Knight, Suit of WandsKnight of Wands tarot card meaning
Upright and reversedKnight of Wands in shortIn short
The Knight of Wands is the sudden departure. A knight in silver armour and a yellow tunic rides a rearing orange horse past the pyramids, a leafy wand raised. Full of fire and in a hurry, he is off on a journey.
- Adventure
- Haste
- Departure
Piece oneThe pyramids
Three golden pyramids stand in yellow sand behind the horse. Waite says the knight passes mounds or pyramids. He is far from home, crossing a hot, foreign land.
"He is passing mounds or pyramids."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe pyramids put him a long way from home. They mark a hot, foreign land, and the knight crosses it in a hurry. Small and low behind the rearing horse, they show how fast he's moving through the country. He has no time to stop and look at them.
Piece twoThe rearing horse
The horse rears, front legs high, mane curling like flames. Waite says its motion is a key to the rider: hasty, impatient, gone before the plan is done.
"The motion of the horse is a key to the character of its rider, and suggests the precipitate mood, or things connected therewith."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe horse is the knight's temper made visible. Waite says its motion is the key to the rider: hasty, impatient, off before the plan is done. Front legs high, mane like flames, it carries the fire of the suit. The plume on his helmet streams the same way.
Piece threeThe helmet and plume
He wears a silver helmet, a big red and orange plume streaming back like flames. Waite notes he is in armour and not on a warlike errand. Dressed for danger, off on an adventure.
"...although mailed is not on a warlike errand."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe plume turns his head into a flame. He's in armour, but Waite says his errand isn't war, so the helmet shows readiness more than threat. The streaming feathers echo the horse's mane and the rush of the whole card. Under the steel, his face stays calm.
Piece fourThe short wand
He holds up a short leafy wand like a torch. Waite describes him as if on a journey, armed only with this. It's enough for where he's going.
"He is shown as if upon a journey, armed with a short wand..."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe short wand is all he carries. No sword, no lance, only a leafy branch held up like a torch. Waite says he's armed with it on a journey. It suits the rest of the card: a light weapon for a quick rider on a rearing horse, crossing far country.
Colour, and where else it appearsEchoes
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The pyramids
Gold and amber sand: even the land is fire-coloured. The Page of Wands stands before orange pyramids too, looking up at his wand. The Knight gallops past them. The pyramids hold still in both cards while the figure in front changes from waiting to racing.
Also in -
The rearing horse
A burnt orange horse, the colour of desert and fire. The whole animal looks like a flame. The Six of Wands rides a white horse at walking pace through a crowd. The Knight of Swords charges on a white horse too, all speed, in cold colours. The Wands knight's horse takes the suit's own colour.
Also in -
The helmet and plume
Flame red on cool silver and pale sky: the fire sits on his head. The Page of Wands wears a single red feather on a soft hat. Death wears a red plume on black armour. The Knight's is the biggest of the three, as loud as his horse.
Also in -
The short wand
Red-brown wood, bright leaves and pale sky: living firewood. The Page of Wands holds a wand taller than himself and stands still. The King of Wands holds a tall one too, from his throne. The Knight's is short, light enough to carry at a gallop.
Also in
Colour notes are ours, read from the picture; Waite does not explain the colours.
Knight of WandsUpright
Departure and movement. Waite lists departure, absence, flight, emigration and change of residence. Travel, a move, or a quick exit from one situation into another.
The Knight brings energy, courage and a taste for adventure, and haste with them. Go, and keep your eyes open.
Knight of WandsReversed
Waite's words: rupture, division, interruption, discord. The journey is cut short, plans break, or a hasty move ends in conflict.
Impatience burns bridges, or restlessness has no direction. Pause before you leave, and finish what you started.
Yes or noYes, soon.
Yes, and fast. Check that you aren't rushing.
Knight of Wands in your lifeIn your life
Love
Passion, excitement, restlessness. A thrilling romance that may not settle.
Work
A move, a trip, a sudden change of job. Act boldly and check the details.
Money
Quick spending, often on travel or a move. Enjoy it and keep a budget.
Health
High energy and a risk of rushing. A card can't diagnose you; if something's wrong, see a doctor, and watch for injuries from haste.
Spirituality
A spiritual journey, sometimes a real trip. New places open something in you.
Advice
Go for it. Look before you leap.
As a person
Waite's dark young man, friendly. Bold, restless, charming, quick to act. Loves the road.
Past, present, future
Past: a sudden departure or move. Present: travel and change. Future: a journey or a new home.
Written by us, from Waite's meanings and the picture.
Symbols and correspondencesAt a glance
- Suit
- Wands
- Element
- Fire
- Golden Dawn
- Fire of Fire
- Court
- Knight
- Upright
- Departure
- Reversed
- Rupture
QuestionsCommon questions
Mostly yes. Energy, courage, movement. The warning is haste: Waite links the horse's motion to a precipitate mood.
Passion and excitement, often fast. It can also mean someone who leaves, or a love that won't stay in one place.
Yes, and soon. This knight moves fast.
Waite says the horse's motion is a key to the rider: hasty and impatient. Ours rears up with a mane like flames.
Waite's dark young man, friendly. Bold, restless, adventurous. Acts first, thinks later.
Waite shows a knight on a journey, armed with a short wand, in armour and going nowhere near a war. His horse's motion shows the rider: hasty and headlong.
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