Gestures in tarot quiz: hands and poses of the figures
The Hierophant's blessing, the Devil's raised palm, the Nine of Cups' folded arms: name the card from a gesture and learn what it says about the meaning.
- 5 questions
- ≈ 2 min
- +5 bronze keys for a flawless run
What do the figures' gestures mean in tarot?
This quiz checks whether you can read a card from the hands and posture of its figures. A gesture in tarot is a short hint: one movement can tell you the meaning faster than a caption. Every question is based on the Tayna deck's own artwork, so what counts is remembering exactly what each figure does.
Some gestures reach toward the sky. The Hierophant raises his right hand in blessing. The child on The Sun flings one arm wide, as if to say "I am not afraid." The couple on the Ten of Cups hold each other and lift their free arms to the sky in gratitude rather than demand. On Judgement a man presses his hands together while a woman reaches upward toward the light.
Other gestures close off. The young man on the Four of Cups sits with arms crossed and eyes lowered: he is not refusing out loud, he simply is not looking. The woman on the Two of Swords crosses her arms over her chest, a sword in each hand, guarding her heart but also keeping it shut.
One gesture, different meanings
It gets interesting when the same gesture appears on different cards. Folded arms on the Nine of Cups mean contentment: there is nothing left to prove. On the Four of Swords the knight rests with his hands folded on his chest. The pose looks alike, yet the meaning shifts each time, and the setting around the figure tells you how to read it.
The same goes for an open hand. The Ace of Pentacles offers its coin on an open palm: the chance is given, but taking it is up to you. The Ace of Swords, by contrast, grips its hilt firmly. The figure on The Devil raises its palm while holding chains in the other hand. The woman on Strength cradles the lion's head in both hands, and the beast leans into her on its own.
Each run draws five questions from a pool of twelve, with the options shuffled every time. Answers are final, but you can replay as often as you like. Tayna keys are awarded for a run with no mistakes. Every explanation links to the card page with the full scene, so if a picture slips your mind, take a look and try again.
All questions and answers
Open after you play: the full question set with right answers and explanations.
1. On which card does a man press his palms together while a woman reaches for the sky?
Right answer: Judgement
On Judgement a man, a woman and a child rise from stone tombs: the call reaches every age and every part of you.
2. What does the child's outflung arm say on The Sun?
Right answer: "I am not afraid"
The open arm is openness without fear. The white horse carries the child gently: joy needs no hiding.
3. Whose right hand is raised palm out while the left holds chains?
Right answer: The Devil
The Devil raises its right palm while the chains in its left run to the pair's collars. Yet the chains hang slack.
4. How do the folded arms of the Nine of Cups differ from the Four of Cups'?
Right answer: Content, not closed off
The Nine folds his arms and smiles: what he wanted is here. The Four folds his arms and looks down: he is not looking.
5. Who raises a right hand in blessing?
Right answer: The Hierophant
The Hierophant blesses with his right hand, holds a golden staff with a triple cross in his left, and has two disciples.
6. Arms crossed over the chest on a tarot card always mean refusal and anger.
Right answer: Myth
On the Nine of Cups it is contentment, on the Two of Swords a guarded heart, on the Four of Swords restful calm.
7. Whose hands reach toward each other and almost touch?
Right answer: The Lovers
On The Lovers two figures in leaf garlands reach for each other while an angel spreads its arms against the sun.
8. How does the woman on Strength handle the lion's head?
Right answer: Cradles it in both hands
She cradles the lion's head in both hands and it leans into her with trust: tamed by touch, not by struggle.
9. Who wraps both arms around a coin and hugs it to the chest?
Right answer: Four of Pentacles
The Four of Pentacles hugs a coin to his heart, another above his crown, two under his boots: he will not let one go.
10. How does the hand on the Ace of Pentacles differ from the Ace of Swords?
Right answer: The palm is open, not clenched
The Ace of Swords grips its hilt, while the Ace of Pentacles offers its coin on an open palm: the choice is yours.
11. Who kneels on one knee by a pool, pouring water from two jugs?
Right answer: The Star
The Star kneels by a pool, pouring one jug into the water and one onto the earth: you give, and strength returns.
12. How do the bishop and the king act before the rider's horse on Death?
Right answer: They bow before it
The bishop and king bow and a child kneels with flowers: all are equal before this rider, and titles give no shelter.