Occult origins of the Joker

photo by Warner Bros Pictures

photo by Warner Bros Pictures

It’s great that Heath Ledger won an Oscar for his role as the Joker. Bravo! In his performance he created one of the great movie villains. When I saw the Dark Knight movie in the theatre, it left me thoughtful. What was the theme of this movie? It really did tackle some significant themes, something uncommon for action movies. I had to ponder this movie for a while.

One of many themes in the Dark Knight film, is both Batman and the Joker are damaged individuals, suffering from severe childhood trauma. Bruce Wayne’s childhood trauma shaped him for the better, or at least in a better direction. This was a reflection of the positive nature of his upbringing by his parents. Wayne channeled his parent’s ethics into a positive direction. The movie suggests the opposite of the Joker. The personal stories he tells his victims suggests a horrific childhood. A child raised in a dysfunctional family will very likely follow in those dysfunctional footsteps. The Joker seems as intellectually brilliant as the Batman, but his intellect is aimed at trying to prove to the world how unfair life is and how morality and civilization are all a joke. The Joker’s rage is actually against his childhood.

joker-card

The writers of the movie thought this through very well. The Batman character has evolved through the decades. From a child’s comic book, it matured under writers like Frank Miller and Alan Moore. Inspired by these writers, director Tim Burton reinvented Batman along the line of this mature Batman. Yet, it was only a halfway journey into the direction the comic’s writers had already taken Batman. Later directors totally sank the movie franchise by going back to the silly past.

Director Christopher Nolan finally realized the Batman character’s full potential, taking the work realized with the Batman comics and transforming it into his movies. The themes of the movie were already present in the comics. The idea of the Joker as Batman’s dark opposite is not a new concept. That the Joker finds meaning in his life with his duels with the Batman is a common theme in the comics. What Nolan did that was brilliant was to take the very best ideas of the comics and somehow distill them into a truly excellent series of films.

Lets look at the character of the Joker. The Joker is an example of a Jungian archetype, the trickster. The trickster is a mythological character who plays tricks on clueless humanity. They were often malicious, such as the Norse trickster god Loki. Other tricksters were the fairies whose used their “glamour” or illusion to befuddle mortals. Or he could appear as the diabolic Mephistopheles who attempts to trick men into selling their souls in a doomed Faustian bargain. In the Batman movie, the Joker is very much like a Mephistopheles, who presents terrible moral choices without any chance at victory.

Also significant is the very name…the Joker. The Joker card is reputed to be based on the Tarot card, the Fool. If so it is the only card of the Tarot’s Major Arcana that appears in our modern playing cards. The Tarot’s Joker, the Fool, is the only unnumbered card. It shows a vagabond wandering with a bag hitched over his shoulder and a dog nipping at his legs.

What is the symbolism behind the Fool card? Slung over the Fool’s shoulder is a bag containing the suits of the Tarot. The four suits of the Tarot cards represent the various conditions of human existence, but they are tied up in the Fool’s bag, unrealized and unused. The Fool is unaware of their potential, and his own.

The next card in the Tarot is the Juggler. The Fool’s bag is now opened and their contents are laid out before the Magician on his working table. The Magician understands his potential and exercises it. The Fool wanders the earth clueless to his potential in his bag, chased by the dog of mundane everyday life. The Fool card symbolizes a state of ignorance and unawareness. The other cards of the Tarot show a steady progress through the various states of human existence on the path to final enlightenment. But at the very beginning is the Fool, completely oblivious to his great potential.

Is the Joker the Fool, and Batman the Magician?

The Fool and the Juggler cards

The Fool and the Juggler cards

Continue reading here: Is channeling spirit guides a good idea or dangerous? Abramelin’s answer

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Readers' Questions

  • eija-riitt
    Who is the joker in occult lore?
    5 months ago
  • In occult lore, the Joker is not a well-established or widely recognized figure. The Joker is primarily associated with the world of comic books, particularly within the Batman franchise, where he serves as the primary antagonist to the Dark Knight. However, in occult and esoteric traditions, there are various figures that embody trickster or chaotic qualities, such as Loki in Norse mythology or Hermes in Greek mythology. These figures often represent the unpredictable and disruptive forces of the universe and can be considered tricksters or jokers in their own right. It is important to note that the Joker as depicted in comic books is a fictional character and not commonly found in occult lore.
    • KEITH
      Is the joker magician?
      7 months ago
    • No, the Joker is not typically portrayed as a magician. He is a fictional character from the Batman comic book series and is known for his chaotic and unpredictable nature as a supervillain.
      • bellino
        Who is the joker occult?
        8 months ago
      • There is no specific character named "Joker Occult" in any established fictional universe or mythology. It is possible that you may be referring to either The Joker, a popular DC Comics supervillain, or to a different character who is associated with occult themes. More context or clarification would be helpful in order to provide a more accurate answer.
        • kiros
          What does the joker represent?
          9 months ago
        • The Joker is a fictional character that has been portrayed in various forms across different media, most notably in the Batman franchise. The portrayal and interpretation of the Joker may vary depending on the specific iteration, but often, the Joker represents chaos, anarchy, and the absence of order. The character embodies unpredictability, madness, and a disregard for societal norms. He often opposes Batman, who represents order, justice, and the rule of law. The Joker is typically depicted as a highly intelligent and insane criminal mastermind, known for his distinctive appearance and maniacal laughter. The Joker's character is often used to explore philosophical themes such as the nature of evil, the duality of human nature, and the limits of sanity. He is a symbol of the nihilistic, destructive potential that lies within individuals and society. In addition, the Joker may also represent a critique of societal corruption and hypocrisy, as he often exposes the flaws and vulnerabilities of the systems and institutions he targets. Overall, the Joker is a complex and multifaceted character that can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the specific story and context.
          • julia
            What does the joker card mean spiritually?
            9 months ago
          • The meaning of the joker card can vary depending on personal beliefs and interpretations. In spirituality, the joker card is often associated with themes of unpredictability, chaos, and transformation. It represents the concept of embracing the unknown and taking risks. Some spiritual interpretations suggest that the joker card symbolizes the importance of embracing all aspects of life, including the light and dark, the good and bad. It encourages individuals to find balance and acceptance in both the joyful and challenging experiences. Additionally, the joker card can also represent the archetype of the trickster or the jester, which is present in various mythologies and folklore. The trickster typically challenges societal norms and expectations, serving as a catalyst for change and growth. Ultimately, the spiritual meaning of the joker card is subjective and can differ based on individual perspectives and beliefs.