Three of Wands

Element: Fire

The design of the Three of Wands is inspired by the historic voyages of Zheng He to the Western Seas during the Ming Dynasty under Emperor Yongle and Xuande. These expeditions began in 1405 and ended in 1433, comprising a total of seven journeys. Led by Zheng He, the fleet sailed westward beyond Borneo, thus the term "Western Seas." While the Ming court continued the grand diplomatic scale of the Yuan dynasty, its diplomatic philosophy shifted. The founding emperor of Ming emphasized proactive foreign relations with a “non-aggression” policy, listing fifteen nations in the Ancestral Instructions of the Imperial Ming as “non-conquest countries,” thereby aiming to establish a hierarchical but harmonious world order with China at the center. This vision aligns with the meaning of the original Rider–Waite Three of Wands: having gained some success, one now looks outward to expand further. It also serves as a precursor to the next card, the Four of Wands, which symbolizes stability and order—goals the Three of Wands actively pursues.

Keywords: Implementation, growth, exploration, weighing options, expansion, journey

Relationships:
1. A sweet and blossoming romance prospects
2. Success in a long-distance relationship
3. New or ambiguous romantic

Career & Study:
1. Career achievements
2. Profitable business or deals
3. A promising future ahead

Finance:
1. Financial accumulation
2. Profiting through collaboration

Mental & Spiritual Health:
Exploring the unknown, planning the future

Keywords: Lack of cooperation, blocked progress, disruption, retreat, failure

Relationships:
1. Romantic progress is blocked
2. No suitable partner
3. Love triangle

Career & Study:
1. Disharmonious collaboration
2. Stagnation, development hindered
3. Failure / delay

Finance:
1. Decrease in wealth
2. Investment failure

Mental & Spiritual Health:
Retreat, loss of motivation