King of Swords — Rider-Waite-Smith tarot card
Swords · Minor Arcana

King of Swords.

intellectual authority · truth · ethics.

Suit
Swords
Number
14
Element
Air

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.

Love & Relationships

Upright · Reversed

Upright

Logic and integrity steer this relationship. You or a partner value clear thinking, fairness, and honest commitment over dramatic emotion. Decisions are made with a level head and firm principles. It is steady and trustworthy, though remember that warmth and vulnerability matter as much as being reasonable and right.

Reversed

Cold logic tips into control or manipulation. Someone uses intellect to dominate, dismiss feelings, or twist arguments to their advantage. Emotional detachment becomes a wall, and reason turns into a tool for tyranny rather than fairness. Guard against a partner who wins every debate but offers no tenderness.

Career & Money

Upright · Reversed

Upright

You lead with intellectual authority, ethics, and clear strategic thinking. Sound judgement earns you respect, and you make fair, principled decisions others trust. This is a powerful time to set standards, cut through complexity, and command a situation through expertise and honest reasoning rather than force or charm.

Reversed

Authority curdles into manipulation or abuse of power. Cold, ruthless logic overrides ethics, and control replaces fair leadership. You or someone above you may bully, deceive, or wield intellect as a weapon. Watch for tyranny disguised as reason, and keep your own decisions grounded in genuine integrity.

Yes or No

Quick verdict
Yes

Clear reasoning, authority, and sound judgement support a considered, principled path forward toward success.

As Feelings

Upright · Reversed

Upright

They feel about you through the lens of reason and principle, weighing the relationship with a calm, rational mind. Their emotions are controlled and steady rather than effusive, and they value honesty and fairness. They care in a grounded, committed way, but express it through logic more than passion.

Reversed

They feel emotionally detached and may intellectualize or suppress what they truly feel. Their coolness can read as controlling or dismissive, using logic to keep vulnerability at bay. Warmth is buried beneath a rigid, guarded exterior, and they struggle to let real emotion override their careful, calculating mind.

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

See how King of Swords appears in your reading.

Draw a spread