Three of Wands Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes/No
What you set in motion is starting to pay off. Look further ahead; opportunities are widening.
| Arcana | Minor Arcana, suit of Wands |
|---|---|
| Element | Fire |
| Number | 3 |
| Astrology | Sun in Aries |
| Golden Dawn title | Lord of Established Strength |
| Yes or no | Yes |
| Upright | expansion, progress, opportunities ahead, foresight |
| Reversed | obstacles, delays, disappointment in progress |
Three of Wands symbolism
A figure stands on a cliff with his back to us, watching ships sail across a golden sea. Three wands are planted in the ground around him. His ventures are already underway and he waits to see them return.
The descriptions on this site refer to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (1909), illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and designed with Arthur Edward Waite, which is the reference for most modern tarot. Other decks may show different imagery with a similar meaning.
Upright meaning
- expansion
- progress
- opportunities ahead
- foresight
The Three of Wands shows expansion and progress. Plans are in motion and results are beginning to appear. It is a card of foresight, preparation paying off and new opportunities on the horizon.
It favours growth, travel, trade and looking at the bigger picture. Keep your eyes on the horizon.
Reversed meaning
- obstacles
- delays
- disappointment in progress
Reversed, it shows delays, obstacles or disappointment in progress. Plans may not be unfolding as quickly as you hoped.
Review your strategy and be patient. Some delays are temporary.
New to reversals? Our guide to reading reversed tarot cards explains the different ways readers interpret an upside-down card.
Three of Wands in love and relationships
Upright in love
In love, the card suggests a relationship growing and looking toward the future. It can indicate a long-distance relationship.
Reversed in love
Reversed in love, it can show frustration that the relationship is not moving forward.
Three of Wands as feelings
As feelings, it means someone sees potential in the connection and feels optimistic about where it is going.
Career and work
At work, the Three of Wands favours expansion, international business and leadership.
Money and finances
With money, it shows returns on past investments and growing opportunities.
Is Three of Wands a yes or no card?
Yes
The Three of Wands is a yes. Your efforts are about to pay off.
Want to ask your own question? Try our yes or no tarot, which uses the same yes, no and maybe values shown on this page.
Number, element and astrology
The Three of Wands belongs to the suit of Wands (also called Rods, Batons or Staves), the fire suit that deals with energy, passion, creativity, ambition and action. In tarot numerology, 3 is the number of growth, expression and first results. The Golden Dawn assigned this card to Sun in Aries and gave it the title Lord of Established Strength.
Three brings the first result of a union of forces, and in fire that result is expansion. The card sits under the Sun in Aries, when the sun is exalted, which explains its confident, outward-looking tone. The Golden Dawn titled it Established Strength: the venture is launched and now has its own momentum.
Advice from Three of Wands
Keep looking ahead. The ships you sent out are coming back.
Example reading
Illustrative example
A person who sent out several job applications a month ago draws the Three of Wands. The card suggests that responses are on their way and encourages them to keep watching the horizon, and to prepare for interviews.
This example is written by our editors to show how the card is read in context. It is not a real client's reading. See our tarot spreads for how positions change a card's meaning.
Related cards
Ask the cards about your situation
Draw three cards for your own question. Every card in your result links back to its meaning here.
Free tarot readingCard of the dayFrequently asked questions
What does Three of Wands mean in tarot?
Upright, Three of Wands means expansion, progress, opportunities ahead, foresight. The Three of Wands shows expansion and progress.
What does Three of Wands reversed mean?
Reversed, it shows delays, obstacles or disappointment in progress. Plans may not be unfolding as quickly as you hoped.
What does Three of Wands mean in love?
In love, the card suggests a relationship growing and looking toward the future. It can indicate a long-distance relationship. Reversed in love, it can show frustration that the relationship is not moving forward.
Is Three of Wands a yes or no card?
The Three of Wands is a yes. Your efforts are about to pay off.
Is the Three of Wands a good card?
Yes, it is generally positive, showing progress and opportunities coming your way.