Deck shown is the Rider Waite Smith Tarot published by US Games. Photo by Magenta
Everyone has their own way of reading the cards, so our way is not the only way to interpret the court cards in Tarot. In this article we explained that interpreting the minor arcana in Tarot is centred on the suit and numbers. So let’s tie these two things together by looking at the suits of the court cards in a bit more detail.
Getting started with Court Cards
Once upon a time, a common interpretation of court cards was that they represented people. Pages were thought to be young people. Kings were always a male figure in a querant’s life and so on. It’s not unfair to say that the relative characteristics of the court cards, when read as people, are prescriptive and not in the least diverse. This means if a strict interpretation of the court cards as people was relied upon, they’d only represent White Europeans and they’d lack female representation across the age and leadership ranges.
These days, thankfully, there is far less emphasis on interpreting court cards as people. Instead, the court cards are simply read like any other card and by this we mean, we look at the role of the card’s character as they’d appear in a Royal Court and we look at the suit. By putting these things together, we get a broad interpretation.
It’s also worth pointing out that just like the rest of the minor arcana, the artwork will have a role to play in interpreting the court cards. Each one of the court cards are drawn differently, each King is doing something different and so is each Knight and so on. Looking at all of these aspects means we can interpret the court cards in a more holistic way.
So how do we interpret the court cards? Let’s explain. For ease of reference, we will be actively describing the art in Rider Waite Smith deck as a basis for interpreting the court cards. But you can extrapolate the method here for any other deck.
How to Interpret the Page Cards
The role of a page in the Royal Court was to act as a messenger. They were also learning about life, about their place in the world and beginning their career in the Royal Court. So thinking about pages and the role they play, one way to interpret these court cards is that the pages are about communication, about learning or being at the start of something.
Page of Wands
Wands cards are associated with ideas, creativity, action and self expression through enterprise. When we put the role of a page together with the interpretation of the suit, we could arrive at an interpretation such as communicating ideas, a new idea or learning or doing something creative.
Looking at the artwork, we see this page is just standing still. If we build that into the interpretation, this suggests that these new ideas might lack direction or a new creative venture hasn’t quite got off the blocks.
Page of Cups
Cups cards are associated with emotions, love, other people and the interplay between relationships. When we put the role of a page together with the interpretation of the suit, we could arrive at an interpretation such as communication in relationships or inexperience with a new relationship or with emotions.
The artwork suggests that this page is holding the cup with a random small fish inside. This page is just about ready for anything, if not a little playful. If we build that into the interpretation, this suggests that these new relationships could be exciting and fun or that communication in relationships might not be taken seriously.
Page of Swords
The Swords are cards associated with intellect, logic and seeing things as they really are. As the page card is oftentimes symbolic of communication, an interpretation of this card could be related to intellectual communication, presenting logical arguments, or the beginnings of learning a new skill.
The page in this card is swinging around his sword all over the place. Perhaps in practice. By building the artwork into the interpretation, it may indicate communication is a bit hit and miss or it may be an invitation to practise a new approach or way of thinking.
Page of Pentacles
The Pentacles are cards associated with material things, surroundings, wellbeing and all that can be gained. If we put this interpretation alongside the role of the page this card could mean the start of a new project, communication in the home, learning a new skill such as an apprenticeship or a new course.
Here the page in this card appears to be studying his coin, as if attempting to understand it. By building the artwork into the interpretation, it may indicate a project is only just starting to manifest rewards, or that small gains have been had in terms of communication or work.
How to Interpret the Knight Cards
The role of the Knight in the Royal Court was to be sent off in all directions across the land, carrying out various actions and orders on behalf of the court. So thinking about knights, and the role they play, one way to interpret these court cards is that they are about taking action and undertaking a certain amount of effort to achieve things.
Knight of Wands
As Wands cards are associated with ideas, creativity, action and self expression through enterprise. When we put the role of a Knight together with the interpretation of the suit, this card could be about putting ideas into action and stepping up the effort.
Looking at the artwork, we see the Knight and his horse are just about to go charging off. If we build that into the interpretation, this suggests that these new ideas need strong motivation or a new creative venture needs a burst of effort or energy.
Knight of Cups
The Cups are cards associated with emotions, love, other people and the interplay between relationships. When we put the role of a Knight together with the interpretation of the suit, this suggests that some effort or action is required in a relationship, that there is a certain amount of emotional effort or emotions feel like an effort.
The artwork suggests that this Knight is taking his time and the horse is almost gracefully moving forwards. If we build that into the interpretation, this suggests that some of these relationships or emotions might require a bit of grace, slow pace, charm or romance to move forwards.
Knight of Swords
As Swords cards are associated with intellect, logic and seeing things as they really are, an interpretation of this card could be related to intellectual actions and setting your mind on moving forwards.
The Knight in this card is charging the horse at full speed so by building the artwork into the interpretation, it may indicate moving at pace or an abundance of intellectual energy.
