The Sun
joy · vitality · success
A laughing child rides through yellow chrysanthemums.
Upright meaning
Joy, warmth and things seen clearly. Success comes simply and there is nothing to hide. Enjoy it plainly, share it freely, and let yourself be seen.
joy · vitality · success · warmth · clarity
Reversed meaning
Joy dimmed by doubt, or success that feels hollow. The sun is still there behind the cloud. Let yourself enjoy what is good without waiting for it to be perfect.
dimmed joy · self-doubt · delay · overconfidence
What the card shows
A great pale-gold sun, ringed by a soft glow, fills the upper sky. Below it a laughing child with tied-up hair, in a red robe patterned with white flowers, rides a white pony at a trot through a field of tall yellow chrysanthemums, holding a blue banner printed with waves that streams out behind. A low garden wall runs behind them, with blue hills and pines beyond.
In Rider–Waite–Smith tarot a child rides a white horse beneath a radiant sun, a red banner in hand and sunflowers over a wall behind: joy, vitality, innocence and success in the open. The white horse is purity and strength. Here the sunflowers become chrysanthemums, autumn flowers long associated in Japan with long life. The wall marks a safe, cultivated place, and the child shows a joy that has nothing to hide.
The Sun in love
Warmth, openness and plain happiness side by side. The bond feels easy and full of light. Enjoy it without fear.
The Sun in work
Success, recognition and clear progress. The effort shows. Share the credit and enjoy the result.
As advice
Do something today purely because it makes you glad, and do it where others can see and share it.
The Sun: yes or no
Yes
The Sun is one of the clearest yes cards; conditions are bright and open.
A question to keep
What would you do today if you let yourself feel simple joy?