The Lovers

The Lovers (VI) is the sixth trump or Major Arcana card in most traditional Tarot decks. It is used in game playing as well as in divination.

Lovers

drawing by Robert M. Place

Interpretation

In some traditions, the Lovers represent relationships and choices. Its appearance in a spread indicates some decision about an existing relationship, a temptation of the heart, or a choice of potential partners. Often an aspect of the Querent's life will have to be sacrificed; a bachelor(ette)'s lifestyle may be sacrificed and a relationship gained (or vice versa), or one potential partner may be chosen while another is turned down. Whatever the choice, it should not be made lightly, as the ramifications will be lasting.

The Lovers is associated with the star sign Gemini, and indeed is also known as The Twins in some decks. Other associations are with Air, Mercury, and the Hebrew letter ז (Zayin).

In pop culture

• The Lovers is the name of a boss in The House of the Dead 4 videogame by Sega, where it is depicted as two giant tarantulas mating. All of the bosses in the House of the Dead series are named after the Major Arcana.
• The Lovers card, along with the other Tarot cards of the Major Arcana, appears in the 2011 video game, The Binding of Isaac, and its 2014 remake, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, where they act as consumable items with varying effects. The Lovers creates healing items for the player.
• It also appears on a video game, Persona 4 as an arcana card, where the character Rise Kujikawa is the player's Social Link to The Lovers arcana, displaying friendship.
• It also appears in Persona 3 as an arcana card, where the character Yukari Takeba is the player's Social Link to the Lovers arcana, displaying friendship.
• The Lovers card was chosen by Ethan Chandler in Season One, Episode One of Penny Dreadful (TV series).
• The Lovers is the name of the Stand used by the character Steely Dan in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders.
• The Lovers also appear in the book series the Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole

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