Comparative Tarot

Description: A pair of humanoid giraffes stand in a moonlit grassy clearing, his arm around her shoulders. Each holds a pink flower which has been pulled up by the roots rather than cut. She wears a long red cape and a white blouse and breeches under a brown vest and apron/overskirt. He has red breeches and a green sleeveless vest. Both wear soft brown boots, and their clothing is somewhat tattered. Both face toward the right of the picture (into the future). Tree branches frame the upper corners, although the trunks are not visible.

My take on it: Sometimes the animal chosen for a particular card in this deck makes more sense to me than others, and unfortunately this is one of the ones that doesn't. Giraffes mate without consistent partners, going by opportunity rather than any emotional attachments. Bonds are temporary, and if there are conflicts over a ready female, the strongest male usually wins. Perhaps the artist saw a giraffe's four long legs and thought they would fit the Four of Wands. The clothing this pair wears is tattered and worn, especially hers, so it's worn for practicality rather than appearances. By pulling their flowers up by the roots, they are still alive and might be able to put down new roots somewhere else.

Tracy Hite