Main Male
Meaning
The Main Male is the masculine significator of the Kipper deck: he represents the querent if male, or the central man in the question being asked. This is not a prediction card in itself but rather a reference point around which the entire reading is organized. Everything appearing to his right indicates what is approaching, what lies to his left shows what is being left behind, what sits above reveals what occupies his thoughts, and what sits below points to what he ignores or represses.
Unlike the Good Gentleman (5), which describes a specific man with positive qualities, the Main Male is neutral — he carries no positive or negative charge on his own. His nature is defined entirely by the surrounding cards. If the Pleasant Message (7) is nearby, he will receive good news. If the False Person (8) sits beside him, someone in his environment is deceiving him.
In Kipper's directional reading method, the Main Male's orientation is crucial. In traditional decks, this card depicts a figure looking toward one side. The cards he faces represent his future and conscious intentions; those behind his back are influences he does not perceive or chooses to ignore. This directional mechanic is exclusive to Kipper and radically distinguishes it from tarot or Lenormand.
When appearing alongside the Main Female (2), the reading speaks directly to the dynamic between both. The distance between the two cards in a Grand Tableau indicates the degree of emotional connection or separation. If Marriage (3) appears between them, a formal bond unites them. If Prison (29) stands in the way, something severely blocks the relationship.
Card History
Card number 1 of the Kipper has always been the masculine significator, occupying the inaugural position in the deck since the earliest editions published in Munich between 1870 and 1890. In the original deck attributed to Susanne Kipper, this card depicted a middle-class Bavarian man in typical period attire — hat, waistcoat, and upright posture — representing the common citizen who visited the neighborhood card reader.
In 19th-century German society, the man was legally the head of the household and the center of family decisions. This card reflected that social reality: the male querent was literally the protagonist of his reading, and his position determined the fate of the entire family. Card readers in Bavarian taverns and fairs used this card as an anchor to orient the querent within his life situation.
Over time, the interpretation has broadened considerably. Today the Main Male is not limited to the biologically male querent: it can represent anyone who identifies with the masculine energy of the question, or simply the central man in the situation being consulted — whether partner, father, son, boss, or friend. Contemporary decks have updated the imagery to reflect diversity, but the directional mechanics remain the same as those used by Munich card readers over a century ago.
In Love
In love readings, the Main Male represents the man in the relationship or the querent asking about his romantic life. His position relative to the Main Female (2) is the most revealing detail: if both cards are close and facing the same direction, the couple shares goals and desires. If they are far apart or turned away from each other, there is real emotional distance that both likely feel but neither verbalizes.
For singles, this card indicates the querent is the active agent of his own romantic search. Surrounding cards reveal what type of energy he is projecting: if Success in Love (15) is near, he radiates natural attractiveness. If Cloudy Thoughts (33) surround him, his inner insecurities are sabotaging his chances before they even begin.
Pay special attention to whether the Good Lady (6) or the False Person (8) appear near the Main Male in a love reading. The former suggests a woman with good intentions who deserves trust; the latter warns of someone hiding their true romantic motivations.
When the Child (18) appears beside the Main Male in a love context, it may indicate a pregnancy, a child entering the relationship, or simply that the relationship is in a very early and innocent phase requiring care and patience to grow.
At Work
In the professional sphere, the Main Male represents the querent within his work environment. The cards flanking him describe the forces acting on his career: Work (34) nearby confirms his employment is stable and central to his life; Gain Money (11) close by indicates his efforts will translate into tangible financial benefit.
For freelancers and entrepreneurs, the direction the Main Male faces is especially relevant. If he looks toward the Journey (10), a professional relocation or geographic expansion is on the horizon. If he faces the House (20), his focus is on consolidating what he already has — perhaps a home-based business or a phase of stability after a period of movement.
Concerning combinations in work include the Main Male surrounded by the False Person (8) and Theft (24), indicating someone in his professional environment is acting dishonestly and could directly harm him. If the Military Official (22) appears above the Main Male, an authority figure — a boss, an inspector, a regulator — has direct influence over his current work situation.
Advice
As a significator card, the Main Male reminds you of something fundamental: you are the center of your own reading and your own life. You are not a secondary character in someone else's story. The circumstances surrounding you — people, opportunities, obstacles — exist in relation to you, not the other way around. Before asking what the future holds, ask yourself where you are truly looking.
Kipper's directional mechanics apply to real life too: what you face with awareness is what you can change; what you leave behind you unresolved is what eventually catches up. If you feel things are not moving forward, perhaps the problem is not the circumstances but the direction of your attention. Redirect your gaze toward where you want to go, not toward where you fear falling.
Remember that this card does not define you as good or bad, successful or failed. You are a blank canvas whose portrait is painted by your decisions and the influences you allow into your life. Choose carefully who you let get close and who you need to leave behind.