Six of Wands (6 of Wands) tarot card from the 1909 deck by Pamela Colman Smith

Six of Wands tarot card meaning

A rider returns crowned with laurels as the crowd cheers, so it frequently signals success, recognition and earned confidence.

victory
recognition
public success
confidence
good news

Draw a card Ask yes or no

Arcana	Minor, suit of Wands
Number	6 of Wands
Element	Fire
Yes or no	Yes upright, maybe reversed

Written by Orbitarot · Sources: our own meanings; card art by Pamela Colman Smith, 1909; A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1910 · Updated October 7, 2026

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What the card shows

A young man wearing a laurel crown rides a white horse draped in a green cloth, holding a wand topped with a laurel wreath tied with a red ribbon. Five more wands rise behind him, held by people on foot who walk alongside. The wreath and the escort are usually read as public recognition, and the calm white horse as success carried with steady control.

Six of Wands upright

The Six of Wands is a victory card. After the scuffle of the Five, someone has come out ahead and is being welcomed home. This often points to good news you can share: a project that lands well, a goal reached, an exam passed or praise from people whose opinion matters to you. It is a card of being seen.

Confidence is part of the message. The rider sits tall and does not hide his wreath. If you have been playing small, this card encourages you to step forward and accept credit for your work. It also reminds you that success here is public and supported. The people walking beside the horse helped carry those wands, so share the moment generously. Recognition tends to grow when it is shared rather than hoarded. Enjoy the moment fully, then use the goodwill it brings to set up your next goal.

Six of Wands reversed

lack of recognition
self-doubt
fall from grace
ego
private success

Reversed, the Six of Wands suggests that the applause is missing. You may have done good work that nobody noticed, or someone else took the credit. That can sting and shake your confidence.

In other cases, the card warns about leaning too hard on outside approval or letting a win go to your head. Arrogance can turn a supportive crowd cold. Try to measure your progress by your own standards for a while. If recognition matters to you, ask for feedback directly rather than waiting for it to arrive. Quiet wins still count, even when nobody throws a parade.

Six of Wands in love

Upright: Single, you may feel attractive and confident, which draws attention your way. Together, the relationship may be something you are proud to show, with friends and family cheering you on.

Reversed, insecurity or a need for constant reassurance may be causing strain. It can also point to a partner more focused on image than on closeness.

Six of Wands for career and work

Upright: This is a strong card for promotions, awards, positive reviews or a successful launch. Make sure the right people know what you achieved.

Reversed, your efforts may be overlooked or a result may fall short of expectations. Keep a record of your wins and speak up about them calmly.

Six of Wands as feelings

This person admires you and is proud to be associated with you. They may see you as impressive, confident and someone worth showing off.

Six of Wands as advice

Own your success. Accept praise without shrinking, and thank the people who helped you get there.

Six of Wands in a tarot reading

The same card reads differently depending on where it lands. These are the readings our spreads use when Six of Wands appears in each position. Try it in a three card reading, Celtic cross.

Upright

As the past	A win or a moment of recognition sits at the root of this. Earlier success built your confidence and helped bring you to where you stand today.
As the present	You are in a moment of earned recognition. Good news, praise or a public win is lifting your confidence and showing others what you can do.
As the future or outcome	A victory parade may be forming. Your efforts tend to be noticed, and good news may arrive about something you worked hard on.
As the obstacle	Success itself can test you here. Leaning on applause, or resting on a past win, may keep you from making the next real effort.
As advice	Step forward and let your work be seen. Share your progress, accept praise graciously and thank the people who helped you get there.

Reversed

As the past	Behind you is effort that went unrecognized, or a win that faded fast. That disappointment may have shaken your confidence more than you admit.
As the present	The praise is quiet or going elsewhere right now. You may feel overlooked, or unsure whether your achievements really count.
As the future or outcome	Recognition may come more slowly or privately than you hoped. The value of your work tends to show over time, even without a parade.
As the obstacle	Self-doubt or ego stands in the way. Needing outside approval, or worrying about how you look, can pull your focus from the work itself.
As advice	Measure your progress by your own standards for now. Celebrate quietly, keep improving and let recognition follow instead of chasing it.

What A. E. Waite wrote about Six of Wands in 1910

Waite designed this deck with Pamela Colman Smith and published its meanings in The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910, public domain). His words, as printed:

Divinatory meaning:

The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the King's courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire, the crown of hope, and so forth.

Reversed:

Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty, as of gates being opened to the enemy; also indefinite delay.

Victory and recognition match closely, with Waite describing a victor and great news carried by the King's courier. His reversal is vivid, an enemy at the gate and treachery opening it, plus indefinite delay, darker than the modern sense of overlooked effort.

Is Six of Wands a yes or no card?

Upright: Yes The laurel wreath and cheering escort show victory and good news, so the answer is a clear yes.

Reversed: Maybe Reversed, success is still possible but may come quietly, late or without the recognition you hoped for, which brings it down to maybe.

Ask your own question with the yes or no tarot. No cards at hand? The yes or no oracle answers with a pendulum.

Learn more: how to read reversed cards, how to read this card with others, what the number 6 means across the suits.

Questions

What does Six of Wands mean in tarot?

A rider returns crowned with laurels as the crowd cheers, so it frequently signals success, recognition and earned confidence. Reversed, the parade is quiet or the praise goes elsewhere, which suggests overlooked effort, shaky confidence or pride that needs checking. Yes or no: Yes upright, maybe reversed.

What does Six of Wands reversed mean?

Reversed, the parade is quiet or the praise goes elsewhere, which suggests overlooked effort, shaky confidence or pride that needs checking.

Is Six of Wands a yes or no card?

Yes when upright. The laurel wreath and cheering escort show victory and good news, so the answer is a clear yes. When reversed, it leans maybe. Reversed, success is still possible but may come quietly, late or without the recognition you hoped for, which brings it down to maybe.

What does Six of Wands mean as feelings?

This person admires you and is proud to be associated with you. They may see you as impressive, confident and someone worth showing off.