Tarot · Minor Arcana · Suit of Swords · King

King of Swords tarot card meaning

A king sits facing straight out from a tall throne, his sword tilted slightly to the right. Behind him stand a few still trees, two birds in the sky and calm, low clouds.

Upright: authority, fairness, intellect, a sound judgment
Reversed: misused power, manipulation, rigid thinking
Yes or no: Yes
Linked to: Fire of Air, the mind in command

King of Swords upright

The King of Swords rules with his mind. Upright, he stands for fairness, reason, expertise and the ability to decide without being swayed by noise. He may show up as a mentor, a judge, a teacher or any elder whose judgment you trust, or as your own ability to think a problem through and stand behind your choice.

As Fire of Air, he turns ideas into firm decisions. He listens to every side, then rules. His gift is impartiality; his risk is forgetting that people aren't problems to solve. He reminds you that a good decision is both clear and humane.

King of Swords reversed

Reversed, the King's power curdles. Logic gets used to control or belittle, rules matter more than people, or someone twists facts to win. You might also be stuck in rigid thinking. Make sure the authority you're following, including your own, has earned it.

Your own question

One card is a sentence. Three cards are an answer.

Bring me the question you keep turning over. The Three-Card Question lays three cards on it: what you asked, what you want underneath it, and what yes and no would each cost you. It opens on screen the moment you pay.

Ask one question — $7 Get a free birth-date reading

King of Swords in love

In love, the King of Swords can be a partner who is thoughtful, fair and a little reserved, someone who shows love through reliability and good counsel. It can also ask you to make a level-headed decision about a relationship instead of a purely emotional one.

King of Swords at work

At work he favors strategy, leadership, writing contracts and making the final call. Take the role of the clear-headed decision maker, and explain your reasons.

King of Swords as feelings

As feelings, the King of Swords says they respect you and think seriously about you, even if they express it with reason rather than passion.

Is King of Swords yes or no?

Yes

A sound, fair decision leans toward yes. A single card leans; it doesn't decide. Read it beside the cards around it and the facts of your own life.

A question to sit with

If you had to defend this decision to someone wise and kind, what would you say?

Write your answer down where no one else will read it. Come back to it in a week.

The question that keeps you up

Swords cut through fog. So can three cards.

When your mind keeps circling one question, write it down and bring it to me. The Three-Card Question lays three cards on it: what you asked, what you want underneath it, and what yes and no would each cost you. It opens on screen the moment you pay.

Ask one question — $7 Get your own free reading

Secure checkout by Stripe. Refund within 7 days if it isn't for you.

Questions about King of Swords

What does King of Swords mean in tarot?

Upright, King of Swords stands for authority, fairness, intellect, a sound judgment. He stands for fairness, reason, expertise and the ability to decide without being swayed by noise.

What does King of Swords reversed mean?

Reversed, King of Swords points to misused power, manipulation, rigid thinking. Logic gets used to control or belittle, rules matter more than people, or someone twists facts to win.

Is King of Swords a yes or no card?

It leans yes. A sound, fair decision leans toward yes. Read it beside the cards around it and the facts of your situation.