King of Swords
Jurisprudence
“Facts are stubborn things.”
John Adams
King of Swords at a glance
Finbarre’s interpretation: The King of Swords applies law, reason and authority to decisions whose consequences extend beyond personal preference.
| Upright | objective judgement, intellectual leadership, law, clear standards, strategic thinking |
|---|---|
| Reversed | abuse of authority, cruelty, corruption, manipulation of rules, cold calculation |
| Linked card | The Emperor |
| Soundtrack | Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode Open the full Tarot Interviews playlist on Spotify |
Upright meanings
- Objective judgement
- Intellectual leadership
- Law
- Clear standards
- Strategic thinking
- Ethical authority
- Disciplined communication
- Impartial decision-making
- Expertise
- Accountability
Reversed meanings
- Abuse of authority
- Cruelty
- Corruption
- Manipulation of rules
- Cold calculation
- Bad faith
- Rigid ideology
- Punitive judgement
- Intelligence without conscience
- Harmful command
King of Swords in a reading
| Area | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Love | Communication: Ethical authority. Reversed: Bad faith. |
| Career | Work: Disciplined communication; impartial decision-making. Warning: Rigid ideology. |
| Money | Financial theme: Expertise. Warning: Intelligence without conscience. |
| Feelings | Upright: Law. Reversed: Corruption. |
| Advice | Prioritise: Accountability. Watch for: Harmful command. |
| Outcome | Potential: Strategic thinking. Obstacle: Cold calculation. |
| Yes or no | Yes, when evidence, law or expert judgement supports it. |
Symbols in King of Swords
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The upright sword | Authority is inseparable from judgement and consequence. |
| The frontal throne | The King faces scrutiny rather than turning towards private interest. |
| The butterflies | Thought can transform, even within a highly controlled office. |
| The clear sky | The ideal is transparent reasoning rather than emotional fog. |
A. E. Waite's original description
He sits in judgment, holding the unsheathed sign of his suit. He recalls, of course, the conventional Symbol of justice in the Trumps Major, and he may represent this virtue, but he is rather the power of life and death, in virtue of his office.
Waite's original divinatory meanings
Upright:
Whatsoever arises out of the idea of judgment and all its connexions: power, command, authority, militant intelligence, law, offices of the crown, and so forth.
Reversed:
Cruelty, perversity, barbarity, perfidy, evil intention.
Source: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, first published in 1910, with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith.
Continue through the deck
- Previous card: Queen of Swords
- Next card: Ace of Pentacles
Written and interpreted by Finbarre Snarey, tarot researcher, founder of the British Tarot Archive and coordinator of the UK living heritage submission for Rider-Waite-Smith tarot reading practice.
These interpretations reflect Finbarre Snarey’s understanding of contemporary Rider-Waite-Smith tarot practice. They are provided for education, reflection and entertainment only and should not be treated as medical, legal, financial, psychological or relationship advice.
