Over the last couple weeks we’ve been looking at the meanings of the jacks and queens in playing card divination. This week we’re wrapping up our discussion of the court cards with the kings.
Like all the court cards, the kings can represent people, typically men1 who embody the characteristics of their respective suits. To make things more complex, several of the kings also have non-person meanings associated with them, similar to our interpretations of the pip cards.
King of Diamonds: The Lord of Power – “Monarch”
The King of Diamonds is a powerful man. He might be wealthy, charismatic, or invested with some special authority in relation to the situation in question. In readings related to occult matters, this might indicate an accomplished magician. The social circles of power and privilege orbit around people like the King of Diamonds. The King of Diamonds rules over an empire, either literally or figuratively.
Because of the association with established power, the King of Diamonds can sometimes come up to signify institutions, rather than people. This is most common with government or financial institutions: boards, banks, hedge funds, etc. Anything where the few are directing the course of the many might fall in scope here.
The King of Diamonds is also associated with legal matters – but specifically civil law, rather than criminal. Lawsuits, contract litigation, or property disputes all might show up here.
King of Clubs: The Lord of Labor – “Leader”
Where the King of Diamonds rules on authority, the King of Clubs rules on competence. Like the King of Diamonds, this card also represents a powerful man in a position of leadership, but it is leadership derived from the wise judgement of long experience. The King of Clubs has been around long enough to see how the world works, and to know how to navigate it with prudence and foresight.
This might be the patriarch of a family, whom everyone goes to for his sound advice. It might be a judge, presiding over complex legal cases. It might be a general, who earned his position through long and distinguished service.
In each case, there is an element of discernment present with the King of Clubs. Practical expertise and long experience combine, to form a strong intuition. This enables intricate situations to be navigated swiftly and successfully. The King of Clubs holds his position of leadership on his own merits.
King of Hearts: The Lord of Intimacy – “Confidant”
We’ve already touched on some of the possible interpretations of the King of Hearts in our discussion of the queen. Hutcheson attributes it as meaning either “self” (in cases where the querent is male) or “soulmate” (in cases where the querent is female). I have a number of issues with this, which we already discussed with the Queen of Hearts.
Instead I prefer to interpret the King of Hearts in a similar way to the other kings. This card represents a sensitive and empathetic man, with a high degree of emotional intelligence. He might be a man you are strongly attracted to, physically or emotionally. Perhaps someone with whom you feel a strong sense of connection or kinship. Someone you could form, or already have formed, a deep relationship with.
For those in a loving romantic relationship with a man, the King of Hearts might symbolize their existing romantic partner. But not a perfect soulmate you are destined to be with.
King of Spades: The Lord of Strife – “Kingpin”
The King of Spades is a nemesis. He’s a man in a position of power or influence, and one whose interactions with you are entirely governed by malice. This might be a vindictive boss, an abusive ex, or the leader of a criminal gang. In every case, he’s a man who instigates trouble for you.
The trouble caused by the King of Spades is generally more straightforward than that caused by the queen. Where the Queen of Spades is likely to poison your social circle against you behind your back, the king is more likely to show up unannounced and try to kick your teeth in. There’s a directness, of anger or violence, that characterizes the King of Spades. He’s not subtle, because he doesn’t need to be. He is – or thinks he is – untouchable.
Alternatively, the King of Spades can also refer to legal matters. In this sense, the King of Spades refers specifically to criminal cases (just as the King of Diamonds covered civil matters). Often these are criminal cases in which you are the target of the accusations or charges – whether those charges are grounded in truth or not.
Regardless of whether it comes up representing people or situations, the King of Spades warns you to watch not just your back, but your front as well.
- Or people who identify or present as men. ↩︎
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