The Lovers Tarot Art History: Symbolism Across Decks
BY NICOLE LAU
The Lovers have been choosing union for over 500 years, but their appearance has evolved dramatically across different tarot traditions. From medieval choice between virtue and vice to divine union beneath an angel, each deck's interpretation reveals different facets of this master of conscious decision. This is the art history of The Lovers—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 Lovers was originally "Gli Amanti" or "L'Amoreux"—representing love, choice, and the decision between virtue and vice.
Key characteristics:
- Young man choosing between two women
- One woman representing virtue, one representing vice
- Cupid or angel above, sometimes shooting arrow
- Focus on moral choice and temptation
- Numbered VI (the sixth card of the Major Arcana)
Symbolic meaning: In medieval society, The Lovers represented moral choice—the decision between virtue and vice, duty and desire, the spiritual and the carnal. This was about choosing the right path, not about romantic love.
This wasn't yet the divine union we know today—it was a moral test, a choice between two paths.
Tarot de Marseille (17th-18th Century)
The Marseille tradition standardized tarot imagery across Europe. The Lovers retained the choice motif while becoming more formalized.
Key characteristics:
- Young man between two women
- Cupid or angel above with bow and arrow
- One woman often crowned (virtue), one not (vice)
- Man's hand gesturing toward one woman
- Focus still on choice and decision
- Numbered VI
Symbolic evolution: The Marseille Lovers is more about choice than union. The young man must choose between two paths, two loves, two ways of being. The angel above represents divine guidance in making the right choice.
This version emphasizes free will, moral decision-making, and the consequences of choice.
Rider-Waite-Smith Deck (1909)
This is the transformation that defined The Lovers for modern tarot. Created by artist Pamela Colman Smith under Arthur Edward Waite's direction, this version elevated The Lovers from moral choice to divine union.
Key characteristics:
- Man and woman standing naked and unashamed
- Archangel Raphael blessing them from above
- Tree of Knowledge with serpent behind woman
- Tree of Life with twelve flames behind man
- Mountain in background
- Garden of Eden setting
- Focus on union, integration, and conscious choice
- Numbered 6 or VI
Symbolic revolution: Waite and Smith completely reimagined The Lovers. No longer about choosing between two women, this became about the union of masculine and feminine, the integration of opposites, and the conscious choice to unite.
The naked figures represent vulnerability, authenticity, and the original innocence of Eden. The man looks at the woman, the woman looks at the angel—showing that true union requires both human connection and divine alignment.
The Tree of Knowledge represents consciousness and choice. The Tree of Life represents being and connection. Together, they show that The Lovers integrate both—consciousness and being, knowledge and life.
The Archangel Raphael (angel of healing) blesses their union, showing that this choice is divinely approved.
This version asks: What if The Lovers isn't about choosing between good and evil, but about choosing union with consciousness and divine blessing?
Thoth Tarot (1969)
Created by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris, the Thoth deck presents The Lovers as a cosmic principle of union and integration.
Key characteristics:
- Royal wedding or alchemical marriage
- Multiple figures representing different aspects of union
- Alchemical and astrological symbols
- Gemini symbolism prominent (twins, duality)
- Rich colors suggesting integration
- Focus on sacred marriage and alchemy
- Numbered VI
Symbolic depth: Crowley's Lovers is the alchemical marriage—the union of opposites that creates something new. This is the hieros gamos, the sacred marriage, the integration that transforms.
The Gemini connection emphasizes duality, communication, and the integration of opposites. The twins become one through conscious choice and divine union.
Crowley wrote: "The Lovers represents the completion of the Magical Formula of the Rose and Cross." The union of masculine and feminine, active and receptive, consciousness and being.
Modern Interpretations (1970s-Present)
Contemporary tarot has exploded with diverse interpretations of The Lovers, each reflecting different cultural perspectives and spiritual philosophies.
Wild Unknown Tarot (Kim Krans)
The Lovers appear as two swans forming a heart—pure union, grace, and partnership. Emphasizes The Lovers' connection to divine union and sacred partnership.
Modern Witch Tarot (Lisa Sterle)
Diverse couple in contemporary setting, choosing each other consciously. Brings The Lovers into accessible, modern relationship practice.