Knight of Pentacles
The Pentacles are cards associated with material things, surroundings, wellbeing and all that can be gained. If we put this interpretation alongside the role of the Knight, this card could mean actions required on a project, personal energy levels or the effort required to gain something.
Here the page in the Knight appears to be at a stand still. As if complemplating the next move. By building the artwork into the interpretation, it may indicate a project is at a bit of a stand still or needs a pause or perhaps energy levels are in decline somewhat on a piece of work.
How to Interpret the Queen Cards
The Queens were the shadow leaders in the Royal Court, if they weren’t leading themselves, in the absence of the King. So these next two court cards are all about leadership. The differences in gender between Queens and Kings are really about the style of leadership. Queens represent the feminine side, so this is all about soft skills in leadership and it may also mean solo leading and leading quietly in the background, acting as the solid foundation.
Queen of Wands
The Wands cards are associated with ideas, creativity, action and self expression through enterprise. When we put the role of a Queen together with the interpretation of the suit, this card is often about coming up with the ideas, taking personal ownership on a creative pursuit and solo entrepreneurship.
Looking at the artwork of the Queen of Wands she is looking up and looking around, engaging with her subjects. Building that into the interpretation of the suit, this suggests taking ownership head on for creative ideas, being unafraid and determined on a solo project.
Queen of Cups
We know Cups cards are associated with emotions, love, other people and the interplay between relationships. When we put the role of the Queen together with the interpretation of the suit, potential interpretations could be about empathic guidance in relationships, taking emotional or intuitive decisions.
This Queen is sitting quietly alone, watching her cup in her hands. The artwork suggests that she is quietly reflective, and away from the limelight. If we build that into the interpretation, this suggests that relationships may be looking for genteel, soft support or taking ownership of emotions is required.
Queen of Swords
Swords cards are associated with intellect, logic and seeing things as they really are. As the Queen card is symbolic of leadership, an interpretation of this card could be related to intellectual leadership and cutting through the noise to see things as they really are.
The Queen in this card has turned her throne to look to the left. Perhaps, engaging directly with an individual one on one. By building the artwork into the interpretation, it may indicate straight talking and thinking very intellectually will be the solid foundation or owning the problem head on is what is required.
Queen of Pentacles
The Pentacles are cards associated with material things, surroundings, wellbeing and all that can be gained. If we put this interpretation alongside the role of a Queen, this card could mean leading on a new project, being financially independent, teaching others or leading in terms of wellbeing.
In this card the Queen appears to be head down studying her coin, as if in gratitude for all she has achieved. By building the artwork into the interpretation, it may indicate efforts of a project are manifesting rewards, owning and being responsible for one’s own success.
How to Interpret the King Cards
The Kings of the Royal Court were all about leading their people, so this leadership role may involve other personalities or being part of a team or perhaps this is an aspect of your personality, so asking how you work with others. Kings also represent masculine leadership qualities, such as assertiveness and forthrightness.
King of Wands
We know Wands cards are associated with ideas, creativity, action and self expression through enterprise. When we put the role of the King together with the interpretation of the suit, this card could be about directing others into action, mentoring others, facilitating the creative ideas of the group.
Looking at the artwork, we see the King of Wands appears to be just about to rise out of the throne. If we build that into the interpretation this suggests some hands-on leadership on a creative venture or having created the vision, being on the edge of your seat to take the next step.
King of Cups
Cups cards associated with emotions, love, other people and the interplay between relationships. When we put the role of a King together with the interpretation of the suit, this suggests some mastery in navigating relationships or achieving ownership over one’s own emotions.
This King is taking his time to listen to his subjects. He is looking around, open and approachable. If we build that into the interpretation, this suggests the role of a counsellor or a mentor, and being open to guidance from others.
King of Swords
The Swords cards are associated with intellect, logic and seeing things as they really are, when coupled with the role of the King, an interpretation of this card could be related to intellectual leadership and taking responsibility for issues and working with others to resolve problems.
The artwork in this card is that of a King facing his subjects, holding their attention and he stands ready to answer any questions. His sword raised as if to defend anyone who needs it. Adding this to the interpretation may indicate a level of subject matter authority or expertise, an ability to lead and command a certain amount of respect in doing so.
King of Pentacles
Pentacles are the cards primarily associated with material things, surroundings, wellbeing and all that can be gained. If we put this interpretation alongside the role of the King, this card could mean ambition being realised, successful projects may now require a team to help, financial abundance and mentoring others.
In this card the King appears to be surrounded by the fruits of his hard work, he looks out at his subjects and appears to share in the wealth. By building the artwork into the interpretation, it may indicate teamwork creating successful outcomes, owning one’s own success and being in a position to generate success from others.
How to interpret court cards in any spread
So you see by not falling into the trap of interpreting court cards as people, these simple interpretations can apply in any spread and any position. By looking at the suit we get the ballpark situation and role the character has in a Royal Court acts as the next layer, much like when reading the other numbered suits cards. By really concentrating on these aspects, and not worrying about court cards as people we know, we can interpret the court cards in a much more meaningful way.
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