addiction and regaining control.
What kind of person is The Devil?
A charismatic, domineering person who knows how to manipulate.
What does The Devil mean as the card of the day?
A day of temptations: keep an eye on your spending and impulses.