The Kings are right at the top of the hierarchy amongst all the Court Cards. They represent the absolute mature version of the personality in that suit. As such, they are stable and solid, and they exercise complete control over their element. On occasion, they are even capable of even directing the flow of the energies of their element.
The ideas that were conceived in the stage of the Page, acted upon in the Knight stage, nurtured and cared for in the Queen stage — these ideas have now fully developed, and are stabilized and directed towards the next level of growth and development in the King stage.
Let’s look at the different Kings amongst our Court Cards.
In The Kings Court
The Kings represent a very mature and stable man (or a masculine person) who is capable of stabilizing, managing, directing and controlling the energies of that suit. He makes sure that the idea has now become a viable “final product”, and he then makes sure that it reaches wherever it is supposed to go. He fosters the growth and maturity of the concept till finalization. Here are some typical interpretations for the Kings:
- He is a mature man who controls and directs. He is the one who literally runs the show.
- The Kings come up in readings to represent the presence of mature masculine energies. This could be in the shape of friends and family members who have such stable, solid personalities.
- In the court, the King rules supreme. He is the top boss – in charge of everyone around him, and that includes his Kingdom and his subjects. He is the person who is responsible for their well being.
- The Kings are linked with the element of Air, which is is all about the intellect, the mind, and communication – the perfect description for the King.
Thus, the Kings represent the fully developed personalities of each of the suits in the Tarot card deck.
Now let’s look at each of the four Kings in our deck.
King of Wands
Personality
The King of Wands is Air of Fire. He is passionate, powerful and versatile, and also very stable, secure and grounded. He loves taking courageous and bold steps, and is not afraid to venture out into the unknown. He is friendly and honest to the core. He commands absolute trust and respect. He is self-confident and always motivates others.
Dress
The King of Wands wears a red dress – the color signifies passion and energy. All the Salamanders on his cape are now completing the circle of their elemental energies. This means that the King is capable of bouncing back from any negative situation simply on the strength of his inner powers.
The King of Wands also wears a crown that has flames depicted on it. A little Salamander rests by his feet – showing us that he has conquered the elemental energy of his suit.
Surrounding
In keeping with the theme of the Suit of Wands and the Element of Fire, the King of Wands sits in a desert, surrounded by warm sand. He has a very passionate and energetic aura around him.
Upright Interpretation
When the King of Wands comes up upright in a reading, we can say:
- Someone who is dynamic, energetic, strong, competent, charming and creative.
- Someone who displays such personality traits in the given surroundings.
- Someone who is a well loved leader and thus commands respect by his behavior and actions.
- Someone who can see the big picture and can take bold, courageous actions.
- Someone who is very principled, and always yearns to do the right thing.
- Someone who can bounce back from adverse situations easily.
- Presence of such a person / man in your life.
Reversed Interpretation
When the King of Wands comes up reversed in a reading, we can say:
- Someone who has lost his energy, drive and passion. His creative ideas don’t really have much steam in them.
- Someone who displays such personality traits in the surrounding situation.
- Someone who gives in to his impulses and it doesn’t always end well.
- Someone who is arrogant, ill tempered, moody and intolerant.
- Someone who is unable to bounce back from adverse scenarios.
- Presence of such a person / man in your life.
King of Swords
Personality
The King of Swords is Air of Air. This is a person whose logic and mind are paramount. He is very sharp, and intelligent and in complete command of his thoughts. He is always in control, and likes to remain that way. He can often be very assertive and dominating.
Highly rational and logical, he is precise and diplomatic with his words and thoughts. He has a very severe sense of right and wrong. He is extremely analytical and objective.
Dress
If you see, the King of Swords wears a plain white dress – nothing is revealed except the purity of logic and thought. The butterflies decorating his throne are the only way that one can realize that he is also capable of very creative thought processes.
However, you can see from the way he holds his fist closed, that he doesn’t always reveal all that he thinks, or I dare say, feels.
Surrounding
There are no gusts of wind in the environment surrounding the King of Swords. Two birds fly in the sky. All the conflicting and confusing thoughts have now settled down in a peaceful and controlled manner.
Upright Interpretation
So when the King of Swords comes up upright in a reading, we can say:
- A very logical and discerning person. He is controlling and precise. He is also very intelligent and creative.
- Someone who displays such qualities in the surrounding situation.
- Someone who is very direct and analytical.
