According to tradition this tarot card is related to sacrifice, sometimes a connection with crucifixions is made. This sacrifice is an act where we lose something important or when we give up something important voluntarily. But on the other hand we may receive something more important, something that has a higher ‘value’ than the ‘value’ of the thing we lost.
Only one leg of the man is tied up, and in a morbid way he seems satisfied. His hands are hidden from us, that has a symbolic meaning also which refers to the fact that this person surrendered himself for a while, he gave up his right to control or lead his life in order to gain something even bigger and more valuable. He is hanging upside down and this posture tells us that his root is in heaven, but his life links back to Earth.
The position of the legs of the Hanged Man takes the form of the number 4, and it is known that this is the number of the Emperor. These two tarot cards are related to each other. The number 4 represents stability, the tangible and the material world and the Emperor primarily symbolises vision. We can conclude that the Hanged Man sees the world differently, from a reverse perspective.
In summary: The Hanged Man is all about voluntary sacrifice, but also about gaining the sort of thing that has special value. This warns us that we are ready to make a decision; we have to choose what is important for us, and what is worth sacrificing in our life. Our decision could be related to a milestone on our path in life or could be solely related to a particular situation. We will need our willpower in order to make the right decision and to be determined in order to make the necessary sacrifice, regardless of its price. This card can warn us of an uncertainty in us caused by the coming change, but if this situation continues too long it can turn into stagnation or fear.
The Hanged Man is the herald of change – so get ready for this change! This chan