Signs on tarot clothing quiz: crosses, lions, salamanders
The Priestess's white cross, the Hierophant's gold crosses, the Wands' salamanders, lotuses on the Page of Cups: learn what is stitched on the figures and why.
- 5 questions
- ≈ 2 min
- +5 bronze keys for a flawless run
What do the signs on tarot figures' clothing mean?
This quiz checks whether you remember the signs, embroidery and patterns on the clothing of the Tayna deck's figures: crosses, lions, lilies, salamanders, lotuses, stars and numerals on banners, and whether you understand them. You will match a card to a sign, choose the right reading and take apart a couple of myths. Every detail comes from the descriptions of our own artwork.
Embroidery on clothing is a signature a figure wears. It tells you which element a person belongs to, what they serve and what matters to them. Sometimes a sign repeats on a throne, a banner or in the sky, and then it becomes the main theme of the whole card.
How do you read embroidery and banners?
Animals on clothing speak of character. The salamanders on the Page of Wands' tunic and on the Knight of Wands' surcoat are the fire spirits of the suit: passion still young and playful, or already charging ahead. The golden lions on the King of Wands' mantle are courage that has become habit and authority.
Flowers on fabric speak of intention. The lotuses on the Page of Cups' tunic are the gentleness with which he learns to understand his feelings. Golden lilies on a cloak or a horse's caparison stress the purity and nobility of whoever wears them.
Crosses, stars and numerals belong to spirit and order. The white cross on the High Priestess's breast, the gold crosses on the Hierophant's stole and the red cross on Judgement's banner speak of a meaning larger than one person. The numeral on Death's banner is no sentence: a white rose of renewal sits beside it.
How the quiz works
Each run draws five questions from twelve, with the answers shuffled. After you answer, an explanation appears with a link to the card page. Keys come for a flawless run, and you can replay as often as you like.
All questions and answers
Open after you play: the full question set with right answers and explanations.
1. Who wears a white cross on her breast and holds a rolled scroll on her lap?
Right answer: The High Priestess
The High Priestess: a white cross on her breast and a rolled scroll, some truth is read by feeling, not by eye.
2. What winds in a black pattern over the Page of Wands' yellow tunic?
Right answer: Salamanders, fire spirits
The pattern shows salamanders, the fire spirits of the suit: the Page's passion is still young and playful.
3. Who wears red vestments with a white stole embroidered with gold crosses?
Right answer: The Hierophant
The Hierophant: red vestments with a white stole of gold crosses, and two disciples bowing before him.
4. Patterns on tarot figures' clothes are mere decoration.
Right answer: Myth
The golden lions on the King of Wands' mantle are courage turned into habit and authority. The pattern speaks.
5. What does the Venus sign on the heart by the Empress's throne mean?
Right answer: Love as foundation
The Venus sign on the stone and in the sky: love, sensuality and beauty are not a reward here but the foundation.
6. On which card does a man in a red cloak with golden lilies watch a craftsman?
Right answer: Three of Pentacles
Three of Pentacles: the craftsman, the monk with the plan and the man in the lily cloak, three roles in one task.
7. What banner hangs from the angel's trumpet on Judgement?
Right answer: White with a red cross
A white banner with a red cross hangs from the golden trumpet, while below people rise from their tombs.
8. Which knight wears a yellow surcoat with black salamanders over his armour?
Right answer: Knight of Wands
Knight of Wands: salamanders on the surcoat and a cloak like flames, the suit's fire in full motion.
9. What do the pink lotuses on the Page of Cups' tunic speak of?
Right answer: Gentleness
The lotuses on his tunic speak of gentleness, while the rough sea behind him shows feelings can run strong.
10. The Roman numeral XIII on Death's banner is a sign of bad luck.
Right answer: Myth
The same black banner bears a white rose, purity and renewal. The card is about change, not misfortune.
11. Who wears a star-strewn blue cloak and a laurel wreath on her head?
Right answer: Two of Cups
Two of Cups: she wears a starry blue cloak and laurel, he a red cloak and roses; each brings their own to the union.
12. What does the green mantle beside red mean on the King of Wands?
Right answer: Fire that grows things
Green beside red says this king's fire does not only burn; it also makes things grow.