at first i thought the same, carefree no ties or commitment, bu now i see he i look so far up in the air he doesnt see the cliff edge

I recently discovered the "New Vision Tarot" which is the reverse or backside of the Rider Waite Deck. It adds some interesting views from what is behind the figures on the Rider Waite Deck. I see the fool as the unimprinted soul. Not male or female but as an open mind. Looking at all the new things to be discovered and almost waiting for life to just happen. I see all the elements in this card the fire with the yellow sun and sky, the air as he or shee gazes upward and as his or her cloak seems to blow the water shown with the frozen mountain peaks and earth, where he or she stands ready to discover all that life has to offer. I have began to see how all the cards intertwine with each other with the elements and I am very interested in this correlation.    Crone

I see the Fool as a fun, silly, carefree person.  He is a character in his own right being funny, childish and silly.  He doesn't take things seriously and enjoys his carefree life.  

He doesn't plan for the future but things always seem to come his way.  He doesn't care about consequenses because so far there has been nothing that was too terrible for him.

He's still young and has not been hardened by living though hard times.  His heart is still young and free.

I see the tarot as a journey. I do not see The Fool as male or female, because through the journey The Fool evolves and takes on different personas. The card in the Rider deck doesn't plainly assign a sex to the Fool.  I have started to see the association with the Minor cards with the Majors. That seemed to be the hardest thing for me to "get". Aries is associated with the Fool and Wands and Fire represented to me Wands - the staff carried holding the four elements Air, Water, Fire and Earth.

Crone

My interpretation of the FOOL is...

The WHITE FLOWER represents new starts and/or cherished memories
The SUN represents expansion and growth
The BINDLE on a stick represents simple basic needs to survive (carrying everything you need in a small bag)
the BINDLESTICK represents self-reliance, can use stick to protect ones self or to knock down obstacles in way
The CLIFF represents the end of road/major change and you either have the strength to step out into the unknown or you withdraw from problem and throw self off-time for a decision (fool looks positive about this decision)  Look at bigger view
The WHITE DOG represents loyalty and truth and that you are on the right path, guiding you like your instinct.
The MOUNTAINS represent a challenge to deal with or realization of goals, your endurance
The FOOL dressed in flashy colors says he in creative and true to self, originality, moves forward alone.

I believe it is saying be true to your own self, look at big picture and move toward goals with strength.  When things are hard think positive and let your instinct guide you, you always have room to grow and will forever be learning.  Keep things simple and work hard for your goals, and your strength and positive attitude will get you through tough journeys. Need to think things through, life has many challenges, it is about how you handle them.  If you do not listen to your instinct or look at whole picture and look at the negative you are being a fool and then you are moving toward danger or choices that affect you negatively not giving meaning to your life and not being true to self.