Afro-Brazilian Tarot
The Lovers as Oxum and Xangô, Yoruba deities of love and power—divine union, sacred partnership, and the integration of different energies.
Tarot of the Divine (Yoshi Yoshitani)
The Lovers as various divine couples from world mythology—emphasizing universal themes of sacred union across cultures.
Symbolic Elements Across Traditions
The Choice
Medieval: Choosing between two women (virtue vs. vice)
Marseille: Young man choosing between two paths
Rider-Waite: Choosing union, choosing consciousness
Thoth: Choosing integration and alchemical marriage
Modern: Choosing partnership, choosing authenticity
The Angel/Cupid
Medieval: Cupid shooting arrow of love/temptation
Marseille: Angel or cupid guiding choice
Rider-Waite: Archangel Raphael blessing union
Thoth: Integrated into overall symbolism
Modern: Sometimes present, often reimagined
The Trees
Medieval: Not present
Marseille: Not explicitly shown
Rider-Waite: Tree of Knowledge and Tree of Life central to imagery
Thoth: Represented through alchemical symbols
Modern: Sometimes present, often symbolic
The Nakedness
Medieval: Figures clothed
Marseille: Figures clothed
Rider-Waite: Naked and unashamed (Eden imagery)
Thoth: Varies by figure
Modern: Sometimes naked, sometimes clothed, always authentic
Cultural Interpretations
Western Esoteric Tradition
The Lovers as the sacred marriage, the union of opposites, the integration that creates wholeness and the conscious choice that makes union possible.
Psychological Interpretation
The Lovers as the archetype of union, the integration of anima and animus, the choice between different aspects of self.
Relationship Perspectives
The Lovers as conscious partnership, soulmate connection, and the choice to unite with awareness and divine blessing.
Modern Spirituality
The Lovers as authentic connection, conscious choice, and the integration of all parts of yourself before seeking union with another.
Evolution of The Lovers' Number
The Lovers have consistently been numbered 6 (or VI) across traditions, but the meaning of that number has evolved:
Medieval: Simply the sixth card in sequence
Marseille: The number of choice and decision
Rider-Waite: The number of harmony, balance, and union of opposites
Thoth: The number of integration—the hexagram, the union of triangles
Six is the number of harmony, balance, and the union of opposites. It represents the integration that creates wholeness.
What The Art Reveals
Across five centuries and countless decks, certain truths about The Lovers remain constant:
- They always involve choice—whether between paths, partners, or aspects of self
- They represent union—whether moral, romantic, or spiritual
- They require consciousness—whether choosing virtue or choosing integration
- They involve the divine—whether angel, cupid, or sacred blessing
- They are numbered six—the principle of harmony and integration
The art evolves, but the archetype endures. The Lovers keep demonstrating that choice is sacred, union is conscious, and integration creates wholeness.
Choosing Your Lovers
When selecting a tarot deck, pay attention to how The Lovers are depicted. Different artistic interpretations will resonate with different aspects of your journey:
Choose Rider-Waite if: You want clear symbolic imagery and the classic divine union interpretation.
Choose Thoth if: You're drawn to alchemical marriage, cosmic union, and Crowley's philosophy.
Choose Marseille if: You prefer traditional imagery and want to connect with the choice aspect of The Lovers.
Choose modern decks if: You want representation that reflects your relationships, identity, or contemporary partnership practice.
Or collect multiple decks and notice how The Lovers speak differently through each artistic lens. The archetype is vast enough to contain all interpretations.
The Lovers' Future
As tarot continues to evolve, so will The Lovers. Future decks will undoubtedly present new interpretations—perhaps The Lovers as conscious co-creation, as integration of multiple identities, as the choice to be authentic in all relationships.
But regardless of how the art changes, The Lovers' essential message remains: You have the power to choose. Your choices create your reality. Choose consciously. Choose with alignment. Choose with your whole being.
The Lovers have been standing beneath the angel for 500 years, demonstrating this truth. They'll be standing there for 500 more. Because the principle they embody is eternal: conscious choice creates sacred union, integration creates wholeness, and divine blessing comes to those who choose with awareness.
May you find your Lovers.
May their image speak to your choice.
May their union call to your integration.
May you discover, through art, that you've always been The Lovers.
