Comparative study- IV The Emperor

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Belladonna	10 Dec 2003
The English Tarot shows the Emperor dressed in royal blue robes and a scarlet cape, crowned in gold and holding up a large sceptor topped with a cross. He has a thick dark brown beard and hair, no grey yet. It is interesting to me to note that he is seated not with both feet planted firmly on the ground, but with one leg crossed, his foot resting across the knee of his other leg. In fact, he is clasping the heel of his foot lightly in his hand. Can this indicate flexibility? Restlessness? A shield leans against his throne (wooden and quite plain) decorated with an eagle. The floor is black and white checkered and I'm sure there must be some significance to that. The strength of compromise? Or is it the inability to see things as other than black or white?

galadrial	10 Dec 2003
Perhaps my favorite Emperor card is from the Cosmic Tribe deck (by Stevee Postman), and his legs are crossed in that fashion. The Cosmic Tribe Book, by Eric Ganther, has this to say: "The lines of his arms and torso form a triangle that rests on a cross made by his lower body. This is the alchemical sign for sulfur, which the medievals believed to be the fiery aspect of the active male force in nature. His limbs and torso draw the number four, the numerological representative of stability, which also reflects the order of his card in the Tarot." doc strange discusses the black and white checkered floor of the Tarot of the Spirit Hierophant card at: www.docstrange.com/Tarot/TOS_Hierophant.asp And here is an interesting bit from a Freemasonry site, describing the symbolic significance of the checkered floor in their lodges: "Vibration, polarity and rhythm are three concepts that are closely related. In our lodge, the white and black squares of the checkerboard floor represent them. The polarity of the universe is expressed in the innumerable antinomies offered by the sensible world: light and darkness, heat and cold, sound and silence, high and low. However, if we examine them closely, we realize that they are actually one single quality that moved between two extremes. Nobody knows when cold becomes hot, or when love turn into hate. Where is the dividing line between small and large? Practically all the qualities can be ordered in this way, as couples of properties that are apparently contrary, expressing different graduations of the same quality. In many of his graphic works, the Dutch painter Escher offers a representation of this principle, night gradually turning into day, fish turning into birds. In the initiation ceremony in the Scottish Rite, the candidate is given a sweet drink that a moment later turns bitter. This is the Masonic representation of this principle, the same as the checkered floor." So perhaps the checkered floor of the Emperor could be a reminder to keep and eye on the Empress, as the Cosmic Tribe Emperor is doing (according to the book), as linear plans, clear outlines and boundaries must always contend with cycles and permutations. Perhaps the Empress and Emperor are themselves "one single quality moved between two extremes" and work at their best when they remain aware of their counterpart. Edited to spell Stevee's name correctly.

Belladonna	10 Dec 2003
Very interesting! You know, I flipped through the rest of the deck this morning and noted (if I now remember correctly) that the other cards depicted with a black and white checkered floor were the Empress, the Heirophant, Strength, the Devil, the King and Queen of Pentacles and I think, the 9 of Pentacles... I better double check that though. I suppose this is fodder for another thread though!

Mimers	13 Dec 2003
The King and I I love this Emperor card and if you are a big Yule Brenner (Sp?) fan or just enjoyed the movie, The King and I, when you were growing up, this card will resonate well with you. In the center of the card stands Yule Brenner as he was depicted in his role. The character in this movie took his role as King very seriously. He was very concerned about his kingdom at the expense of his own happiness as well. As King, he came second and his kingdom came first, even before his children. The king on this card stands with his hands on his hips and a stern look on his face. His kingdom is pictured behind him. It seems to say, "If you mess with my Kingdom, you mess with me!" There are two chinese dragons on the card on either side of the King. Also, on the bottom of the card are two women. One is facing us and the other has her eyes closed with a crystal covering her 3rd eye chakra. To me this means that the King relies on his gut to make decisions concering his relm. Mimi almost forgot... here is a link where you can see all the cards in this deck. http://www.tarotpassages.com/pgtar1.htm

