Judgment
The six-winged angel depicted here is a seraph, the highest rank of angels who serve directly beside the divine. The specific figure shown is Gabriel, the archangel. In heaven, Gabriel holds a critical position of guardianship and serves as the herald. According to legend, he blows the trumpet during the Last Judgment, signaling the resurrection of the dead. Gabriel is said to rescue souls, judge evil, and retrieve fallen angels—he is regarded as a symbol of wisdom.
The cross-shaped tombstone echoes the coffins in the classic Waite image, while the hands emerging from it—representing both adults and children—symbolize that no one escapes judgment, regardless of age or identity. The three pairs of hands and three mountain peaks represent the Holy Trinity, reinforcing the notion that while the individuals may differ, all are equal before judgment.
The heart, hand, and tombstone together form the symbol for Pluto, the celestial body associated with this card. The concept of weighing the heart as a measure of the soul’s worth is inspired by Anubis, the ancient Egyptian god who judged the dead.