
Minor Arcana · Swords
King of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
- authority
- truth
- intellectual power
- clear judgment
King of Swords upright
The King of Swords is the mind at its most principled — logic, law, and language wielded in service of truth. Judgement here is sharp and fair. Lead with the honest word.
King of Swords reversed
Reversed, the King of Swords marks logic divorced from warmth, or authority wielded coldly. The throne is steadier when the king remembers he is also a person.
How to read King of Swords
King of Swords belongs to the suit of Swords. The suit of air: thoughts, truth, decisions and conflict.
Kings have mastered the suit's energy and lead with it.
Upright, let its keywords guide the reading: authority, truth, intellectual power, and clear judgment.
Reversed, the same themes are usually blocked, delayed or turned inward. Read the reversed meaning above with that in mind.
Make it yours
See your pet — or yourself — on every card
The full 78-card deck includes King of Swords and every other card, each made from your photo and only for you. See your first card free in about a minute.
Try a free tarot reading
Draw a card for today or lay out a full spread. It's free, with no sign-up.