XIII : Death

XIII Tarot Card

Although I don’t believe in Tarot, I have a hefty dose of respect to its symbolism, which didn’t change in centuries. It intrigues me, how many hidden meanings these cards contain. While studying the symbolism of Tarot cards, I decided to redraw one of them – the one which is most often misinterpreted. I talk about the XII card – Death. So I took the meaning of this card – the change, death of old and new beginning – and gave it a new symbolics chosen from my associations with its meaning.

Death is the Tarot card that many people fear, but it generally does not mean a physical end. It rather signifies spiritual transformation – a time of inevitable change and new beginnings. As in nature, death has its rhythm, is natural and always brings new life. Death means here giving up all that is rotten, superficial and concentrating on what is essential, fundamental and truly important. In another hand, Death reversed indicates resisting a change that is necessary to move forward. Nothing new can begin while holding on to old negative energy. Death suggests that while finding challenging to let some things go, but once they’re gone, new power can come to give a beginning of something brighter and fresh.

In my version of Death Tarot card decided to include moon phases, Ouroboros (snake eating his tail) and hourglass as a well-known symbol of time and a circle of changes. The blind skull (fear, death) have four hands from which two observe and see (understand and wait), third-hand reaches out (unstoppable) while the fourth invites (a change for better).

I drew the original artwork on A3 paper sheet with the use of Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens and black Faber Castell marker.

prints available

The original artwork (A3 format) and signed prints are available to buy in formats: A2 (420 x 594mm), A3 (297 x 420 mm), A4 (210 x 297 mm), postcard (148 x 105 mm).
For more information and to order, please send me a message.