Here we have the image of a man suspended upside-down by one foot from a living branch. His face is relaxed and radiant – it is as though he had a halo.
Hanging a person upside-down was an Italian means of executing traitors. In some decks, in fact, this card is called Il Traditore, The Traitor. It was an agonizing and shameful death.
The RWS version of the Hanged Man does not show any suffering. The subject appears calm. It is as though he has come to accept his fate and is at peace with it. Some see this as indicating the man could come down whenever he wished. I think not, though. It seems to me that he has simply been able to surrender to circumstances beyond his control, and has found peace – and maybe even joy.
The ideas behind the Hanged Man include surrender, putting things on hold; viewing a situation from a completely new point of view (turning it upside-down, so to speak); letting go. It might also hint at feeling stuck on some issue.
Some regard the Hanged Man as a Wounded Healer.
Reversed it may suggest indecision, stalling, procrastination, resistance to something.
Note that the Hanged Man’s legs seem to form the number ‘4’. A similar position shows in the World card; turn it upside-down, and the leg position is the same.
Keywords: Suspense. Turn it Over. Surrender. Reorientation.