Usually we all develop and grow as part of some culture, and in every culture there are central dogmas that stand as the backbone of society. The Hierophant represents such official dogma and knowledge. The Hierophant is a public figure, in charge of the official interpretation of belief systems. Religions are where dogmas are at their strongest, so it is natural that this card, numbered five, depicts a religious figure in some sort of sanctuary. The card stands for religion and orthodox theology. The word hierophant literally means "the one who shows holy things". But besides churches, there are schools, clubs, teams, companies and whole societies. The Hierophant represents structured groups with rules and assigned roles. Such environments always emphasize some belief system: facts, rules, procedures and ritual. Members are rewarded for following conventions. They develop a group identity. There is a strong hue of tradition on this card, accentuating all things and customs that are old and tested by time. The challenge here is to try something new while still standing firmly on well-known ground. The Hierophant's mission is to be a leader of the community, a teacher and healer, a support in times of crisis. He is a wise figure and people trust him. The problem is that The Hierophant is like a bull, the astrological Taurus that he represents, so he can be stubborn when faced with new ideas. He is also not a fan of individuality. While focusing on the positive effects of this card, one should be wary of bigotry and intolerance towards everything different.
On the card
The Hierophant sits on a throne, a crown on his head. The crown has five points, representing the five senses. Its three levels represent the three levels of the mind: conscious, subconscious and superconscious. The grey background is a symbol of wisdom, because grey is a mixture of black and white and is the balance of the two forces. The balance of two forces is further depicted by the two pillars, one on each side. These are not the pillars from The High Priestess card; these pillars symbolize Law and Liberty. The card is numbered five, but we also keep noticing the number three, pointing to the Trinity. There are three persons on the card. The crown has three levels, there are three crosses on the robe, and the cross in his left hand has three bars. While The Fool, The Magician and The High Priestess complete one trinity, The Empress, The Emperor and The Hierophant complete another: that of body, mind and spirit. Two men wearing rather interesting robes kneel in front of The Hierophant. Both have roses on their clothes, white and red, an echo of The Magician card. The red flowers indicate passion, the white ones purity. Balancing both is the task The Hierophant teaches. His right hand is raised in a position known in esoteric circles as the sign of benediction. Two fingers point upwards and two downwards, showing us that The Hierophant declares himself the bridge between Heaven and Earth. We can also explain that position through the phrase "as above, so below". Perhaps the most prominent symbol of the card is the keys. We can connect them with the keys of St Peter, the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. So the keys can be seen as the sign of authority given from Heaven and by God himself.
Upright
The Hierophant indicates that tradition is not worn out yet: what has worked until now still works very well. He embodies a desire to study dogma and not just accept it, to search for knowledge and illumination. We can say that The Hierophant at his best represents the ideal of spiritual life. Through tradition and moral law he attains the divine. Balance conformity with exploring new horizons. Question everything. Strive for non-conformism. Maybe it is time to bring some new energy into a situation. Honour tradition, but expand your awareness. Open your mind to new possibilities.
Reversed
This card can bring meaningless rebellion; beware of a lying person. Find some new ways to lead your life.