The King of Swords tarot card shows a king who sits on his throne while holding a double-edged sword that points upwards in his right hand. The King of Swords radiates intellectual power, clear thinking, truth, and authority. He understands that power holds great responsibility.

The blue tunic that the king wears is a symbol of his spiritual understanding. The butterflies on the back of his throne are indicative of transformation.

Upright Meaning Guide
King of Swords Upright Tarot Card Key Meanings:
Structure, routine, intelligent, rational, logical, power, authority, strength, manners, conversation, discerning, detached, cool, honesty, integrity, ethics, morals, clinical, stern, methodical, self-discipline, head over heart, use your head, military, law enforcement, legal matters, judge, father

General Meaning and Interpretation (Upright)

In a general context, the King of Swords represents structure, routine, self-discipline, power authority. It is a Minor Arcana card of being methodical, using your head, mind over matter and the head over the heart. This card signifies logic and reason, integrity, ethics, and morals. The King of Swords can represent legal matters, law enforcement, military, police, and judges. As a person, the King of Swords is a mature male who is cool, self-disciplined, intelligent, honest and strong. He is rational, logical and a deep thinker. He may be an air sign such as Aquarius, Gemini or Libra. He does not like to publicly display his emotions and prefers to use his intellect over his emotions to deal with situations. He is a great conversationalist and fiercely loyal and protective of his loved ones. He does well in structured environments and needs to have a routine to operate at his best. He can be clinical and stern. In the extreme negative, he can be a bully or a tyrant and he can be cold or distant if someone is too irrational for his liking. But generally, he is analytical and fair-minded. He takes his responsibilities seriously, is dependable and plays by the rules.

Love & Relationships (Upright)

In a love Tarot reading, if you are in a relationship the King of Swords can indicate that you are in a relationship with someone who embodies the qualities outlined in the above section or you are displaying some of those characteristics yourself in your love life. It can also indicate that you and your partner are connected on an intellectual level as well as a physical and emotional level. It also signifies that your relationship or partner challenges you to excel and maintain high standards. This card can also represent fatherhood so it is a good omen if you are planning a family. If you are single, the King of Swords can indicate that you will meet someone who embodies the qualities outlined in the above section or you are displaying some of those characteristics yourself in your love life. It can also indicate that you need a partner who you can connect with on an intellectual level. It can also represent a man who is happy with his life as a bachelor. If you want a relationship with this man, be aware that he will not settle for a partner who cannot hold his interest or meet his high standards.

Money & Career (Upright)

In a career Tarot reading, the King of Swords can represent a mature older man in your work environment who will challenge you and hold you to high standards. He may be stern with you but don’t be overly sensitive. If you behave with honesty and integrity and act in an intelligent manner you will gain his respect, he will give you sound guidance and you will learn a lot from him. This Minor Arcana card can represent someone who is authoritative, methodical, clinical and rational. It tells you to keep a cool head in business and make sure you are in possession of all the facts before making decisions. This card can also indicate that having more structure and routine will help bring you success. In a financial Tarot spread, the King of Swords indicates that you need to take a realistic, logical and rational approach to your finances. It tells you to use your head and educate yourself before investing.

Health (Upright)

In a health Tarot spread, the King of Swords indicates that putting more structure into your routine is the key to maintaining or improving your health or fitness right now and in the future. This may take the form of going to bed at a set time, eating set meals, working out in a more structured way such as taking an exercise class or getting a personal trainer. If you have been suffering from an illness or injury, the King of Swords can also indicate surgeons or consultants being involved in your care.

Spirituality (Upright)

In a spiritual context, the King of Swords tells you that you can learn about as many spiritual practices as you like, attend as many workshops as are available, read as many books as you can get your hands on but at some point you just need to start putting all your knowledge into practice and follow your heart instead of your head. Now is that time, stop thinking about it and start doing it!

