King, Suit of WandsKing of Wands tarot card meaning
Upright and reversedKing of Wands in shortIn short
The King of Wands is the honest leader. A king in a red robe and a spotted golden cloak sits on his throne, a flowering wand in his hand, a lion on the banner behind him. Noble, passionate, always honest.
- Leadership
- Vision
- Honesty
Piece oneThe lion
A tall orange banner rises behind him, with black figures: a lion and curling salamander shapes. Waite says the King connects with the lion, emblazoned on the back of his throne.
"He connects with the symbol of the lion, which is emblazoned on the back of his throne."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe lion is his sign of rule. It's raised behind him on the banner, so his authority hangs at his back. Waite says he connects with the lion. The salamanders curling beside it bring fire into the same banner, and the small live salamander at his feet repeats them.
Piece twoThe crown and cap
The king looks ahead in profile, a red cap under his gold crown. Waite calls it a cap of maintenance, worn by all four minor kings.
"...wears, like his three correspondences in the remaining suits, what is called a cap of maintenance beneath his crown."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe cap under the crown is a mark of rank, and Waite says all four minor kings wear one. The crown sits on top of it, gold on red. With the lion behind and the wand in hand, it completes a settled ruler. He looks ahead in profile, toward the wand.
Piece threeThe flowering wand
He holds a tall wand with green leaves sprouting from it. Waite says the King uplifts a flowering wand. The Ace of Wands offers the same living branch from a cloud; here a ruler holds it.
"The King uplifts a flowering wand..."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe wand shows his power still grows. Seated on his throne, he holds a branch that sprouts fresh leaves. Waite calls it a flowering wand. It stands upright beside the throne, and the lion behind him and the salamander below say what kind of fire it carries.
Piece fourThe salamander
A small black salamander with yellow spots crawls on the step. Waite's text leaves it out. Ours makes it the only other living creature, a quick spark at the foot of a calm throne.
Why it is hereThe salamander is the fire of the banner come alive. The curling shapes behind him turn into one small creature on the step, quick against the still throne. Our picture adds it where Waite's text doesn't mention it. It ties the calm king to the restless energy of his suit.
Colour, and where else it appearsEchoes
-
The lion
Black on orange, strong and plain like the king. The Queen of Wands has two red lions on her own orange banner. In Strength a live lion stands under a woman's hands. The King's lion is a flat black shape, a sign on cloth, as settled as the man in front of it.
Also in -
The crown and cap
Gold on red: rank and fire. The Emperor wears a gold crown and sits in deep red, on a grey stone throne with rams' heads. The King of Pentacles wears a red hood under his crown, among vines and bulls. The Wands king pairs the cap with a warm, open sky and an orange banner.
Also in -
The flowering wand
Dark red-brown wood and small green leaves: old power, still growing. The Ace of Wands offers the same living branch from a cloud. The Queen of Wands holds hers on a throne of her own. Here the gift from the Ace has a ruler's hand around it.
Also in -
The salamander
Black with yellow spots: his gold cloak's dots in reverse. The Queen of Wands keeps a black cat at her feet in the same place. Curling black shapes like salamanders cover the yellow tunics of the Page of Wands and the Knight of Wands. Each Wands court card carries a fire creature somewhere.
Colour notes are ours, read from the picture; Waite does not explain the colours.
King of WandsUpright
Honest, warm leadership. Waite describes a nature dark, ardent, lithe, animated, impassioned and noble. The card, he says, always signifies honesty.
Waite adds news of an unexpected inheritance, coming before long. Lead with vision and honesty, and let others follow your fire.
King of WandsReversed
Waite's words: good, but severe; austere, yet tolerant. Still a good man, harder and stricter now.
A leader demands too much, or the fire turns into impatience. Keep your standards high and your temper low.
Yes or noYes.
Yes, especially if you take the lead.
King of Wands in your lifeIn your life
Love
Waite calls him generally married. A loyal, passionate partner who keeps his word.
Work
Leadership and vision. Take charge, set the direction, be honest with your team.
Money
Waite mentions news of an unexpected inheritance. Bold, honest decisions pay off.
Health
Strong vitality. A card can't diagnose you; if something's wrong, see a doctor, and let yourself rest.
Spirituality
A clear vision of your direction. Lead by example and live your values.
Advice
Take the lead and be honest. People will follow.
As a person
Waite's dark man: friendly, a countryman, generally married, honest, conscientious. A natural leader with a warm heart.
Past, present, future
Past: a strong leader, or a time you took charge. Present: vision and honesty. Future: success, and maybe news of an unexpected inheritance.
Written by us, from Waite's meanings and the picture.
Symbols and correspondencesAt a glance
- Suit
- Wands
- Element
- Fire
- Golden Dawn
- Air of Fire
- Court
- King
- Upright
- Honesty
- Reversed
- Severe
QuestionsCommon questions
Yes. Waite says it always signifies honesty. Reversed, the King is still good, and severe.
A loyal, honest, passionate partner. Waite calls him generally married.
Yes, especially if you take the lead.
Waite says the King connects with the lion, emblazoned on the back of his throne. Ours is a black lion on a tall orange banner.
Waite's dark man: friendly, a countryman, generally married, honest, conscientious. A warm, noble leader.
Waite gives the King a dark, ardent, passionate and noble nature. He lifts a flowering wand, and the card always means honesty.
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911Card meanings and quotes: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911. Element, decan and sephira: the Golden Dawn's Book T. Colours, life situations, yes or no and questions: written by us, from Waite's meanings and the picture.
All 14 Wands