The Chariot Tarot Art History: Symbolism Across Decks

BY NICOLE LAU

The Chariot has been charging forward for over 500 years, but its appearance has evolved dramatically across different tarot traditions. From medieval triumph to victorious warrior, each deck's interpretation reveals different facets of this master of willpower and determination. This is the art history of The Chariot—how symbolism, culture, and philosophy have shaped the card we know today.

The Origins: Medieval Tarocchi (15th Century)

The earliest known tarot decks emerged in 15th-century Italy. The Chariot was originally "Il Carro"—representing triumph, victory, and the conquering hero.

Key characteristics:

• Victorious figure in a chariot or cart
• Often pulled by horses or other animals
• Representing military triumph and conquest
• Focus on victory and success
• Numbered VII (the seventh card of the Major Arcana)

Symbolic meaning: In medieval society, The Chariot represented military victory, triumph in battle, and the conquering hero returning home. This was about external conquest and visible success.

This wasn't yet the willpower-focused card we know today—it was about triumph through force and military might.

Tarot de Marseille (17th-18th Century)

The Marseille tradition standardized tarot imagery across Europe. The Chariot retained the triumph motif while becoming more symbolic.

Key characteristics:

• Crowned figure in a chariot
• Two horses or sphinxes pulling the chariot
• Canopy above the charioteer
• Armor and royal regalia
• Focus on victory and control
• Numbered VII

Symbolic evolution: The Marseille Chariot is about controlled victory. The charioteer must master the horses (representing opposing forces) to move forward successfully.

This version emphasizes control, mastery, and the skill required to achieve victory—not just brute force.

Rider-Waite-Smith Deck (1909)

This is the transformation that defined The Chariot for modern tarot. Created by artist Pamela Colman Smith under Arthur Edward Waite's direction, this version elevated The Chariot from military triumph to willpower and determination.

Key characteristics:

• Armored charioteer standing upright
• Crowned with a star
• Two sphinxes—one black, one white
• No reins—control through willpower alone
• Canopy of stars above
• City behind, representing what's been conquered
• Focus on willpower, determination, and inner control
• Numbered 7 or VII

Symbolic revolution: Waite and Smith completely reimagined The Chariot. No longer about military conquest, this became about willpower, determination, and the ability to harness opposing forces through mastery rather than force.

The two sphinxes—one black, one white—represent opposing forces: light and dark, conscious and unconscious, positive and negative. The charioteer controls them through willpower alone, with no reins needed.

The armor represents emotional protection—the Cancer shell that allows forward movement while protecting vulnerability.

The star crown represents divine guidance and cosmic support for this victorious journey.

This version asks: What if The Chariot isn't about conquering others, but about mastering yourself and directing your own energy?

Thoth Tarot (1969)

Created by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris, the Thoth deck presents The Chariot as a cosmic principle of directed will and spiritual victory.

Key characteristics:

• Armored figure in elaborate chariot
• Four sphinxes representing the four elements
• Rich alchemical and astrological symbols
• Cancer symbolism prominent (crab, water)
• Grail symbolizing the Holy Grail quest
• Focus on spiritual victory and directed will
• Numbered VII

Symbolic depth: Crowley's Chariot is the directed will—the focused energy that achieves spiritual victory. This is the chariot of the soul, moving toward enlightenment.

The four sphinxes represent the four elements (fire, water, air, earth) all harnessed and directed by the charioteer's will.

The Cancer connection emphasizes emotional strength, protective armor, and the determination to move forward despite vulnerability.

Crowley wrote: "The Chariot represents the Spiritual Self of Man." The victory isn't external—it's the triumph of the higher self over lower impulses.

Modern Interpretations (1970s-Present)

Contemporary tarot has exploded with diverse interpretations of The Chariot, each reflecting different cultural perspectives and spiritual philosophies.

Wild Unknown Tarot (Kim Krans)

The Chariot appears as a horse in motion—pure forward momentum, natural power, and instinctive determination. Emphasizes The Chariot's connection to movement and natural force.

Modern Witch Tarot (Lisa Sterle)

Contemporary figure in a car or modern vehicle, charging forward with determination. Brings The Chariot into accessible, modern context.

