The Emperor
The Emperor represents traditional masculinity, power, stability, and social structure. His imagery includes the ram's head symbolizing Aries and war, a victor's wreath for victory and peace, a resting sword indicating controlled use of force, and a scroll signifying law and knowledge. The card suggests that with intelligent and steady leadership, there can be growth and prosperity.
Keywords
Roman Inspiration
My Emperor is obviously inspired by the Romans. I was thinking of Hadrian when I settled on this design. I kept a lot of the traditional symbolism of the Smith-Waite Emperor. He embodies conventional binary masculinity, though he is by no means limited by it. The imagery of Aries and war is present in the ram's head on his breast-plate, and the pedestal he stands upon symbolizes his elevated station. He wears a victor's wreath.
Social Law and Structure
A lot of the imagery of the Emperor I have seen is severe to the point of barrenness. He embodies social law and structure, power, stability and force. However, I feel that all those aspects can be tempered in the Emperor with intelligence and restraint, and I wanted to include indications of this in my portrayal of him to add more nuance to his meaning in readings. Yes, he is armed with a sword, but its blade is pointing down at rest. He can use force, but he can also judge when it is necessary to do so. The laurel wreath he wears can symbolize both victory and subsequent peace and security.
Symbols of Peace and Knowledge
In his left hand he carries a scroll—another symbol of peace, law and knowledge, and a written testament of the Emperor’s power. As in many similar depictions, he rises above jagged mountains. But the rocks are not entirely barren. The distant trees symbolize the potential for growth and prosperity that comes from intelligent, compassionate and steady governing. The color choice harkens back to the Empress, but where hers is softer in hue, the Emperor’s red is bolder and more solid.
Fyodor Pavlov tarot
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