Published 13/12/2022 • Updated 10/11/2026 by Joanne Jones

The Sun Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed and Love

Written by the Trusted Psychics Editorial Team, with insight from Joanne Jones, Founder of Trusted Psychics.

The Sun Tarot card is one of the most joyous tarot cards in the Major Arcana, symbolising happiness, success, and clarity after uncertainty. But does drawing The Sun card in a reading mean good news is on its way, your relationship will improve, or someone has genuine feelings for you?

Upright, The Sun often represents personal accomplishments, emotional fulfilment, and positive developments.

Reversed, it can suggest delayed progress, unrealistic expectations or difficulties recognising what is already going well in your life.

In love Tarot readings, The Sun can indicate mutual affection, a promising new relationship, or a fresh start. However, its interpretation changes depending on whether you're asking about an existing partner, an ex, reconciliation, or someone's true feelings.

I'm Joanne Jones, Founder of Trusted Psychics, and I've spent over 40 years around psychic and Tarot readings. One thing I've learnt is that even the most positive Tarot card doesn't always mean what people first expect.

In this guide, I'll explain The Sun Tarot card's upright and reversed meanings, its significance in love and career, and how the surrounding cards can change its interpretation.

Joanne Jones's Insight: What Does the Sun Really Mean in a Tarot Reading?

When people see the Sun Tarot card appear in their reading, they are naturally overjoyed and filled with optimism that a difficult time may have passed.

For example, if your question was: Is my ex coming back? The Sun Card may indicate deep happiness, which could mean a reconciliation but could also mean new beginnings in your love life as you rebuild your confidence and move forward.

In a career reading, The Sun Card may indicate you may receive recognition for your loyalty and hard work, with the choice of a possible promotion or a career change.

It's best not to assume any one thing when this card appears, as there are many factors that go into an interpretation: the question asked and the position of the card along with the other cards. It can also represent things that are currently happening in your life that you should already appreciate.

A useful reference to read is our guide on Tarot Card Meanings: Complete Guide to all 78 Cards Explained

The Sun Tarot Card Meaning at a Glance

Card number: XIX — 19

Arcana: Major Arcana

The Sun Upright Tarot Card Meaning

This card can represent times where you feel more assured. Or perhaps enjoying things and having a clearer understanding.

Maybe something you've been trying to achieve will finally pay off. Whether that's gaining recognition, feeling good about a choice you made or knowing that something isn't as hard as it was before.

Something may be coming together after sustained effort, which you could receive recognition, feel proud of a decision, or notice that a situation is easier to navigate than it once was.

Its meaning also includes ordinary happiness. Time with someone you love, satisfaction in your work, or the pleasure of doing something for yourself can all fit this card.

You do not have to turn every positive experience into an achievement, the Sun leaves room for enjoyment without requiring a reason beyond the experience itself.

Recognising Progress

There can be a gap between doing well and noticing that you are doing well.

Someone learning a skill may concentrate on everything they still find difficult. Looking back at where they began can reveal how much has changed.

The Sun can symbolise that recognition. Success might involve a promotion or a completed project, but it can also mean becoming aware of abilities you have gradually developed.

A useful question is:

What is working that I have not given myself credit for?

The Sun Reversed Tarot Card Meaning

The Sun reversed does not necessarily remove the card’s positive qualities.

It can describe finding it harder to feel confident, appreciate progress or enjoy something that would usually lift your spirits. Expectations may be so high that a good result feels disappointing because it was not perfect.

Some interpretations emphasise delayed success or recognition. You may be making progress without yet seeing the result you hoped for.

The reversal can also highlight excessive optimism. Enthusiasm is valuable, but it may need a more realistic assessment of the situation.

Consider which interpretation fits the question. Are you overlooking something good, or expecting more than the circumstances currently support?

Our guide for Tarot Cards for Beginners: Complete Guide on How to Read Tarot Cards explains why a reversal does not necessarily cancel a card’s upright qualities.

The Sun Tarot Card Meaning in Love

In love tarot readings, The Sun card commonly represents affection, warmth, and enjoyment within a connection.

It can describe feeling comfortable together, sharing experiences and being able to express interest without constant uncertainty. There may be a sense of ease that allows both people to relax.

For an established couple, The Sun card can highlight companionship or a happy development in shared life. It may also encourage making time for the enjoyable parts of the relationship.

Its positive meaning does not require a partnership to be perfect. A relationship can contain disagreements and still offer affection, trust, and room to be yourself.

The Sun for Singles and New Relationships

Singles: The Sun can mean you'll feel more confident. More open to meeting others and enjoying other people’s company.