- Someone very severe and disciplined.
- Someone very dispassionate, and even aloof.
- Presence of such a person / man in your life.
Reversed Interpretation
When the King of Swords comes up reversed in a reading, we can say:
- Someone who is overly critical and controlling. He is rigid, dictatorial and is absolutely disconnected from emotions.
- Someone who displays such qualities in the surrounding situation.
- Someone who is cold, uncaring, and doesn’t listen to others.
- Someone who can be sadistic or cruel, oppressive and impatient.
- Presence of such a person / man in your life.
King of Cups
Personality
The King of Cups is Air of Water. He is the person who is capable of finding stability amidst the swirling waves of emotions. The card’s picture depicts just that scenario, doesn’t it?
He is a caring, loving, and emotionally mature person. He can be serene and calm, especially when right in the middle of a crisis, while at the same time being able to calm others who might not be emotionally stable.
Dress
The King of Cups wears blue – just like the water element he symbolizes. His throne floats on water – just like the stability that he has achieved with his emotions. He is the master of his element and is able to direct and control the flow of the element’s energies.
Surrounding
All around the King of Cups are the waves of the ocean. A little fish (creativity, inspiration) pops up from the water, while a ship (the means of carrying messages from the subconscious) floats right behind him.
The King of Cups is able to communicate with his inner self and subconscious mind in a very conscious manner.
Upright Interpretation
When the King of Cups comes up upright in a reading, we can say:
- Someone who is emotionally mature and serene and calm.
- Someone showing such personality traits in the surrounding situations.
- Someone who is passionate, affectionate and caring.
- Someone who is very creative and intuitive.
- Someone who is very much in control of his emotions and feelings.
- Presence of such a person / man in your life.
Reversed Interpretation
When the King of Cups comes up reversed in a reading, we can say:
- Someone who is emotionally unstable, and unable to maintain calm and serenity.
- Someone who shows such personality traits in the surrounding situations.
- Someone who is moody, gloomy, sad, depressed.
- Someone who is nostalgic, and lost in dark, self-delusional thoughts.
- Someone who might have a problem with alcohol abuse.
- Presence of such a person / man in your life.
King of Pentacles
Personality
The King of Pentacles is Air of Earth. As such, he is the most grounded, most stable King amongst all the Kings – often to the point of being too grounded. He is a person who always thinks long term, and absolutely loves his routines. He can have a love for Nature. Although he is very practical minded, he also loves having fine things around him.
Not only does he care for himself, but he also takes care of all those around him and dependent on him – no expense spared!
Dress
The King of Pentacles wears a dress dominated by the designs of grapes. Grapes symbolize luxury and the love of luxury – and the King of Pentacles can be a very sensual and sensuous person.
Surrounding
Around the King of Pentacles we see the greenery of Nature. However, we also see a palace in the background – a symbol of his financial stability and status. Stone is also a very dominant Earth symbol and we can see a wall of stone right behind him too. He is someone who defines his limits / limitations, and abides by them quite sincerely.
Upright Interpretation
When the King of Pentacles comes up upright in a reading, we can say:
- Someone who is very calm, stable, realistic, dependable. Someone financially stable. Someone with business acumen.
- Someone who shows such personality traits in the surrounding scenarios.
- Someone who is very much a lover of his routine – he does not like for his routine to be disturbed. He is focused and disciplined.
- Someone who likes fine things. He can also be an avid collector of antiques, watches, and art.
- Someone who is very patient, tenacious and always thinks long-term.
- Presence of such a person / man in your life.
Reversed Interpretation
When the King of Pentacles comes up reversed in a reading, we can say:
- Someone who has lost his calm and is quick to anger. Someone who is financially unstable and doesn’t pursue his path diligently.
- Someone who shows such personality traits in the surrounding scenarios.
- Someone who is insensitive, crude, possessive and jealous.
- Someone who is miserly and dogmatic. He doesn’t trust anyone much.
- Presence of such a person / man in your life.
Thus, we can see how the Kings are the very mature and stable expression of personalities that represent the energies of their suit.
Your Turn…
Have you met these Kings in your life? What have been your experiences like? Any particular personality traits that remained stuck in your mind?
Or do you identify with one of these Kings yourself? Which one?
What did you think about these interpretations? Is there anything that I have missed out on?
Please do share your thoughts in the comments section below.
