King of Swords Tarot Card Meaning (Wisdom & Trickery)

The King of Swords as a person is a mature man. You seek the King of Swords’ advice. You may appeal to someone for direction when this card appears.

Likewise, the King of Swords can indicate advanced knowledge and experience. Others turn to you for your opinion, and you give objective guidance.

The King of Swords is protective, reliable, and intellectual. When this tarot card appears, mental power and communication skills are in the spotlight.

Common Symbolism

The King of Swords symbolism traditionally portrays power and determination. The King sits on a throne with three butterflies carved into the back.

He faces forward and holds a sword, yet his posture is relaxed and not defensive. He wears sky-blue clothes correlating to the air element.

Trees in the background against a clear skyscape suggest calm winds, compared to other swords cards in which trees bend in the wind. The calm demeanor of the King of Swords relates to this card’s association with maturity.

The King of Swords wears a yellow crown with the image of a cherub carved into the front. Some attribute this image to the archangel Raphael, associated with the air element.

The yellow crown represents gold, considered the ultimate phase of evolution in alchemical texts. The King of Swords has reached perfection and is developed and evolved, especially in intellect and communication.

In some variations, birds surround the King of Swords. He usually has a neutral expression, but sometimes his face is serious. He sometimes appears in a library or surrounded by books to represent his intellectual prowess.

Wings, feathers, pens, and clouds are all common symbols associated with the air element. These symbols appear in variations of the King of Swords card.

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Upright General Meaning

The King of Swords meaning can be complicated. Like all court cards, the King of Swords indicates a person, event, or aspect of your personality. The King of Swords can also represent a combination of these things.

The King of Swords appears in a reading to indicate you have mastered a topic and are ready to share your wisdom with others. You complete a class or certification, get promoted, or stand out as an expert.

The King of Swords can also represent someone who helps you overcome a challenge; you gain support and insight from an expert or consultant. The King of Swords zodiac sign is Gemini. A centered, wise Gemini man gives you advice.

The King of Swords as a lesson means you overcome bias and opinions. You learn to rely on logic and analysis; don’t jump to conclusions. Take a slow, rational approach to solving problems.

The King of Swords yes or no is difficult to interpret. You need more information before determining whether to move forward with plans. The King of Swords can be a gatekeeper testing you.

Upright Love & Relationships

The King of Swords in love can be a complicated omen. Communication with a wise, discreet person is needed. Your relationship focuses on intellectual connection and shared interests.

You resolve a conflict in your relationship if you remain rational and assertive. Avoid dominating your partner or becoming self-righteous.

The King of Swords can be a counselor or guide who helps you solve a relationship problem. As a partner, the King of Swords is emotionally detached but helpful and insightful.

The King of Swords as feelings represents a calm demeanor. You are determined but subdue your passions in favor of logic and rationality.

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Upright Money & Career

The King of Swords in career portends progress and growth. You get a promotion or take charge of a business. Your career advances and you reach status and prominence because of your ideas.

You may appeal to the wisdom of a fair and rational manager or career counselor to help you succeed. Someone helps you research or find new career leads. An experienced person guides your career path.

The King of Swords appears in a reading to encourage careers in teaching, law, consulting, or mediation. You may be attracted to work as a writer, scientist, researcher, or accountant.

The Knight of Swords followed by the King of Swords indicates career growth. You gain experience and wisdom. Your professional development is clear, and you start a new phase in your career.

Upright Health

The King of Swords in a health reading indicates mastery of a subject related to recovery or wellness. Though you amass information related to healthy lifestyles, knowing and doing are not the same.

The King of Swords appears when you must put your knowledge to work. You have studied as much as you can and must make changes to align with your new understanding.

An expert helps you get to the source of a health problem. You find stability and recovery based on new information you learn from a guide or professional.

Evaluate health information with a critical lens. Be open to learning new things but don’t believe everything you read. Seek valid sources and judge information based on analysis and experience.

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Upright Spirituality

The King of Swords appears in spirituality readings to help you discern truth from illusions. You achieve a healthy balance between faith and rationality.

Your ideas are inspired by a spiritual source yet you remain grounded because of your intellectual nature. You become an expert on a spiritual ideology or religion but may not put your spiritual knowledge to practical use.

When the King of Swords appears in a spirituality reading, work on finding ways to balance your spiritual ideas and routines that help you align with your beliefs.

You may be critical of spiritual beliefs that seem supernatural, opting instead for a rational link to spirituality. The King of Swords implies discretion and reason form the basis for your spirituality.

Reversed General Meaning

The King of Swords tarot reversed indicates a loss of perspective. Your rational senses are offset by passions and emotions. You may misuse your expertise or abuse your power.

The King of Swords reversed can represent corruption. A powerful man misuses information to control or deceive others. Someone is trying to trick you or have undue influence over your mind.

Avoid being manipulated by someone who uses diplomacy to trick others. Be clear about your focus and intentions. Assert your ideas, and don’t blindly follow charismatic leaders.

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Reversed Love & Relationships

The King of Swords reversed in love indicates a deceptive partner. A love interest is duplicitous and uses trickery to disguise their intentions. Someone gives bad advice or is not trustworthy.

Your communication must improve when the King of Swords appears reversed in a love reading. Don’t take others at their word, look for evidence to support what you are told.

The King of Swords reversed indicates challenges that disrupt your relationship. You don’t see eye to eye with a partner. A partner tries to use their expertise to gaslight or manipulate you.

Reversed Money & Career

The King of Swords reversed in career suggests you are being misled or deceived by an influential person at work. Your career plans are not centered and you may be following dead-end leads.

Someone tries to recruit you but what they deliver is not what they promised. Don’t take communication at face value; document important career matters.

Avoid verbal agreements. A boss or supervisor tells you what you want to hear but does not follow through. False or misleading information interferes with your career development.

Be cautious about investments and finances. You may fall for a scam or invest in a class or certification that is not what you expected. Someone misleads you into an unwise investment.

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Reversed Health

The King of Swords reversed in health indicates ignorance and stubbornness. A guru or guide passes himself off as an expert but is a fraud. Be careful about the health advice you follow when this card appears reversed.

You ignore health warnings or dismiss symptoms rather than learn the source of an issue. The King of Swords reversed suggests you are not making the most of your knowledge.

You miss opportunities to strengthen your health because of misinformation. Learn about new health breakthroughs but be discreet about the sources you trust.

Reversed Spirituality

The King of Swords reversed in a spirituality reading indicates you are losing your rational perspective. You may be susceptible to hoaxes or conspiracies. Remain grounded when this card appears reversed.

You are vulnerable to the influence of a dominating, charismatic, yet deceptive leader. You don’t easily discern intuition from fantasies. The King of Swords reversed shows poor judgment in spiritual matters.

You may neglect your spirituality and try to rationalize intuitive experiences. Work to find a balance between logic and esoteric wisdom when this card appears reversed.