Allow yourself to be your true self around this person. Stop trying to be what they may want from you. See if you enjoy each other's company.

New Relationship: When you see the sun for a new relationship you will most likely feel that warmth towards one another. It could be something you understand about each other more easily. Allow yourself to have fun with this person. Take things slowly at first to explore what you want from this relationship, without expectations that the relationship will work out for you and them.

The Sun Tarot Card for Couples

If you and your partner have been together for some time, you may be entering into a happier phase of your relationship. Or perhaps your relationship will grow and become closer, whether it be spending more time with each other or coming to a conclusion in your relationship.

There are also times when The Sun can show that you and your partner should spend more time having fun together. Perhaps you are both too busy with work and chores?

The Sun Reversed in Love

The Sun reversed in love can suggest that enjoyment or closeness is harder to experience at present.

Self-doubt, pressure, or unrealistic expectations may be affecting the connection. A couple might have become so occupied with responsibilities that there is little time to enjoy being together.

Consider what would help you reconnect and whether your expectations leave room for an ordinary, imperfect relationship. It does not automatically mean affection has disappeared.

In another spread, the reversal may highlight pressure to appear happy while a concern remains unspoken. Try to understand your partner better or communicate with them. Perhaps your expectations need to change.

The Sun as Feelings: Upright and Reversed

The Sun as feelings can symbolise warmth, appreciation, and pleasure in a connection.

In a feelings position, it may describe emotional openness or feeling comfortable enough to express affection. Its positive associations can be encouraging when the question concerns a developing relationship.

Tarot cannot verify another person’s private feelings or intentions. Consider the reading alongside their communication and behaviour.

The Sun Reversed as Feelings

Reversed, The Sun can symbolise positive feelings complicated by self-doubt, disappointment or difficulty expressing them.

The reading may highlight attention being drawn towards what is missing rather than what is already valued. Someone may want to be with you, but they struggle to express their feelings, and their expectations may not be the same. Reversed, it may highlight uncertainty about how to move forward or if there is a future together.

What's to keep in mind is that they may love you but not want a relationship with you. The reversal should not be seen as evidence of a relationship breakup, but it can be seen as a time for reflection on your expectations.

As intentions, The Sun can symbolise wanting to approach a situation openly or help it develop positively. In a relationship reading, that might concern clearer communication, spending enjoyable time together or becoming more comfortable expressing interest.

Positive intentions and practical action are different, however. The card cannot establish what someone will do.

The Sun as a Relationship Outcome

As a relationship outcome the Sun could mean that there is room to become more open. To have fun together and learn more about one another.

If it’s a newer relationship this could mean learning to enjoy each other’s company. Or if you’re already together maybe discovering you love each other more.

This would depend on other cards in your spread and what both parties choose. It does not necessarily mean you’re getting married.

If you see The Sun reversed it may mean you’re having fun but something is blocking that happiness. Maybe you’re pressuring the relationship to become more then it is.

The Sun for an Ex or Reconciliation

The Sun can mean that you’re learning about what you got from that person if you’re asking about an ex.

Perhaps you came to terms with knowing that there were good times but know why you two aren't together. Only because there were good times doesn’t mean you should be with them.

If you’re asking if you’re going to get back with your ex The Sun is another card you may see. As The Sun can stand for being open. You may become open to discussing what happened and what you’re looking for.

You may come to terms with each other but don't think your ex is going to come back because you saw The Sun.

The Sun can shine light on things that you've learnt since your relationship. Knowing that there were good times but know why it’s over. Just because you had good times doesn't mean you should get back together.

In a reconciliation reading, The Sun’s themes of openness can encourage an honest discussion. What happened before, what has changed, and what would each person want now?

A renewed connection may be one possibility, but the card does not establish that an ex will return.

Our guide to Tarot Cards for Reconciliation explores how different cards can contribute to this type of reading.

The Sun Tarot Career Meaning

In career readings, The Sun can represent recognition, confidence, and satisfaction in your work.

A project may be progressing well, or your contribution could receive attention. The card can also describe enjoying the work itself and feeling able to contribute your ideas.

Recognition raises a useful question about direction. If someone offers you more work because you have done something well, is it work you want to continue?

Being capable of something and wanting to build a career around it are separate considerations.

The Sun Reversed in Career

If The Sun appears reversed it can mean you won’t be recognised as much. Maybe you’re not as confident in yourself as someone else that's further ahead. Or you came away from a situation not as high as you wanted but still made progress.

