Why does the Death card symbolize change instead of something else?

Chloe91

I get that the Death card doesn’t literally mean someone’s dying. It’s more about endings — like quitting a job, breaking a habit, or closing a chapter in your life.

But what’s bugging me is: why use Death to show change? Is it some biblical thing like the Wheel of Fortune has? Or is it just because death naturally means an ending? If that’s the case, why not use something less harsh, like a sunset or sunrise? Does Death stand for more than just change?

I’ve tried Googling it but all I find is what the card means, not why they chose Death to represent it. Anyone got ideas?

EmmaCollins

Hey! Yeah, the Death card can be pretty confusing at first. You’re right — it’s not about actual death, more about endings and new beginnings. I think they picked Death because it’s such a powerful symbol of change that you can’t really ignore. It kind of forces you to pay attention, you know?

As for why not a sunset or sunrise, those feel softer and less dramatic. Death grabs you by the collar and says, “Something’s gotta end for something new to start.” Plus, it’s got some deep roots in symbolism and storytelling that make it stick in people’s minds.

Hope that helps clear it up a bit! It’s one of those cards that grows on you the more you work with it.

Ashley88

Oh, the Death card — definitely not your “grab a cocktail and chill” kind of card. I think it got picked because, well, nothing screams “time for a plot twist” like the Grim Reaper himself showing up at your tarot party. A sunset or sunrise? Too polite. Death barges in wearing a black cloak, snapping his fingers, and saying, “Alright, that old thing? It’s done. Next!”

Plus, let’s be real: who remembers a card with a nice, calm sunrise? But Death? That guy sticks with you — like that one friend who always shows up uninvited but somehow makes things interesting. So yeah, it’s less about doom and gloom and more about shaking things up with flair.

IsabellaT91

Ohhh I’ve totally spiraled on this exact question before 😂 Like, why Death and not something a little less metal?

But I think that’s kinda the whole point — Death isn’t just about change, it’s about finality. It’s the moment where something ends and there's no going back. A sunset feels temporary, like “we’ll try again tomorrow.” Death says, “Nope, this version of you is done.” It forces you to confront the fact that something has to fully leave in order for the new thing to actually take root.

Also, from a storytelling and archetype angle, Death is super symbolic. Across cultures, death marks transformation — think Persephone, the phoenix, or even winter turning into spring. So it’s not random — it’s heavy on purpose. And yeah, it kind of grabs your attention in a way a gentle sunrise never could.

That said, I still lowkey flinch when I pull it in a daily draw 😅 but it’s definitely grown on me the more I work with it.

Anyone else feel like Death started out as “yikes” but turned into a weird comfort card over time?