Mimers	23 Dec 2003
The King sits on this throne with his septre in his right hand and a sphere in his left. The Septre reminds me of wands the suit of fire. The Emperor is a Sun, or fire card, to me meaning action and inspiration, thinking clearly. The sphere reminds me of the world. That is what he is he to serve, his kingdom. He wears a pink robe which to me represents love. Underneath his garments are blue which stands for protection. His head is adorned with a large golden crown. What is most interesting about this Emperor is the backround scene. It shows another side that we don't usually see of the Emperor. To me this King looks very sensual. He seems to be more of a Roman Ceasar. On the pillar from which he takes a piece of fruit, is a naked and maybe even pregnant woman. This shows the Emperor's relationship to the Empress and how important that balance is. The Emperor takes of the fertile fruit of the Empress and creates order and structure. I love the way this card shows that relationship between these 2 cards. It is a very important one. Mimi

jmd	23 Dec 2003
As in standard Marseille patterns, the Conver Emperor sits on his throne, legs crossed, facing the left-hand border of the card (the included link is to an image of the card). (More comments can also be found in the thread: Marseilles decks -- IV L'Empereur). Placing the cards in sequence from left to right, he has his back to the Pope, and looks towards the Empress - though of course, this is reversed if one places the series from right to left. Sitting on the ground is his shield, upon which is depicted the Eagle or Falcon - reminiscent, to meditation, of the Egyptian god Horus. In his right hand he holds his wand or staff of rule, of power, surmounted by a globe: his rulership is over the whole world, though under the dominion of its surmounting Cross. As a sigil, it is also reminiscent of both Mars (in some forms, it is the upright/reversed version of Venus) and Earth. His left hand is at his belt. Around his neck is a collar on which is suspended a circular medallion of some kind, the collar itself resembling wheat sheath - similarly depicted to XIII's backbone. He is wearing a crowned-helmet, and his beard, which shows him to be in his prime (...errr... late-ish middle-age is prime, isn't it ;)), with his cheeks bared/shaved.

Thirteen	24 Dec 2003
The "4" sign of sulfer (triangle atop a cross) is remarkably common in the majors of most tarot decks. It indicates purification and is ONLY evidenced correctly by the HANGED MAN--where crossed leg forms the Triangle part and the cross part is below (the Hanged Man's open arms). The triangle above the cross is also similar to the ankh (circle above cross)--symbol of eternal life. In the Universe and the version of the Emperor you describe, the sign is reversed. The cross part (body and arms) is above the triangle which is formed below by the crossed leg. This "cross above the triangle" (instead of vice versa) is the symbol of certain Hermetic orders like The Golden Dawn.

kwaw	06 Jan 2004
In the English school of the Western Hermetic Tradition the 'Emperor' is most commonly attributed to the Hebrew letter Hei (GD) associated with the sign of Aries or Tzaddi (Crowley) which is associated with the sign Aquarius. From an astrological point of view the attribution of Hei/Aries seems more appropriate to me. It is possible to take some Aquarian 'characteristics', such as 'emotional detachment' and 'desirous of power' for example, that may conceivably be associated with the attributes of the 'Emperor'. However, it is possible to select suitable characteristics from any of the Sun signs in this manner, which makes such an approach meaningless. Also most of the commonly known Sun sign characteristics are a modern development. If astrological considerations did play any role in the original design of the cards it certainly wasn't based upon sun sign characteristics. The word Emperor is from the latin 'imparere' meaning 'to command'. An Emperor is obviously more than a king, for an Emperor has command over several dominions, each of which may have its own king. The astrological significator for a King is the Sun, and its associated sign Leo. An Emperor is more exalted than a King however, and the Sun is exalted in Aries. A suitable sign therefore for an exalted King, a King of Kings, an Emperor. In Aquarius however the Sun is in its fall; and thus is probably the least suitable of any of the signs to be considered as an astrological attribute of the Emperor. Kwaw

