Does 'The World' Tarot card signify a final conclusion?

You could say that, but the term "grand finale" only tells half the story.

The World card is indeed the final card of the Major Arcana in Tarot, so it carries strong connotations of "completion," "fulfillment," and "success." You can imagine it as a project you've worked hard on for a long time finally coming to a perfect conclusion, or a long journey reaching its most beautiful destination. Drawing this card usually signifies a very positive and successful outcome for the matter you're inquiring about. Your efforts are rewarded, and you feel a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

However, it's more than just an "end."

This "end" is more like a milestone than a final stop. Just like graduating from university marks the end of an educational phase, but simultaneously the beginning of entering society and embarking on a brand new chapter of life. Therefore, The World card also strongly suggests a new beginning. It tells you that you have learned all the lessons from past experiences, integrated all your experiences and abilities, and now you are "ready" to embrace the next broader and more exciting phase with full confidence and wisdom.

So, to summarize simply:

Is it a "grand finale"? Yes, it represents the perfect completion of a cycle, where things have reached their most ideal state.
Is it just a "grand finale"? No, it's more of a celebratory culmination, and simultaneously a brand new beginning full of hope and potential.

So, the next time you draw The World card, besides being happy that things are coming to fruition, don't forget to ask yourself: "Okay, this phase has concluded perfectly, what will my next new world look like?"

Ah, that's an excellent question about whether "The World" card represents the ultimate ending – many people new to Tarot have this very question.

In short: Yes, and no.

Hold on, I'll give you an analogy, and you'll understand.

You can think of "The World" card as you've completed a massive video game, or you've finished the grand finale of a long-running TV series.

From the "yes" perspective: It is indeed an ending. You've experienced the protagonist (The Fool) going from knowing nothing at the start, through various challenges, learning, and growth (all the Major Arcana cards in between), finally defeating the ultimate boss, achieving all goals, and saving the world. This is a complete, fulfilling, and successful conclusion. In this storyline, everything has been resolved, and you've gained a tremendous sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Therefore, when "The World" card appears in a reading, it usually means that the matter you're inquiring about has reached a very fulfilling peak, a perfect culmination of a phase. For example, a project successfully completed, academic studies successfully finished, or a relationship reaching a harmonious conclusion.
From the "not entirely" perspective: You've completed the game, but your life hasn't ended, right? You might immediately start a new game, or begin a "New Game+" challenge. You've finished the series, but tomorrow you'll start watching a new one.

The same principle applies to "The World" card. It symbolizes the end of a cycle, not the end of "life" or "everything." The card is numbered 21, the last of the Major Arcana, but the entire journey begins with "The Fool" (card 0). Once "The World" (card 21) completes its mission, a new cycle will begin again with "The Fool" (card 0).

So, the appearance of "The World" card is more like it's telling you:

"Congratulations! You have successfully completed the lessons of this phase! You've learned everything you needed to learn, and gained everything you were meant to gain. Now, you can confidently and joyfully embark on the next brand new chapter of your life, armed with all this experience and achievement!"

It's a period mark filled with joy and celebration, and simultaneously the beginning of a new paragraph full of hope and infinite possibilities. So, don't view it as a heavy, irreversible "termination," but rather as a celebratory "graduation ceremony." You've graduated, and you're ready to venture out into the wider world!