Tarot Kings
The Kings of the tarot are the figureheads of their suit, and each represents the dominant characteristics of that suit to the best of his abilities. They demonstrate leadership, mastery, and competence. The King has reached the top of his profession, vocation, skill, or calling. He is a consummate professional and is always confident and always at ease.
It's important to remember that in tarot, each card is a symbol of something connected to the human condition, so don't get bogged down in 'he' and 'her.' In my experience, a male card usually represents a man, but for many tarot readers, a King can be male or female... and that's fine. It doesn't mean that I think that men are superior to women in any way. A Queen can rule just as well. Symbols, right?
Description
In the traditional Rider-Waite Tarot, the King of Wands sits angled to the right with his face in full profile. He wears a crown with flame-like decoration. In his right hand, he holds a sprouting branch or staff. His empty left hand rests easily. He wears a soft green cape over a yellow cloak embroidered with salamanders. It looks as though the cloak is lined with fur. His robe is a brilliant orange, and his shoes are a soft green like his cape. The King's throne is decorated with salamanders and lions, and a little salamander walks unseen near his feet. The sky is a clear blue.
Symbol | Meaning | Correspondences |
Staff | Creative life force | Fire |
Orange | Uninhibited, rejuvenating, optimistic | Summer |
Salamander | Cleansing by fire | South |
Lion | Strength, personal power | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius |
Blue sky | No limits | Sun, Mars |
Green shoes | Rooted in nature | ㅤ |
In a Reading
When the King of Wands appears in a reading, it may well represent a real person who has a lot of influence or presence in the querent's situation. He could be the querent themselves or someone else. Occasionally, he might mean that the querent needs to take on some of the characteristics or qualities of this card. If it is a real person, then he will have a great deal of authority and is definitely a card to take notice of.
Characteristics
This King is not given to a great deal of introspection. He sees himself in the role of decision-maker, problem-solver, and leader. He's not afraid to take on challenges and, indeed, relishes the opportunity to wrestle with a seemingly overwhelming situation. Although not a show-off, he does take a lot of satisfaction in his victories. He is a doer, not a thinker. There is nothing that cannot be dealt with by taking action. He can't sit back and observe; he must have his hands in the mix. He has such confidence in his own abilities that all around him tend to agree.
He has vision rather than imagination. He knows what he wants, and he knows how to get it. There's no hesitation, no indecision. He sees it in his mind; it's a done deal. He doesn't change himself to match his world. Instead, he changes the world to fit in with his vision.
He is good with people and recognizes that not everyone is like him. He encourages and supports. He persuades people that they can do better, achieve more and become whatever they want. He has a magnetic personality and attracts those who share his worldview. In the movies, he is the superhero.
Even the best King of Wands type is subject to fits of anger. He tends to react quickly in a burst of irritation that is over as quickly as it begins. His close friends and family are used to this and take no notice. They know there is never any ill-intent; the temper is simply a symptom of frustration.
Reversed
The reversed King of Wands is a difficult character. He can be aggressive, constantly irritable, rude, insensitive, and insufferably arrogant. He imposes his will over others. He is domineering rather than encouraging. He keeps people in a constant state of nervousness with his tendency to uncontrollable rage. He can be as nice as pie, but only to get what he wants. He uses people to achieve his goals and has no sympathy or empathy whatsoever.
Love and Relationships
The King of Wands has a passionate nature, and this is clearly demonstrated in his romantic relationships. He is a loyal husband—once he is married. If he is single, then his entanglements are famous. He is well aware of his effect on women and uses it to his advantage. When he meets his match in love, he is caught—hook, line, and sinker. His wife is probably the person with the most influence over him.
If you meet and fall in love with a King of Wands, then you must be prepared to have your heartbroken. Unless you are The One, he will treat you like all the others, giving you his undivided attention until the affair becomes stale. If, however, there is ongoing passion and chemistry between you, you will keep his interest indefinitely. He does like his partners to surprise him; predictability is death to a relationship with this King.
As a friend, you won't find better. He is fiercely protective of his friends, loves a good joke, but can be deadly serious when necessary.
He is a good father, although it's possible for him to be somewhat distant at times. He prefers to bring his children up by setting a good example. He is tolerant and easy-going with younger children, less so with older ones, expecting them to have the same high standards as his own.
Money and Careers
The King of Wands is usually very career-oriented. He is the entrepreneurial type, always looking for new opportunities and ways to improve his business. He's not afraid of taking risks... sometimes, he oversteps himself and fails spectacularly. However, he'll pick himself up and start again. This type can make and lose fortunes several times in their lives.
He's not comfortable being a subordinate and will constantly work to better his position. As an employee, he needs to feel free to develop his vision, any attempt to hold him back will result in disaster.
The accumulation of money is not an end in itself. He enjoys having money but is not motivated by it unless for a good cause. It's the victory he seeks. The conquest, the triumph.
However, he attracts money easily—probably because he is known to be inherently trustworthy. The King of Wands is generous to a fault; he would give away his last penny if it would help someone else.
Note: Originally published by the author at HubPages.
Leave a Comment
Back to Articles
You can support Tarot Study (and help me make more free content) by clicking on the Ko-fi link and ‘buying me a coffee’.
© Bev Godfrey 2025. All rights reserved.