Symbolism in Tarot and Chinese Mysticism: What Do They Have in Common?

Some symbols hold power beyond their immediate meaning. They speak to something deeper, something felt rather than explained. This is the nature of Tarot and Chinese Mysticism—both systems weave intricate layers of symbols into their traditions, tapping into universal truths that transcend time and culture.

At first glance, they seem different. Tarot comes from Western esoteric traditions, deeply tied to divination, storytelling, and archetypes. Chinese Mysticism, rooted in Taoism, I Ching, and ancient metaphysical practices, is steeped in philosophy, balance, and cosmic harmony. But when you strip away the cultural differences, their symbols share striking similarities. Both reveal hidden patterns in life, emphasize balance, and connect human existence to the unseen forces that shape reality.

Let’s break down these common threads and see how these two traditions, though born from different parts of the world, speak the same symbolic language.

The Language of Symbols: A Universal Connection

Symbols are not just artistic decorations. They are containers of meaning, representing ideas, emotions, and natural laws. Whether in Tarot or Chinese Mysticism, these symbols serve as a bridge between the seen and unseen.

The Concept of Duality: Yin-Yang and Tarot’s Polarities

Tarot and Chinese Mysticism both revolve around the idea of balance and opposing forces working together.

• The Yin-Yang symbol represents complementary opposites—dark and light, passive and active, feminine and masculine. Neither is good or bad; they exist in a state of perpetual movement, each containing a seed of the other.
• In Tarot, similar concepts show up in cards like The High Priestess (passive, intuitive, lunar) and The Magician (active, manifesting, solar). The Lovers card, often mistaken for just romance, is also about duality and harmony between opposing energies.

Both traditions teach that one cannot exist without the other. The key is not to fight these forces but to understand their rhythm and flow.

Numerology and Cosmic Patterns

Numbers hold weight in both systems. They’re not just about counting but about mapping the universe.

• Tarot’s Major Arcana follows a structured numerical sequence where each number carries meaning. The Fool (0) represents infinite potential, while The World (21) signifies completion.
• In Chinese Mysticism, numbers dictate fate. The I Ching, an ancient text of divination, is based on 64 hexagrams, each made of six broken or unbroken lines, forming a precise system of change and destiny.

Numbers act as cosmic markers, guiding interpretation and insight. The belief is that understanding these numerical patterns can reveal deeper truths about life’s cycles.

Nature’s Influence: Elements and the Flow of Energy

Nature plays a foundational role in both traditions, but the way they categorize its forces is where their uniqueness shines.

The Five Elements vs. The Four Elements

• Chinese Mysticism revolves around Five Elements (Wu Xing): Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These are not just physical elements but also phases of transformation that dictate energy flow in the universe.
• Tarot’s foundation is built on Four Elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, aligning with alchemy and Western esoteric traditions.

Despite this difference, the meaning behind these elements overlaps.

• Fire represents action, passion, and transformation in both systems.
• Water is intuition, emotion, and adaptability.
• Earth signifies stability, grounding, and the material world.
• Air (in Tarot) and Metal (in Wu Xing) symbolize intellect, logic, and communication.

The concept remains the same—elements are not static but part of a living, breathing system of change.

The Flow of Qi and The Fool’s Journey

Energy movement is another striking similarity.

• Chinese Mysticism emphasizes Qi (Chi)—the life force that moves through everything. Practices like Feng Shui, acupuncture, and Tai Chi focus on directing Qi to maintain harmony.
• Tarot’s Fool’s Journey represents the movement of spiritual energy through life’s stages, where each Major Arcana card marks a phase of development.

Both systems see energy as something to be worked with rather than controlled, emphasizing adaptability and awareness.

Symbolic Creatures and Archetypes

Creatures in mythology often serve as messengers of deeper truths. Tarot and Chinese Mysticism both feature animals as symbolic forces.

Dragons and The Emperor

• The Dragon, in Chinese tradition, is a symbol of power, wisdom, and transformation. It’s not a creature to be feared but respected—it embodies strength in its most fluid and adaptable form.
• Tarot’s Emperor holds a similar role. He represents structure, authority, and the wise ruler who brings order out of chaos. Like the dragon, he teaches that true power comes from understanding the forces around you rather than brute force alone.

Phoenix and Death/Rebirth

• The Phoenix is another shared motif. In China, it symbolizes renewal, grace, and balance, rising from ashes stronger than before.
• In Tarot, the Death card holds a nearly identical meaning. It’s not about literal death but transformation—burning away the old to make room for new growth.

These creatures serve as guides, teaching that life is a continuous cycle of endings and beginnings.

The Role of Divination: Seeing Beyond the Surface

Both Tarot and Chinese Mysticism use symbols for divination, but their methods differ.

The I Ching vs. Tarot Readings

• The I Ching, also called The Book of Changes, is one of the oldest divination tools. It uses a system of hexagrams to answer questions about life’s unfolding patterns. Instead of direct predictions, it offers wisdom about potential paths.
• Tarot, on the other hand, is visual. The images on the cards tell a story, providing insights through archetypes and subconscious connections.

Despite different approaches, both systems believe the future is not fixed but shaped by choices and energy shifts.

Synchronicity and Hidden Messages

Both traditions emphasize synchronicity—the idea that meaningful coincidences reveal hidden connections.

• In Tarot, drawing a specific card at a certain time is seen as a reflection of unseen influences.
• In the I Ching, the hexagram received is believed to resonate with the moment’s energy.

The message is clear: life is filled with signs, but you need to pay attention to see them.

To see how Tarot’s animal symbols align with traditional Chinese beliefs, including how the Chinese zodiac animals connect to broader mystical themes, explore these Chinese signs and their meanings.

Final Thoughts

At their core, Tarot and Chinese Mysticism are different expressions of the same human desire—to understand the unseen forces shaping our lives. Their symbols, though culturally distinct, point to universal truths: balance, transformation, and the deep connection between nature and the self.

They remind us that wisdom isn’t about controlling fate but about recognizing patterns, working with them, and trusting the rhythm of life. Whether through a deck of cards or ancient hexagrams, both traditions offer a mirror, reflecting truths that have always been there—waiting to be seen.