What tarot figures hold quiz: from lantern to staff
The Hermit's lantern, an ankh sceptre and orb, two water jugs, a banner with a white rose: guess who holds what on the cards and what the object tells you.
- 5 questions
- ≈ 2 min
- +5 bronze keys for a flawless run
What do the figures on tarot cards hold?
This quiz checks whether you remember what the figures on the Tayna deck hold in their hands and why. You will match a card to the object in a hand, pick the right reading and take apart a couple of myths. Every detail comes from the descriptions of our own artwork.
An object in the hand is the most direct way to show what a person is busy with and what they lean on. A lantern lights the way, a sceptre rules, a jug gives, a hammer builds. Even the grip matters: a tight fist, an open palm and a coin lifted carefully to the face tell different stories.
How do you read an object and a gesture together?
An open palm usually speaks of offering and trust. The hand from the cloud on the Ace of Pentacles holds its coin openly: the chance is given, and taking it is up to you. The Queen of Swords' open palm shows there is no coldness behind her strictness.
A raised object is something shown to the world. The Knight of Cups carries his cup before him like a gift, the Six of Wands rider lifts his wreath so everyone sees the victory, the Hermit holds his lantern high to light the way for himself and others. An object pressed to the heart is the opposite: something you are afraid to let go.
Two objects in two hands often speak of balance. The Star pours water from two jugs, the dancer on The World holds two light staffs, the Emperor a sceptre and an orb. And when the hands hold too much, as on the Ten of Wands, the load blocks the view, and the card asks what you could put down.
How to play
Each run draws five questions from twelve, with the answers reshuffled. After you answer, an explanation appears with a link to the card page. Keys come for a flawless run, and you can return to the quiz as often as you like.
All questions and answers
Open after you play: the full question set with right answers and explanations.
1. Who holds a golden ankh sceptre in one hand and an orb in the other?
Right answer: The Emperor
The Emperor: an ankh sceptre and an orb in his hands, mountains behind him, an order built with work and time.
2. Why did the man on the Seven of Swords not carry off every sword?
Right answer: Every plan leaves something
He couldn't take them all, and two stayed behind: even the cleverest plan leaves something in place.
3. Who carries two swords on his shoulder and leans on a third?
Right answer: Five of Swords
Five of Swords: the youth has gathered nearly all the swords and won on paper, while two others walk off to the water.
4. An empty open palm on a tarot card is a sign of loss.
Right answer: Myth
The Queen of Swords holds out an open palm: there is no coldness behind her strictness, she is ready to listen.
5. What do the couple's hands raised to the sky on the Ten of Cups mean?
Right answer: Gratitude
The raised hands are thanks, not demands: the couple doesn't hold the cups, they rejoice that the cups are there.
6. Who holds a light staff with a golden tip in each hand?
Right answer: The World
The World: the dancer's two staffs speak of balanced opposites joined in one person.
7. What does the golden sceptre in the Empress's hand say?
Right answer: Gentle power
The sceptre shows that gentle power rules too: it makes things grow rather than giving orders.
8. Who holds a black banner bearing a large white rose?
Right answer: Death
Death: the white rose on the black banner and the white horse mean purity and renewal after an ending.
9. Why does the Knight of Cups hold his cup high before him?
Right answer: Offering his feeling
The raised cup is a feeling he carries openly, like a gift: he does not hide it, he offers it.
10. The more a figure holds, the luckier the card.
Right answer: Myth
The Ten of Wands carries ten staffs: each was light alone, but together they block his view.
11. How does the Page of Pentacles look at the coin raised to his face?
Right answer: With interest
He holds the coin gently and with attention, not greed: he wants to know what could grow from it.
12. Who holds a hammer and chisel, with sparks flying from the chisel?
Right answer: Eight of Pentacles
Eight of Pentacles: finished pentacles hang on a post, and the one on the bench is a lesson still under way.