The Devil Card In Art

The Devil Tarot Card in Art

The Devil Tarot card #15 from Le Tarot Noir a French Tarot Deck by Justine Ternel and Matthieu Hacker

The Devil might just be one of the most misunderstood Tarot cards of all time. This is understandable, of course – in Judeo-Christian belief, the devil represents evil and has his own story. But the Devil Tarot card only shares one thing with that story: transgression. 

The “devil” portrayed on classic Tarot cards like the Tarot de Marseilles and the Rider-Waite deck may look fearsome, but he actually has more in common with figures like the god Pan. He’s not about evil, but about breaking the conventional rules.

In the Tarot, the Devil is often referred to as The Light Bringer. One of his gifts to us is that he shows us our shadow side – that is, the parts of us that we choose to hide or repress, because we believe society will reject us as a result of them. 

The Devil – Le Tarot Noir

The Devil card refers to the rules that bind us -obligations, things chaining our hands. But it also and more strongly, is about those things below the surface, the transgressive or rebellious parts of our true nature, the parts that want to go against the law, the norms of behaviour or generally accepted codes of conduct.

Let’s look at some artwork to get us into the true mindset of the Devil card.

The goat-god Pan chasing a young shepherd - about 470BC

One piece that comes to mind is this Ancient Greek vase painting dating back to around 470 BC. Here, we see the god Pan as a man with a goat’s head. Typical depictions of Pan are the other way around, showing him as a satyr, with a man’s head (although often with horns) and torso, and goat legs. One thing that is fairly typical in ancient art, on the other hand, is that here, Pan is shown with a long, erect phallus. He’s running after the object of his desire, which in this case is a shepherd boy.

Pan is a figure of unbridled lust, which is sometimes satisfied, and sometimes not. Depending on the myth being depicted, there might be some laughter to the situation, but there’s never any shame or condemnation. Pan lives his lusty life and satisfies his urges, whether for a boy, a woman…or even something else.

When you look at art featuring Pan, you’re bound to come upon an Ancient Roman statue that depicts him – this time in satyr form- having sexual relations with a goat!  It’s not a violent scene, and you could argue that, with his lower bits being those of a goat, why not? Whatever the case, the sculpture definitely leaves quite an impression….  

The God Pan

In a more recent depiction, Swiss artist James Pradier shocked polite society in the 1830’s with his sculpture of a satyr and a wild woman. Women who consorted with satyrs were definitely considered wild and they had their own special title, they were known as Bacchante. The Bacchante in this sculpture is lavishly and lasciviously on display, and many viewers probably share the satyr’s lusty gaze in looking at her. 

For me, this is all a part of what the Devil card is about. He is inviting us to open ourselves up to who we are, to free ourselves from the bonds and rules of the masses in order to be our true selves, perhaps a little more base than many of us try to convey, and definitely to move out of shame and self-judgement. 

It’s not just about sexuality either. Pan is also associated with drinking, partying, and generally having a good time. A statue by the one and only Michelangelo shows wine god Dionysus (or Bacchus, his Roman name) lifting a large cup. Behind him, a young Pan sinuously twists himself around to eat grapes from the god’s hand. 

Pan is also associated with music, as you may be thinking – we get the word “Pan pipes” from him. This reed instrument is said to be his invention and is what he traditionally played. Starting around the late 18th century and continuing today in some cases, artists who see themselves as talented but rebellious or misunderstood individuals often like to depict Pan with his pipes, expressing his unique spirit through music. 

You can find many statues in gardens around the world showing Pan playing his pipes. Sometimes he looks like a satyr, and sometimes he looks more like a classically handsome youth, a bit like Apollo. 

Artist Childe Hassam

One of my favorite depictions of Pan playing his pipes is this late 19th or early 20th century sketch by artist Childe Hassam. We find a calm Pan here, sitting alone in a landscape, almost lost in it. It reminds me that we even if no one is around to hear, it is so freeing to “play our own tune”.  There is a settling into the self that occurs when we do this.

Maybe some of these artworks speak to you. Perhaps the concepts might shock you, and if so, why are they problematic to you? Consideration and self-awareness are the name of the game are they not? 

 I’ll leave you with a few reflections on the Devil Tarot card in the form of a 3 card Tarot Spread…

A Devil Tarot Spread

1. In what area of my life am I feeling stuck, bound or repressed?

2. Do I allow myself to acknowledge the less than perfect parts of myself?

3. What is it that I lust after?

3 Card Tarot Spread

“The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real. This act is the essential condition for any kind of self-knowledge.” – Carl Jung