King of Swords tarot card meaning
On the card: A king sits on a stone throne carved with lions, holding an upright sword. An owl and a falcon perch beside him, and a white stag rests at his feet before distant mountains.
At a glance
| Arcana | Minor Arcana, Swords |
|---|---|
| Element | Air |
| Keywords (upright) | Authority, intellect, truth, fair judgement |
| Keywords (reversed) | Abuse of power, manipulation, rigidity |
| Yes or no | Yes |
Upright meaning
The King of Swords is the master of intellect and truth. He makes decisions based on logic, ethics and fairness. As a person, he may be a lawyer, judge, doctor or advisor. As advice, he asks you to think clearly, act with integrity and take responsibility for your decisions.
Reversed meaning
Reversed, authority is misused, or logic becomes cold and rigid. Be fair and open-minded.
Love and relationships
In love, a principled, intelligent partner. Honest discussion strengthens the bond.
Work and career
At work, leadership, expertise and fair decisions. Professional advice is useful.
Money
With money, sound judgement and expert advice lead to good decisions.
Advice
Decide with logic and integrity.