The Sun can also mean you need to think realistically. Just because you have a good idea doesn't mean you have all the pieces to make it happen.

To learn more about work read our article about career psychic readings.

The Sun Tarot Money Meaning

When the Sun card appears during a money reading it may indicate that you are looking after your finances more closely.

You may be looking at how you can save more money or looking to address your overspending on unnecessary items.

When reversed you may be over thinking things and feeling like you'll become wealthier than you already are or something isn't as great as you thought it would be.

The Sun Spiritual Meaning

When talking about spirituality the Sun can represent yourself and your gratitude for life.

You might want to look at what makes you happy and explore those areas of your life more. You may consider being creative or spending more time with friends that gives you a sense of enjoyment.

When reversed you could be comparing yourself to others or not allowing yourself to enjoy these things. Take time to reflect on what you’re missing.

The Sun Tarot Card Symbolism

The Rider–Waite–Smith Sun depicts a child riding a white horse beneath a large sun. Sunflowers grow behind a wall, and the child holds a red banner.

The open scene supports the card’s associations with warmth, innocence, and expression. Other decks may use different imagery, so begin with the card you are reading.

The Child and White Horse

Can be seen as representing openness and being free of pretence. There is nothing that you feel like you need to prove or hide. White horses can also represent power and innocence. This along with the peacefulness can point to self-assurance. When thinking about this card maybe ask yourself if you are comfortable being who you are.

The Sunflowers

Point us towards what we should be focused on and growing. Could also be used to ask what is feeding this situation and what has been growing. The sunflowers have other correspondences in some decks, which could be helpful when looking at your reading.

The Red Banner

The banner adds movement and energy to the image.

It is often interpreted as an expression of enthusiasm or vitality. Within a reading, it can encourage consideration of how confidence and enjoyment are being expressed.

Does the Sun Tarot Card Mean Pregnancy?

The child in the Rider–Waite–Smith image means The Sun is sometimes associated with children, family happiness, or pregnancy in Tarot interpretation.

Those symbols can also concern innocence, creativity, and enjoyment.

The Sun cannot determine whether someone is pregnant or predict a pregnancy outcome. Appropriate testing and qualified healthcare advice are the right sources for medical questions.

The Sun and Its Astrological Correspondence

The Sun’s commonly used planetary correspondence is the Sun itself.

Some readers also draw connections with Leo, the zodiac sign ruled by the Sun in astrology. That is a related association rather than a reason to treat the card exclusively as a Leo card.

Interpretations may vary, so it is useful to check the approach or refer to your guide: Understanding Astrology: A Beginner’s Guide.

Is the Sun a Yes or No Tarot Card?

In many modern yes-or-no Tarot interpretations, The Sun is read as an encouraging yes.

That follows from its associations with joy, achievement, and confidence. The question still matters, particularly when the decision has significant practical consequences.

Read it as part of the interpretation rather than permission to ignore information outside the spread.

The Sun Reversed: Yes or No?

The Sun reversed is not automatically a no.

Some readers see it as a qualified yes, a delay or encouragement to examine what is affecting confidence or progress.

Others place greater emphasis on unrealistic expectations. The question, position and approach to reversals help determine which interpretation is useful.

Our guide to yes-or-no Tarot reading explains how readers work with these simplified answers.

The Sun as Advice

The Sun as advice encourages appreciation and openness.

You might express thanks; share an idea you have kept to yourself or make time for an experience you enjoy. The advice becomes more useful when you connect it with the question: what would participating more openly look like here?

Reversed, it may involve adjusting an expectation or acknowledging a concern that has been affecting your confidence.

How the Spread Position Changes the Sun’s Meaning

A card’s position gives it a particular role. The Sun drawn as a strength will not necessarily answer the same question as The Sun drawn as an obstacle.

An upright card in an obstacle position does not have to be treated as reversed. Its usual qualities may themselves describe the challenge.

For example, confidence can support a presentation, while excessive confidence could discourage preparation. The position helps you decide which aspect to explore.

The Sun in Past, Present and Future Positions

The Sun in the future position describes a possible theme within the reading. It does not guarantee a particular achievement or event.

The Sun and the Moon: What Is the Difference?

The Moon often concerns uncertainty, imagination and difficulty interpreting a situation. The Sun emphasises illumination, warmth and understanding.

Their contrast can be useful, but it is not a rule that one card hides facts while the other reveals them.

Our Moon Tarot Card Meaning guide explores how intuition and uncertainty interact within a reading.

The Sun Tarot Card Combinations

The cards around The Sun help clarify where its warmth, recognition or understanding applies. These are starting points rather than fixed formulas. The question and positions determine what each card contributes.

