The Devil
Bondage, Desire
Quick answer
The core meaning of The Devil is The temptations of the material world. Upright, it usually points to Bondage, materialism, desire, addiction. Symbolizes being controlled by material; reversed, it may suggest Breaking free, awakening, releasing dependency, facing the shadow. May indicate .
Card imagery
A massive devil (Baphomet) squats upon a black cube, an inverted pentagram above his head. Below, a man and a woman are loosely chained (chains they could seemingly slip off themselves), having grown horns and tails.
Upright meaning
Bondage, materialism, desire, addiction. Symbolizes being controlled by material cravings or fear, and realizing that such bondage often stems from one's own attachments.
Reversed meaning
Breaking free, awakening, releasing dependency, facing the shadow. May indicate beginning to see the root of the problem and working to escape an unhealthy relationship or habit.