Reversed Meaning Guide
King of Swords Reversed Tarot Card Key Meanings:
Lack of structure/routine, intelligence used in a bad way, irrational, illogical, power-crazed, dictator, oppressive, inhumane, aggressive, brutal, violent, intimidation, controlling, cynical, cold, ruthless, weak, powerless, rude, dishonest, lack of integrity/morals/discipline, losing your head, judgemental, absent father

General meaning and interpretation (Reversed)

In a general context, the King of Swords reversed can represent a lack of structure, routine, self-discipline, power or authority. When reversed it is a Minor Arcana card of not using your head or losing your cool. Alternatively, it can represent being power-hungry, inhumane or a tyrant. This card reversed signifies a lack of logic, reason, integrity, ethics or morals. The King of Swords reversed can also indicate legal matters not going in your favor. As a person, the King of Swords reversed is a mature male who can be cold, power-hungry, controlling, cynical, sarcastic and ruthless. He may be an air sign such as Aquarius, Gemini or Libra. He can be oppressive, judgemental, aggressive, abusive, violent and brutal. This card reversed can represent someone who is intelligent and talkative but uses these qualities for negative means such as to manipulate or hurt others. Alternatively, he can be irrational, illogical, dim-witted, weak and a poor communicator.

Love & Relationships (Reversed)

In a love Tarot reading, if you are in a relationship the King of Swords reversed can indicate that you are in a relationship with someone who embodies the qualities outlined in the above section or you are displaying some of those characteristics yourself in your love life. If this card represents your partner you need to be very cautious. This Minor Arcana card reversed can indicate a partner who is abusive, aggressive, violent, brutal and dangerous. It can also indicate that you are letting your heart overrule your head and maybe losing your cool over silly things. This card can also represent infertility or an absent father so it is a not good omen if you are planning a child. If you are single, the King of Swords reversed can indicate that you will meet someone who embodies the qualities outlined in the above section or you are displaying some of those characteristics yourself in your love life. If you meet someone who embodies these qualities, steer well clear. He will not treat you well and maybe violent or dangerous. It can also simply indicate a relationship with a man who is a bachelor or single father. It can also indicate that you should use your head more when it comes to weeding out unsuitable partners and not let your heart make all the decisions before someone has earned your trust.

Money & Career (Reversed)

In a career Tarot reading, the King of Swords reversed can represent a mature older man in your work environment who may be intimidating you or even bullying you. He may be power-hungry, judgemental, cold and aggressive and may try to use his intelligence and authority to try and undermine you. This Minor Arcana card reversed can indicate that you may be prone to losing your cool or making irrational or illogical decision at this time, don’t lose your head! In business, this card reversed can also indicate that a lack of structure, routine or self-discipline may be hampering your success. This card can also signify legal matters not being resolved in your favor. In a financial Tarot spread, the King of Swords reversed can indicate that a lack of control or self-discipline in your financial management could lead to issues so make sure you are keeping control of them and acting with integrity in all financial matters.

Health (Reversed)

In a health Tarot spread, the King of Swords reversed can indicate that you feel powerless at the moment. If you are going through medical treatment, you may feel like the medical professionals you are dealing with are making all the calls or not listening to your thoughts on the best course of treatment. It’s your body and your health, don’t be a passenger in your recovery. Listen to your healthcare providers but make sure any concerns you have are listened to and addressed.

Spirituality (Reversed)

In a spiritual context, the King of Swords reversed indicates that you need to keep your head engaged in your spiritual development. You need to use your head to filter out the useful bits from the huge volume of information that is coming your way. Don’t blindly believe everything you learn, be discerning, use your brain, find what works for you and throw the rest away.

Reference:
Labyrinthos, 2019, 11/13/19, (https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list/king-of-swords-meaning-tarot-card-meanings?_pos=10&_sid=18b5a7f6f&_ss=r)
Lisa, 2019, 11/13/19, (https://www.thetarotguide.com/king-of-swords)