Revelations Tarot - mirrored illustrations for upright and reversed
Reversed cards are a blind spot for many tarot readers. You turn the card, do not recognise the image immediately, and have to reach for a book or your memory. Zach Wong solves this with a visual system: each card contains two mirrored images, above and below a central axis.
The deck has 78 cards, each with an illustration in a style that resembles stained glass. The colours are bold and high in contrast. The central figures mirror each other, with the top half showing the upright meaning and the bottom half the reversed.
What you see on the cards
The imagery is symmetrical but not identical. The top half and the bottom half often show the same figure in a different posture or with different attributes. This lets you see at a glance what shifts when the card turns.
The lines are thick and outlined in black, just as you see in stained glass. The colours are saturated: red, blue, yellow, green, often with metallic accents. The compositions are compact and symmetrical, which makes the cards suitable for quick recognition during a reading.
The guidebook describes both the upright and reversed meanings for each card. It is concise and focuses on symbolism and interpretation.
How this design works in practice
The mirrored design forces you to look at both sides of a card, even when you draw it upright. That makes the reading more nuanced. You see the tension between both meanings directly in the image, not only after you have turned the card.
For people who are just starting with reversed cards, this is a useful tool. The image supports the meaning, so you have less to memorise. For experienced readers it offers an extra layer: the axis between both halves becomes a symbol in itself, a point of transition or choice.
When looking at a mirrored card, start with the central axis. That is the hinge between both meanings and often the core of what the card tells you.
About Zach Wong
Zach Wong is an artist and designer. With Revelations Tarot he wanted to offer a visual solution to a practical problem: how do you make reversed cards as accessible as upright ones. His background in graphic design shows in the clear compositions and the technical precision of the mirrored symmetry.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Material: Sturdy cardstock with glossy finish
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9780738706078
- Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
- Artist: Zach Wong
Questions we often get
Do you have to use the cards reversed, or can you read the deck upright only?
You can ignore both sides and work upright only, but then you miss what the deck was designed for. The strength lies in seeing both meanings at once.
Is the glossy finish not difficult when shuffling?
The cards are smooth, but not so much that they slip out of your hands. The cardstock is sturdy enough to keep grip. After a few uses most people get used to it.
