Major Arcana card XV, The Devil, represents material attachment, temptation, and bondage. Hearing the name "The Devil," you might picture something very negative. But this card isn't just a warning about wrongdoing — it holds up a mirror to the essential nature of human desire and attachment. Upright, it points to strong willpower and the potential for material success; reversed, it shows a path toward liberation from bondage and freedom. If you've drawn this card, you may be at a point in life where you need to reconsider the balance between desire and freedom.

By truly understanding The Devil card, you'll gain deep insight into your real desires and what freedom means to you.

✦Card Basic Info

✦About the Devil Card

The special meaning of "15"

The number 15 assigned to The Devil carries a deep meaning. It can be split into "1" and "5" — 1 represents new beginnings, while 5 represents change and freedom, and together they point to trials and constraints in the material world. Also, 1+5=6, connecting it closely to card VI, The Lovers. Through this link we can read a relationship between love and desire, choice and attachment. The card before The Devil, XIV Temperance, represents harmony and balance — meaning The Devil shows what happens when that balanced state meets material temptation. The card that follows, XVI The Tower, represents sudden change and liberation, showing the forced release that eventually follows attachment and bondage.

The imagery on the card

The Devil card depicts an imposing devil figure with two human figures under its dominion. This devil isn't simply an embodiment of evil — it symbolizes power as ruler of the material world, and beneath it are two people bound in chains. These two represent a state of being bound by some desire or attachment, symbolizing the many forms of attachment we humans carry.

Let's look at the symbolic elements depicted on the card.

The devil figure symbolizes power as ruler of the material world and instinctual desire. Its imposing form with outstretched wings represents a fall from a higher realm, suggesting a tilt toward materialism.

The inverted pentagram on the devil's forehead symbolizes attachment to the material world and a lack of spirituality. It functions as a symbol of desire that has strayed from its true purpose, visually representing how humans fall into temptation.

The chained figures symbolize people who have lost their freedom to their own desires. Interestingly, if they truly wished for freedom they could remove the chains themselves — but attachment and fear keep them frozen in place.

The torch and flame symbolize the light of temptation, representing the force that draws people toward it. This light appears alluring at first glance, which is exactly why so many people are drawn to it.

The pedestal symbolizes the foundation of the material world, showing that the devil is the absolute ruler within it.

The meaning of the colors used

The Devil card makes heavy use of black and red, colors with layered meaning. Black symbolizes deep darkness and bondage, while red represents passion, desire, and life force. Together, these two colors show that even while caught in material attachment, a powerful life force still resides within. The gray background represents the weight of the real world and the trials of material existence. The orange torch is a warm color representing the light of temptation — a symbol of passion and desire. The brown pedestal evokes earthly materiality, symbolizing our connection to the physical world.

The kind of person The Devil represents

The person represented by The Devil card is someone with charm and the power to draw people in — but hidden underneath is a controlling or dependent streak. It can symbolize a charismatic leader, a captivating romantic interest, or someone attached to material success.

This person may seem exciting and fun on the surface, but a controlling side can emerge the longer you know them. It's also possible that you yourself are dependent on something (workaholism, love addiction, shopping addiction, and so on). When The Devil represents a person, you need to carefully assess whether your relationship with them is a healthy one.

The Fool's journey through the Major Arcana

The 22 cards of the Major Arcana tell one continuous story. The Devil represents the phase of material temptation and attachment that the Fool encounters on the journey he began. Having gathered many experiences by this point, the Fool now faces a powerful temptation. Through this trial, we get the chance to question what our true desires are and what real freedom actually means. Without this experience, the destructive change of The Tower and the renewed hope of The Star that follow might never come to be. By experiencing a trial like The Devil in life's journey, we arrive at deeper self-understanding and spiritual maturity.

☀Upright Meaning

Overall meaning

When The Devil appears upright, it delivers a message with a lot of nuance. Material success, strong will, desire, and attachment — these are the core themes of the upright Devil. But at the same time, it also warns of the dangers that success can bring.

Right now you're channeling strong energy toward a material goal in your life. That might be success at work, financial abundance, or power and status. What The Devil is showing you is the "strong will and drive" needed to achieve that material success. But it's also asking you to examine how attached you've become to that success, and what effect it's having on your life as a whole.

