Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

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.

About the Deck

Pivotal and canonical, this deck defined a new pattern that would be followed up to the present.

Provenance

Designed by A.E. Waite and Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. England, 1911.

Meaning of King of Swords from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

Upright

Whatsoever arises out of the idea of judgment and all its connexions-power, command, authority, militant intelligence, law, offices of the crown, and so forth.

Reversed

Cruelty, perversity, barbarity, perfidy, evil intention.

According to Many Schools of Thought

Papus's Divinatory Meanings

Dark bad man. A soldier, an enemy, or one to be mistrusted.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

Upright

A lawyer, senator, doctor.

Reversed

A bad man; also a caution to put an end to a ruinous lawsuit.

Mme. Le Normand's Divinatory Meanings

Great happiness. A journey. A voyage on business. A happy life.

S. L. MacGregor Mathers's Divinatory Meanings

Upright

A Lawyer, a Man of Law, Power, Command, Superiority, Authority

Reversed

A Wicked Man, Chagrin, Worry, Grief, Fear, Disturbance.

P.R.S. Foli's Divinatory Meanings

Upright

A widower, an unscrupulous lawyer, impossible as a friend and dangerous as an enemy

Reversed

the desire to work evil without the power.

Mme. Le Marchand's Divinatory Meanings

you will be drawn into difficulty on account of politics; but you will be so fortunate as to save the life of a person high in station, who will advance you, and you will become prosperous and renowned.