He is the order and the head of the recognized hierarchy, which is the reflection of another and greater hierarchic order but it may so happen that the pontiff forgets the significance of this his symbolic state and acts as if he contained within his proper measures all that his sign signifies or his symbol seeks to shew forth. As such, he is the channel of grace belonging to the world of institution as distinct from that of Nature, and he is the leader of salvation for the human race at large. He is rather the summa totius theologiæ, when it has passed into the utmost rigidity of expression but he symbolizes also all things that are righteous and sacred on the manifest side. Grand Orient says truly that the Hierophant is the power of the keys, exoteric orthodox doctrine, and the outer side of the life which leads to the doctrine but he is certainly not the prince of occult doctrine, as another commentator has suggested. The proper meanings of this card have suffered woeful admixture from nearly all hands.
He is the ruling power of external religion, as the High Priestess is the prevailing genius of the esoteric, withdrawn power.
He has been usually called the Pope, which is a particular application of the more general office that he symbolizes. At his feet are the crossed keys, and two priestly ministers in albs kneel before him. It is noticeable in this connexion that the High Priestess makes no sign. In his left hand he holds a sceptre terminating in the triple cross, and with his right hand he gives the well-known ecclesiastical sign which is called that of esotericism, distinguishing between the manifest and concealed part of doctrine. He wears the triple crown and is seated between two pillars, but they are not those of the Temple which is guarded by the High Priestess.