Afro-Brazilian Tarot

The Chariot as Ogum, Yoruba deity of war and iron—divine warrior, protector, and overcomer of obstacles. Emphasizes strength and protection.

Tarot of the Divine (Yoshi Yoshitani)

The Chariot as various warrior deities from world mythology—emphasizing universal themes of victory and determination across cultures.

Symbolic Elements Across Traditions

The Vehicle

Medieval: Military chariot or cart
Marseille: Ceremonial chariot
Rider-Waite: Symbolic chariot (no wheels visible)
Thoth: Elaborate cosmic chariot
Modern: Various vehicles or pure movement

The Pulling Forces

Medieval: Horses or animals
Marseille: Two horses
Rider-Waite: Two sphinxes (black and white)
Thoth: Four sphinxes (four elements)
Modern: Sometimes present, often reimagined

The Armor

Medieval: Military armor
Marseille: Royal armor and regalia
Rider-Waite: Emotional armor with crescents
Thoth: Elaborate spiritual armor
Modern: Sometimes present, often symbolic

The Control Method

Medieval: Reins and force
Marseille: Reins and skill
Rider-Waite: No reins—willpower alone
Thoth: Directed will and spiritual mastery
Modern: Various methods or pure intention

Cultural Interpretations

Western Esoteric Tradition

The Chariot as the triumph of will, the mastery of opposing forces, and the victory that comes through focused determination.

Psychological Interpretation

The Chariot as the archetype of willpower, the ego's ability to direct energy, and the integration of opposing forces within the psyche.

Spiritual Perspectives

The Chariot as the soul's journey, the spiritual warrior, and the determination to move toward enlightenment despite obstacles.

Modern Empowerment

The Chariot as personal power, the ability to overcome obstacles, and the determination to achieve goals through focused effort.

Evolution of The Chariot's Number

The Chariot has consistently been numbered 7 (or VII) across traditions, but the meaning of that number has evolved:

Medieval: Simply the seventh card in sequence

Marseille: The number of victory and triumph

Rider-Waite: The number of spiritual completion and mastery

Thoth: The number of directed will—the seven chakras aligned

Seven is the number of victory, spiritual completion, and the mastery that comes from focused willpower.

What The Art Reveals

Across five centuries and countless decks, certain truths about The Chariot remain constant:

• They always involve victory—whether military, personal, or spiritual
• They represent forward movement—whether through force or will
• They require control—whether through reins or willpower
• They involve opposing forces—whether horses, sphinxes, or elements
• They are numbered seven—the principle of victory and completion

The art evolves, but the archetype endures. The Chariot keeps demonstrating that victory comes through determination, obstacles are meant to be overcome, and willpower creates triumph.

Choosing Your Chariot

When selecting a tarot deck, pay attention to how The Chariot is depicted. Different artistic interpretations will resonate with different aspects of your journey:

Choose Rider-Waite if: You want clear symbolic imagery and the classic willpower interpretation.

Choose Thoth if: You're drawn to spiritual victory, cosmic will, and Crowley's philosophy.

Choose Marseille if: You prefer traditional imagery and want to connect with the mastery aspect of The Chariot.

Choose modern decks if: You want representation that reflects your culture, identity, or contemporary understanding of victory.

Or collect multiple decks and notice how The Chariot speaks differently through each artistic lens. The archetype is vast enough to contain all interpretations.

The Chariot's Future

As tarot continues to evolve, so will The Chariot. Future decks will undoubtedly present new interpretations—perhaps The Chariot as collective action, as sustainable momentum, as the determination to create systemic change.

But regardless of how the art changes, The Chariot's essential message remains: You have the power to move forward. Through willpower, determination, and focused energy, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve victory.

The Chariot has been charging forward for 500 years, demonstrating this truth. It will be charging forward for 500 more. Because the principle it embodies is eternal: willpower creates victory, determination overcomes obstacles, and focused energy achieves triumph.

May you find your Chariot.
May its image speak to your willpower.
May its victory call to your determination.
May you discover, through art, that you've always been The Chariot.