Swords · Minor Arcana

King of Swords

Tarot Card Meaning

King of Swords tarot card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck

Upright

  • intellectual authority
  • truth
  • ethics
  • clear thinking

The supreme authority of mind and truth. Lead with logic, ethics, and absolute clarity.

Reversed

  • manipulation
  • tyranny
  • abuse of power
  • cold logic

Intellect weaponized. Power without empathy becomes tyranny of the mind.

Symbolism

A king holds his sword upright — the final authority of reason and truth.

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