The upright Devil acknowledges that you have strong ambition and the power to make things happen. After putting in a great deal of effort, you may already be seeing some results in your life. But if you become too attached to those results, you risk losing your own freedom in the process. Material success matters, but don't forget that it isn't everything in life.

Meaning for love

If you have a crush

If The Devil appears while you're pining for someone, it shows that your attachment and desire for that person are intensifying. You strongly want them and your wish to have them may be growing very powerful. This attachment may prove how deeply you love them — but it can also cloud your rational judgment.

For couples

If The Devil appears for a couple already in a relationship, it shows a conflict between passion and attachment within the relationship. The bond between you two may be running very deep, drawing you together both physically and emotionally. But if that attachment becomes too strong, it risks restricting your partner's freedom and individuality.

On reconciliation

If you're considering reconciling with a past partner, The Devil urges careful judgment. Your attachment to them may be strong, along with a powerful desire to "be together again." But you need to discern whether that attachment is truly love, or simply attachment to the past.

Meaning for work

Changing jobs / new challenges

When the upright Devil appears as a work card, it shows a strong desire for material success and the real possibility of achieving it. If you're considering changing jobs, starting your own business, or taking on a new project, this is a period where you have strong ambition and the ability to make things happen. Your desire for financial success or power is intensifying, and you have the drive to act on it.

Advice for your current workplace

If you're already settled at your current job and The Devil appears, it may be time to reflect on power dynamics and ambition in the workplace. Your desire for a promotion, a raise, or a higher position may be growing stronger. You likely have the drive to pursue it. But be aware that options involving stepping on others or using unfair means may present themselves.

Meaning for money

Investing / saving

If The Devil appears regarding your finances, it shows a strong desire for material wealth, and the potential to achieve it. You may feel a growing urge to start investing, launch a new business, or grow your savings. During this period, you hold strong intent to increase your money and are likely to act on it.

Shopping advice

Regarding shopping, The Devil points to temptation toward material attachment. You may crave luxury goods or the newest items, with a rising urge to buy impulsively. Such desires bring temporary satisfaction but may not lead to lasting fulfillment.

Meaning for relationships

New encounters

In relationships, The Devil appearing points to the possibility of an encounter rooted in material connection or a power dynamic. A new friend or acquaintance may enter your life, but you need to consider what influence that person will really have. Rather than judging based on surface charm or financial benefit alone, you need the discernment to see who they really are.

Existing relationships

For existing friendships or family relationships, The Devil suggests it's time to reflect on dynamics of control and being controlled. Ask yourself whether you're trying to control someone, or whether you're being controlled by someone. Reassess the balance of power in your relationships and work toward more equal, freer connections. Respecting both your own freedom and the other person's builds a healthier relationship.

Advice if you're feeling stuck

If The Devil appears upright while you're feeling torn, you may be struggling with whether to pursue material success. In that case, ask yourself what your real values are. Money, power, and status are important elements of life, but they aren't everything. Think deeply about what truly matters to you and what choices you need to make to pursue it. Choosing long-term happiness over short-term attachment is the most important thing during this period.

☾Reversed Meaning

Overall meaning

When The Devil appears reversed, its meaning shifts significantly. The reversed Devil points to liberation from bondage, releasing attachment, self-awareness, and recovery. The card that upright showed strong attachment and materialism now points toward freedom and release.

But it's important to note that reversed doesn't always mean "everything is turning around for the better." Rather, you may go through a painful process of recognizing your past attachments and letting them go. Releasing material success, or putting distance between yourself and something you've been attached to, may be painful in the short term. But it's also the first step toward true freedom.

The reversed Devil is urging you: "It's important to notice your past attachments, and have the courage to let them go."

Meaning for love

If you have a crush

If The Devil appears reversed while you're pining for someone, it shows that the time has come to let go of your attachment to them. You may gradually be able to shift your focus away from someone you've been fixated on. This process may be painful, but it's proof your heart is moving toward true freedom.

For couples

If the reversed card appears for a couple, it shows a period of liberation from mutual attachment. If your relationship had been one of controlling and being controlled, it may start gradually shifting. You may be transitioning into a healthier relationship built on mutual freedom and respect.

On reconciliation

If you're considering reconciliation, the reversed Devil shows the importance of releasing your attachment to the past. Your attachment to that person may be releasing, and it may be time to move toward a new life. Rather than returning to the past, this is a time when it's important to look toward new possibilities.

