King of Swords

For the 2013 novel by Dave Duncan, see The Starfolk.

For the 1971 novel by Michael Moorcock, see The King of the Swords.

The King of Swords is a card used in Latin-suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana".

King of Swords from the Rider–Waite tarot deck

Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games.^[1] In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes.^[1][2]

Divination usage

The King of Swords card from the Minor Arcana is often used to depict a mature man with sound intellectual understanding and reasoning. This card depicts a man who is strong-hearted, decisive, and intellectually oriented.

The King of Swords can also depict a man who is ruthless or excessively judgmental; the querent is therefore advised to balance their intellectual orientation with emotional understanding.