The Sun and Four of Cups

This combination may prompt you to look at what you’re not satisfied with.

When the Sun and Four of Cups appear together could indicate that something isn't giving you satisfaction anymore or that you just got used to it. This reading should allow both options.

The Sun and Seven of Wands

Can show you standing tall in something you may be receiving more push back on.

This could be you trying to explain your point of view or defending something you believe in. You'll have to decide if the feedback is helpful.

The Sun and Ten of Wands

You have accomplished something but you now have more on your plate.

While the combination of the Sun and the Ten of Wands may bring success that opens more opportunities. You may need to consider if you can manage the additional pressure and workload.

The Sun in a Three-Card Spread

Knowing what position, the card landed in can help you understand its meaning to the question at hand.

Here is an example.

When The Sun appeared in our three card reading we identified that it was something they enjoyed. When the Ten of Wands appeared we knew they may have too many things going on to allow what they enjoy. The Three of Pentacles could tell us to talk to others and see if there is someone who can share the load. We can advise them to look at their current situation.

Explore three-card Tarot readings for more ways to work with a short spread.

Joanne’s Insight: Read the Position Before Deciding the Message

I find that sometimes when you get a great tarot card, you need to look deeper at why that card is showing up for you.

When I get The Sun, I will usually let its meaning stand. Perhaps they have a good relationship, achieved something in their life, or are just feeling happier with themselves.

Before I go into the interpretation, I will always look at where that card is placed in the reading.

For example.

If someone is enjoying their partner's company and has a loving relationship and is happy with most things in their life.

They may be choosing not to speak about financial matters as they don't want to ruin the happiness.

So, if the Sun shows up in a positive position, I could say it represents how you love your partner and are having fun together.

If the Sun appeared in your obstacle position? I would say that maybe because you're so happy, you are avoiding talking about something you should.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sun Tarot Card

Is the Sun the Most Positive Card in Tarot?

The Sun is interpreted as one of the best tarot cards to pull from the deck, with the Star and World being other positive cards as well. Each means something different to one another, though. The Star can be seen as hope and renewal. While The World is about completion and reaching something you desire. The Sun can be about self-confidence, happiness and living in the moment.

Does the Sun Mean I Will Receive Good News?

The Sun will often indicate there is good news on its way to you and usually something you have been hoping for over a period of time. After a period of darkness, it could mean that you'll be receiving some praise or clarity. Or just see your hard work come to fruition. But don't assume that it will.

Does the Sun Represent My Soulmate?

When asking if The Sun is your soulmate, think about how that person makes you feel. Are they comfortable with who you are? Do you both show that to one another? Keep this in mind when pulling this card. Of course, there is no way to tell if that person is your soulmate.

If the Sun Is an Obstacle, What Does It Mean?

It could be that you are too positive about something. Maybe you need to be careful not to force things or want everything to be rosy. Perhaps your partner wants everything to be great between you two and is not allowing room for healthy arguments.

What Does the Sun Mean in the Future?

If you ask a question about your future and receive The Sun. It can show that you will feel more independent. There could also be happiness, or something coming that is clearer. It all depends on what you are asking about. You could be receiving praise at work or feel more confident in a certain area of your life.

Is the Sun Reversed Yes or No?

Some would say yes, and others would say no. When pulling this card, keep in mind that your answer may be yes, but there are caveats. It could take longer, or something wasn't looked at. Again, keep in mind what question you're asking.

Does the Sun Mean Pregnancy?

There is a baby shown on this card, which leads people to believe that it has to do with children. But it can mean many things, such as innocence and happiness. No, you cannot use this card to know if you are pregnant or will have children. Please consult a doctor if these are your questions.

Difference Between the Sun and the Star

As mentioned above, these are both good tarot cards to pull. When dealing with the Star, you may be looking for something that is going to heal or give you hope. You may have lost faith in something or someone. The Sun allows you to know that you're happy and can show what you have been working on to get better.

The Sun brings warmth and encouragement to many readings. Its position helps you understand whether the emphasis falls on enjoyment, confidence, recognition, or something affecting your ability to experience those qualities. It can tell you about your current relationship, your past relationships, an opportunity you may receive or even your future.

Trusted Psychics Founder Joanne Jones says “The Sun Tarot card is the most encouraging and optimistic Tarot card in the deck.”

You can receive a personalised Tarot reading from one of our Top 10 Tarot Readers at Trusted Psychics. These experienced readers have been fully verified and have a long history of outstanding customer reviews for voice chat and live messenger readings.

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