Meaning for work

Changing jobs / new challenges

If the reversed card appears at work, it shows a period of release from past ambition or attachment. You may be freeing yourself from an attachment to position, promotion, or financial success at work, and discovering new values. You may start putting distance between yourself and workplace competition or power dynamics, seeking out a way of working that suits you better.

Advice for your current workplace

In your current workplace, you may be released from a position or power you'd been attached to. That might mean missing a promotion or losing responsibility for a project. But an experience that seems like a setback in the short term may, in the long run, become a chance to reconsider what you truly value and your real purpose in life.

Meaning for money

Investing / saving

The reversed Devil in a financial context shows release from material attachment and wiser money management. If you had been overextending yourself with investments or fixated on material wealth, you may be released from that state. You might face some financial difficulty, but it will teach you what truly matters to you.

Shopping advice

For shopping, this points to a period of release from impulsive buying urges. Your desire for luxury goods or the newest items may fade, and you may start to see what you truly need. You may transition to more moderate spending habits and regain financial stability.

Meaning for relationships

New encounters

If the reversed card appears regarding new encounters, it shows real connection not based on material benefit. If you had been building relationships based on power or material gain, you may be released from that standard and start forming more meaningful human connections.

Existing relationships

In friendships or family relationships, a past dynamic of control and being controlled may be released, moving toward a more equal relationship. If you had been controlling someone, you may be freed from that pattern and move toward a relationship built on mutual respect.

Advice when the reversed card appears

When The Devil appears reversed, accept that you may be released from past attachments or controlling relationships. It may feel painful in the short term, but it's proof your life is heading toward true freedom. Rather than dwelling on what you've lost, use this time to consider what you'll newly gain, and what truly matters. By respecting both your own freedom and that of others, you can find deeper satisfaction and happiness.

✦The Person The Devil Represents

The person represented by The Devil is very charismatic, with a strong will. This card's figure is ambitious and skilled at pursuing material success. They're likely successful in business and may have already achieved financial abundance. But because they're strongly attached to that success, they tend to become controlling in relationships. They may carry a strong unconscious desire to "control" others, tending to restrict the freedom and individuality of people around them.

But the person represented by The Devil isn't necessarily a "bad person." They may in fact be someone who has recognized their own attachment or need for control and is working to overcome it — confronting the desires within themselves and trying to bring them under control. When dealing with a person like this, it's important to understand their attachment while still protecting your own freedom.

✧The Devil Paired with Other Cards

The Devil + The Magician

This combination shows achieving a material goal through strong will and execution. Your ambition and ability combine to create the potential for very significant results. But be careful that ethical problems don't arise along the way — power and responsibility always come as a set.

The Devil + The Lovers

This combination shows a romance rooted in strong attachment and temptation. There's a powerful desire for the other person, and that feeling is driving the romance. But respecting the other person's freedom is also necessary to keep the relationship going long-term.

The Devil + The Tower

This combination shows material attachment and a controlling relationship experiencing sudden collapse. What you've built up may fall apart, but it also brings an opportunity leading toward new freedom. Don't fear destruction — recognize it as a necessary change.

The Devil + The Star

This combination shows release from material temptation, moving toward true hope. By letting go of attachment, new possibilities and hope are born. It may be time to reconsider your true values.

The Devil + The World

This combination shows material success and fulfillment. Your ambition may come to fruition and you may gain material abundance. But don't forget that this success isn't everything.

♡The Other Person's Feelings When The Devil Appears

One of the most common questions in tarot readings is "What does this person really think of me?" Here's a detailed breakdown of what The Devil says about the other person's feelings, upright and reversed.

Upright: The Devil (their feelings)

When the upright Devil describes the other person's feelings, it means they're drawn to you through strong attachment and desire:

• Strongly physically drawn to you — feeling a sensual, instinctive attraction
• Attachment close to love — too strong a feeling of not wanting to let you go
• Seeking an intense relationship — an ordinary romance isn't enough
• A dependent dynamic — neither of you can pull away from the other

Passionate but dependent. You'll need to discern whether this is truly healthy love.

