The King of Swords

King of Swords Meaning

The King of Swords is one of the Minor Arcana, number 14 of the Swords suit, and is also one of the Court Cards. The Tarot interpretation of the King of Swords usually involves matters of philosophy, authorship of a large work, someone who is at the top of their game, or separation from a teacher or guide.

King of Swords Reversed Meaning

The King of Swords reversed means intellectual dishonesty, forgetting hard-learned lessons of the past, going it alone for no good reason, and learning to stop overthinking things.

King of Swords Astrological and Esoteric Correspondences

This card represents authority, structured thought, and strategic clarity, linking it to the sign Capricorn and the birthstone Sapphire. Learn more about the significance of its number 14 on the numerology page, and its element Air on the elements page.

Previous card: Queen of Swords

Next card: Ace of Swords

Court Cards
Tarot Cards

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Fool’s Key Tarot

Fool’s Key weaves Tarot, Astrology, and other esoteric traditions into a unified symbolic system. By exploring their interconnections, you can uncover deeper meanings, sharpen your intuition, and discover new ways to learn, reflect, and grow.