King of Swords

Quick answer

The core meaning of King of Swords is Mastery in the realm of Thought. Upright, it usually points to Whatsoever arises out of the idea of judgment and all its connections—power, com; reversed, it may suggest Cruelty, perversity, barbarity, perfidy, evil intention.

Card imagery

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.

Upright meaning

Upright keywords: Thought: Mastery. Waite gives the upright divinatory meaning as: Whatsoever arises out of the idea of judgment and all its connections—power, command, authority, militant intelligence, law, offices of the crown, and so forth.

Reversed meaning

Reversed keywords: Thought: Mastery (blocked). Waite gives the reversed divinatory meaning as: Cruelty, perversity, barbarity, perfidy, evil intention.

Love, Career, Money, and Growth

Love

Upright, the King of Swords is a rational, principled partner who values communication and commitment, though perhaps a little short on emotional warmth. Reversed, cold, controlling, all logic and no feeling, or using authority to overrule you.

Career

Upright it is authority, rules, the clear-thinking decision-maker, suited to building systems and professional judgement. Reversed, abuse of position, rigid rules, results without regard for people, or a cold management style.

Money

Upright it often shows rigorous financial management, professional legal or tax advice, clear contracts. Reversed, beware people who manipulate the terms, over-controlling the finances, or numbers that ignore reality.

Personal growth

The King of Swords has you practise deciding on clear principles. Upright, take responsibility for your judgement; reversed, reason without empathy is just another form of stubbornness.

Example question

You ask whether this contract can be signed and draw the King of Swords. Upright says the terms are logical and the rules clear, and it can be trusted, but still read every clause. Reversed says the other party is using authority or the terms to control you, all reasoning and no regard for reality; have a third party review it before you sign.

Yes or No

Upright

Maybe

Reversed

No

This is our own quick read, based on which way the card’s meaning leans. Traditions disagree about individual cards, and a “Maybe” needs to be weighed against the position in the spread and your actual situation rather than taken as a one-word answer.

Waite’s Original Text (1911)

Additional Meaning

A lawyer, senator, doctor. Reversed: A bad man; also a caution to put an end to a ruinous lawsuit.

Quoted from A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. The text is in the public domain.