Reversed: The Devil (their feelings)

When the reversed Devil describes the other person's feelings, it means they're waking up from an unhealthy relationship and trying to escape it:

• Wanting to be freed from bondage — wanting to reclaim their freedom
• Wanting to cut off dependency — seeking a healthier relationship
• Cooling off desire — the instinctive attraction is fading
• Reconsidering the relationship — thinking about whether you're really right for them

A step toward a healthy relationship. Have the courage to cut off an unhealthy relationship.

⧗Timing Shown by The Devil

When reading tarot for "when will results appear?," Major Arcana XV, The Devil, suggests the following timing.

Upright timing

• When desire becomes uncontrollable — an impulsive moment
• Winter (December–January) — Capricorn season
• Saturday — the day of Saturn
• Nighttime — night dates and events

Reversed timing

• A period of liberation — breaking free of bondage
• Freedom within 1–3 months — a turning point arrives
• A moment of awakening — the instant your eyes open

✧Action Advice When The Devil Appears

When The Devil appears, what should you actually do? Here's a summary of concrete actions you can start tomorrow, upright and reversed.

5 things to do when the upright Devil appears

1. Recognize your desires — notice them without judgment
2. Channel passion into creativity — art or creative expression
3. Enjoy pleasure — within reasonable limits
4. Explore the root of your attachment — reflect on why you can't let go
5. Be honest about your instincts — don't suppress them too much

5 things to do when the reversed Devil appears

1. Break a bad habit — smoking, alcohol, overspending, etc.
2. Step away from a dependent relationship — create physical distance
3. Reclaim your freedom — let go of what's binding you
4. Face past trauma — counseling can help
5. Build a healthy routine — exercise, meditation, and so on

✦Keywords for The Devil Card

These are the essential keywords that capture the heart of The Devil. Use them as a reference during readings.

• Attachment
• Temptation
• Dependency
• Self-imposed bondage
• Desire

⚖The Devil YES/NO Reading

Here's whether the answer is YES or NO when you draw The Devil, upright and reversed.

♡The Other Person's Feelings When The Devil Appears

Here's how to read the other person's feelings when The Devil appears in a love reading, upright and reversed.

Upright: their feelings

They're holding strong possessiveness, physical attraction, and obsessive feelings.

Reversed: their feelings

They want to escape the bondage of the relationship and are seeking liberation.

✧Cards Often Drawn Alongside The Devil

These are cards that share a similar theme with The Devil, or often appear together with it in a spread.

• Temperance — full meaning and interpretation
• The Tower — full meaning and interpretation

✦Frequently Asked Questions About The Devil Card

✧The Devil Paired with Other Cards — 7 Common Combinations

The Devil reveals deeper, more specific messages when paired with other tarot cards. Here are 7 of the most common combinations.

The Devil × The Tower	Liberation from attachment, a sudden ending
The Devil × The Moon	Unhealthy temptation
The Devil × Death	The end of an attachment
The Devil × The Lovers	A tempting romance, possible affair
The Devil × Seven of Cups	Illusion, hollow desire
The Devil × Ten of Pentacles	Material attachment
The Devil × Three of Swords	Attachment rooted in emotional wounds

Reading card combinations is a key technique that greatly improves the accuracy of your readings. Once you're comfortable, try paying attention to neighboring cards in a three-card spread or Celtic Cross.

✦Summary

The tarot's Devil card is one of the most misunderstood cards out there. The name "Devil" leads many people to picture something entirely negative. But in reality, this card reflects the essence of being human and the challenges we all need to face in life. Material success and our attachment to it. The desire for freedom and the latent wish to be controlled. These opposing forces are always present within us.

If you drew The Devil upright, you hold strong will and the power to make things happen. Your ambition and drive will bring material success. But if you become too attached to that success, you may lose sight of what truly matters. Finding balance is the most important thing during this period. The upright Devil shows that while you hold great power, how you choose to use it is what really counts.

If you drew it reversed, you're moving toward liberation from attachment. You're gradually putting distance between yourself and controlling relationships or materialism, moving closer to true freedom. That process may be painful, but it's the process of returning to your true self. By releasing attachment, you gain greater freedom.

Either way, The Devil is urging you to look more deeply within yourself. It's a time to ask what you truly desire, what your real values are, and what freedom really means to you. Through that questioning, you can move toward a fuller life that's truer to who you are. In the end, The Devil is a card filled with love, guiding you back to yourself.