The Quest Hanged Man - Question??

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Majecot	07 Nov 2003
Has anyone else noticed that the Hanged Man in this deck appears to have two faces? One upside down, and one right side up. I did not notice this at first and when my friend pointed out that his face was rightside up I told her she was nuts :) . Then on closer examination, I see that he has two distinct faces. When I look at the card in the reverse postion, his face appears (to me) youthful and almost feminine. But when I look at him in the upright position his face appears much older and I cannot quite pin point the expression on his face, perhaps almost angry? I can't tell if this was by design or not, and I double checked in the book, but Joseph Martin makes no reference to this. I think the card is quite beautiful and I love the crystal imagery but I am a little baffled by the dual faces. Any thoughts?

Star Spirit	07 Nov 2003
Perhaps it was just a coincidence...but, you say he looks youthful (and I think, when I look at it, happy) upside down. Maybe that's because right side up, he is upside down, but flip the card over, and he's right side up; in other words, he has learned his lesson: to see things in a different light, and therefore free himself and land on his feet. Maybe this is why he looks happiest, most youthful, when the card is reversed: because he gets a second chance at life. Just a stab in the dark though. That doesn't necessarily reflect the meaning of the card reversed, but maybe it's just the artwork speaking a message of the overall meaning of the card.

Scorpion	09 Nov 2003
Majecot I'd noticed this but didn't know what to make of it but you (Dead Star) have given a very valid take on this. I have noticed something similar on the Son of Stones - I see his whole chest as a second face - all I can think of is that with all that green pouring out of him it's as though his heart centre's "come alive". Any other thoughts on this?

Majecot	09 Nov 2003
Dead Star -- I do think his "upsidedown" face is serene and "happy" as if content with his position and has complete faith that he will not fall. Perhaps the elder face is a representation of the longevity situation? My friend his face to be somewhat angry (spooky to her) I don't feel angry is quite right however, for his expression, but I cannot put my finger on it. The long hair, in this perspective, I see as his beard reaching the earth. Maybe the word I am looking for is resignation? LouiQ- This is a card the I have not examined fully as my deck is still quite new. But I think perhaps the green rays represent commerce, and wealth, and a sharing of his knowledge of material things from his soul, (the face we see in his torso). I did not realize this deck would have so many hidden inuendos when I bought it. I just thought it was incredibly beautiful. I do not use the other features on the cards because I don't know much about them. I am still too busy "discovering" the imagery.

The The Quest Hanged Man - Question?? thread was originally posted on 07 Nov 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.