person this card represents is one who helps to prepare the subject for their life journey. It can also symbolize the point at which a child begins to become an individual separate from their family and social surroundings or, if the seeker is an adult, it refers to the point at which the subject begins to construct their own identity.
Some Tarot experts say that the Hierophant represents assistance, friendship and good advice, as well as religious interests. Inverted, it can indicate that the subject has received bad advice, or is being plagued by lies and persecution. Others, however, believe that it represents the opening of a person figurative eyes, the dawning of understanding as it tells the subject that they need to look closely at their understanding of the things around them and to be careful of hypocrisy and deception.
In many Tarot designs, the Hierophant is often shown with his eyes closed, his face raised to the light from the sun. This indicates that he is looking within, while basking in celestial light. He holds a staff with three interlocking circles at the top. Three is a number of power, here representing past, present and future, or the element air, water and fire, or perhaps the Goddess passage of maiden, mother and crone. It could also represent the Holy Trinity, or the ideals of knowledge, science and wisdom.
I have also read that it can represent the three dynamic elements of air, water and fire. The three forces pivot around the centre of the image, which is also its spiritual centre, their movement given origin to Earth (matter). The symbol can also represent the principle of Trinity – spirit, soul and body) and can also represent Knowledge, Science and Wisdom.