The card depicts a completely defenseless crucified man, held by the ankh, egyptian symbol of life-force. Everything is taken away from him, all he can do is surrender and trust guidance from within. He has got stuck in his old way of living or thinking, (the squares in the background, the nails), and since he is hanging upside-down he has to develop new points of view (his redemption).
Meaning: surrender, breaking old patterns, redemption through sacrifice, enforced sacrifice, suffering, a crisis.
Reverse: loss, punishment, unwillingness to make the necessary effort or change, failure to give one’s self.
