The Tarot card known as Lamoureux, often referred to as The Lovers, occupies the sixth position in the Major Arcana. Despite its popular plural designation, the card’s title in the Tarot de Marseille is singular, referring to "The Lover" (Lamoureux). This card is one of the Tarot's most obscure and least understood, representing a significant step into what is described as Paradise Square. It marks the transition from imagining what brings happiness to actively doing what one likes. The card is deeply associated with the initial contact with social life, the consolidation and separation of paths, and the making of social and emotional choices. It is a card of relationships, emotional life, and the complex interplay of choices that define our connections with others.
Historical Context and Evolution of the Card
The evolution of the Lamoureux card highlights a distinct shift from its Italian ancestors to the French Tarot de Paris and Tarot de Marseille styles. In the Italian tradition, the card typically depicted a courting couple. However, the Tarot de Paris version introduced significant deviations. It features a frisky mature couple, with Cupid goading the man along. The inclusion of a third person in the scene is a French innovation. In the Tarot de Marseille that emerged in the seventeenth century, the imagery changed radically. The courting couple was replaced by a young man standing between two women who pull him in opposite directions. One woman is young and lovely with flowers in her hair, while the other is older, homely, and wears a laurel wreath.
The title "LAMOVREVS" found in some decks is a misspelling of the standard Lamoureux or L’amoureux. The card depicts four characters with human forms: three people and one angel (Cupid). Additionally, the Earth and the Sun are present as entities. The central figure is often considered a young man, while the character on the left is sometimes viewed as being biased towards sexual orientation. The small angel, Cupid, holds a bow from above. The narrative ambiguity is high; viewers often wonder if the scene represents an argument, a bargain, a choice, or a gathering. The two characters on the left look at each other, while the one on the right looks at nowhere, adding to the enigma.
Symbolism and Imagery Analysis
The imagery of the Lamoureux card is rich with symbolic details that convey its meaning regarding unity, choice, and psychological work.
The Central Figures and Hand Positions
The central male figure is the target of Cupid’s arrow. His hand placement is a subject of interpretation. It can appear as a "common arm" where the man touches the woman's lower abdomen, close to the genitals, while his gaze turns away to his right. Alternatively, if viewed as the woman's own arm guarding or pointing toward her belly while the man puts his hands behind his back, the meaning shifts. This ambiguity reflects the card's complex nature regarding intention and connection.
The Two Women
The two female figures represent distinct energies. * The Younger Woman: She wears a headscarf and has four five-petaled flowers in her hair. These flowers may represent a high sense of consciousness that is poetic but steady. The bluish-purple core of the flowers symbolizes the intellectual focus of love and the true ability to sacrifice oneself. * The Older Woman: She wears a hat with leaves, described as very dynamic due to a red ribbon. If the leaves are bay leaves, she represents the power of a victor or a "high-hat" woman.
The Ground and Shoes
The ground at the feet of the central character is plowed. This indicates that to reach the state represented by the Lamoureux card, significant psychological, cultural, and spiritual work is required. This labor allows individuals to realize what they truly like and want. The central character wears red shoes, which resemble the shoes of the Fool and the Emperor. These three cards can be considered stages of one person. Notably, the ground between the central character and the woman on his right disappears, leaving only a red area, suggesting a unique connection or transition.
Cosmic and Divine Elements
The sun shining on the scene symbolizes a "huge Lover of the cosmic scale," representing the god of the origin of love in the cosmos. This directs us toward conscious and unconditional love. Eros (Cupid) acts as a messenger in the form of a child, reminding us that love forever renews itself. The colored patches (light blue and red) between the legs of the people represent continuity and unity. Furthermore, the number 6 relates to the Hebrew word "Vav," meaning "foundation," which also represents unity.
Interpretations and Relationship Dynamics
The Lamoureux card is vague and motivates individuals to question their emotional state. It prompts inquiries such as: How is our current emotional life? Are we feeling peace or conflict? Are we doing what we like? What position does love hold in our lives? The card may refer to questions regarding the position given in families and the work that determines predictions made about those around us. The Lover in the card is a character chosen by the reader to analyze his or her relationships.
The imagery suggests a variety of relationship scenarios. The central male figure might be taking his fiancée to meet his mother; a woman might have caught her husband with a mistress; a man might be trying to choose between two women (or between perversion and virtue, in traditional thinking); a pimp might be introducing his "goods" to a customer; a mother might be falling in love with her daughter’s lover; or a mother might favor one child over another. These countless explanations lead to the conclusion that Lamoureux represents relationships and the initial contact with social life.
In the Tarot de Paris rendition, the older female figure appears to be encouraging the decision of the two young ones to be together. However, in the Tarot de Marseille, the tension is more palpable. Author Rachel Pollack interprets the man as being torn between his wife and his mistress, facing an existential choice. The title itself, L'Amoureux, is linguistically interesting as it can be viewed as both singular (L'...) and plural (...eux), reflecting the duality of the card's nature.
The Lovers in Holistic Guidance
For spiritual seekers and individuals interested in holistic living, the Lamoureux card serves as a mirror for the heart and mind. It is not merely about romantic love but encompasses the love for life, the choices that define our path, and the unity of our inner centers. The card suggests that the mind, the emotional center, and the sexual center can merge into one, representing a state of integrated wholeness. However, achieving this state requires the "plowed ground"—the hard work of self-reflection and spiritual development.
When this card appears, it is an invitation to stop imagining happiness and to start acting on genuine desires. It challenges individuals to look at their relationships—familial, romantic, or social—and determine if they are rooted in truth or obligation. The presence of Cupid suggests that love is divinely guided, yet the human figures on the ground must navigate the choices presented to them.
Conclusion
The Lamoureux Tarot card, or The Lovers, is a profound symbol of choice, unity, and the complex nature of human relationships. Historically evolving from a simple courting couple to a complex triad with a divine observer, it holds a mirror to our emotional and social lives. The imagery of the plowed ground, the distinct energies of the two women, and the cosmic influence of the sun and Cupid all point to a journey that requires conscious effort. It asks us to question our emotional peace, our alignment with our desires, and the roles we play in our families and social circles. Ultimately, it represents the foundational unity of our inner centers and the joy of moving from imagination to action in the pursuit of love and happiness.