horoskope88	06 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Mimers The King and I I love this Emperor card and if you are a big Yule Brenner (Sp?) fan or just enjoyed the movie, The King and I, when you were growing up, this card will resonate well with you. There are two chinese dragons on the card on either side of the King. Also, on the bottom of the card are two women. One is facing us and the other has her eyes closed with a crystal covering her 3rd eye chakra. To me this means that the King relies on his gut to make decisions concering his relm. Mimi almost forgot... here is a link where you can see all the cards in this deck. http://www.tarotpassages.com/pgtar1.htm This may be a bit off topic, but I'd jsut like to saythose two red faces on either side are not "chinese dragons." Those images are the faces of a tall statue of yaksha (from the Sanskrit rakshasa), a demon/ogre/giant of Hindu lore. That statue (and a few more like it) can be found "guarding" the grounds of the magnificent Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, Thailand (one of my favorite places on earth), a view of which you can see in the background of the card. The headress the woman in the lower right hand corner is a traditonal headpiece for Thai classical dance drama. Being Thai myself, I LOVE this rendition of the Emperor!!

Mimers	06 Jan 2004
Thank you horoskope! I would not have known this if you hadn't shared that with us. About the woman's headress. What does the dance she does represent? Thanks, Mimi

horoskope88	06 Jan 2004
Mimers, That is traditional Thai dress for Thai classical dance (which originated in the royal courts of old Siam...blending Indian and Khmer influences). There's no dance in particular in which that headress is worn. It is called "chada." In ancient times, Thai royalty also wore such crowns.

Mimers	18 Jan 2004
The Emperor, Stability This Emporer neals on the earth near a stream. The path of the stream is guided. There is a globe along side him. This is his responsibility. The globe is small compared to the Emperor, which shows his control over it. Over the Emperor's throat is a broach which looks like the sun. This would stand for clear and concise communication skills. The Emperor is clearly marked by the sign of Tauras. There is a bull on top of a tower which is behind the Emporer. On the ground near the stream we see a snail. This along with the bull, represent slow and steady progress. Behind a stone wall is a field of maze or corn. Corn being a main staple of life. The stone wall shows that it is protected and there is some semblence of order. I also think of when we (humans) went from hunters and gatherers to agriculturist. When agriculture was established, we no longer had to live like nomads. Order was established as well as societies and cities. With this came the need for laws and order. It is this Emporer that brought that about. He is the foreman. He is the engineer. He plans and guides his people to create a better life for them. He is not unwilling to work hard himself, but is of better use directing.

Mimers	12 Mar 2004
The Tarot of Prague The Emporer sits on his throne with his sceptre in his right hand and a sphere in his left. He wears a pink robe with blue underneith. He wears a large crown. What I love about this particular Emporer is the backround scene. It shows another side of the Emporer that we don't usually see. The Emporer in the backround looks very sensual. He seems to be more of a Roman Ceasar. On the pillar from which he takes a piece of fruit, is a naked and maybe even pregnant woman. This shows the Emporer's relationship to the Empress and how important that balance is. The Emporer takes of the fertile fruit of the Empress and creates order and structure with her creativity. The Emporer in front is clearly a statue. So rigid, just as an Emporer is needed to be. His pink robe shows he rules with love, and the blue underneith shows his duty to protect. He rules the empire that he holds in his hand. He can not show to his kingdom the sensual part of himself that lurks in the backround. The one that depends on the Empress for nuturing and creative ideas to make his kingdom grow. His grey beard and hair show great wisdom and experiance in this world. Everything he does is well thought out. The huge crown on his head is pure gold. His thoughts are golden. This is my favorite Emporer card of all. I love the backround scene. I think it adds so much to the meaning of the card. Mimi

SongDeva	12 Mar 2004
Question: Why not scan the individual Emperor Cards? I'll see if I have any cool ones. It's not a card I'm usually drawn to.

The Comparative study- IV The Emperor thread was originally posted on 10 Dec 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.