Suit of swords
Encyclopedia
The Suit of Swords is a suit found in playing cards using the Italian
and Spanish
suits. It is also found in Latin Suited Tarot
Cards. It's equivalent to Spades in Anglo-American playing cards.
The suit represents the Second Estate (The Nobles)
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
suits. It is also found in Latin Suited Tarot
Tarot
The tarot |trionfi]] and later as tarocchi, tarock, and others) is a pack of cards , used from the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play a group of card games such as Italian tarocchini and French tarot...
Cards. It's equivalent to Spades in Anglo-American playing cards.
The suit represents the Second Estate (The Nobles)
Estates of the realm
The Estates of the realm were the broad social orders of the hierarchically conceived society, recognized in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period in Christian Europe; they are sometimes distinguished as the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and commoners, and are often referred to by...
.
Common divinatory meanings
Swords correspond to the element of Air, and as such signifies freedom but also quick change. The Swords suit also traditionally represented the military, which implies strength, power and authority, but also responsibility, violence and suffering.- Ace of SwordsAce of SwordsAce of Swords is the first of the suite of Swords. This card indicates decisive ability and cutting through confusion, taking a radical decision or standpoint and the ability to see through deception, and expose it....
: The Reaver. Indicates decisive ability. Cutting through confusion. Taking a radical decision or standpoint. The ability to see through deception, and expose it. - Two of SwordsTwo of SwordsTwo of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card.Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games.In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes....
: The Choice. The two of swords indicates doubt over decisions. A sense of powerlessness and apathy giving way to fear. If the other cards in the spread are favourable, then the Two of Swords can indicate lack of bias and even mindedness. - Three of SwordsThree of SwordsThree of Swords is the third card of the suite of swords.-Interpretation:This card depicts a pure piercing sorrow of the mind. The sorrow must be felt and experienced for closure and relief to come. Generally speaking, it is a negative card and often refers to loss....
: The Wound. This card represents the aspect of the mind which is overly critical, especially of itself. The perverse impulse to dissect a problem beyond the point of usefulness. The three swords are often depicted piercing a bleeding heart. The swords symbolise the intellect, and the heart, the emotions which always suffer under this treatment. - Four of SwordsFour of SwordsFour of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card.Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games.In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes....
: The Effigy. The four of swords symbolises avoidance. Setting problems to the side, (the swords on the wall), while one prays for deliverance. This card can also represent surrender, or in some cases, pacifism. - Five of SwordsFive of SwordsFive of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card.Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games.In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes....
: The Traitor. This card symbolises victory by betrayal. The emptiness which descends after a harsh struggle. The alienation of others through belligerence. - Six of SwordsSix of SwordsSix of Swords is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana"Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games....
: The Boatman. A dangerous journey. Readers do not always agree on the alignment of this card. It can indicate a doomed endeavour, or conversely, moving out of troubled waters. It also indicates responsibility for others. - Seven of SwordsSeven of SwordsSeven of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card.Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games.In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes....
: The Thief. This card represents covert activities. The attempt to get away with too much, and being compromised as a result. If the reading is favourable, the card may represent making sacrifices to move ahead. Simplifying. - Eight of SwordsEight of SwordsEight of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card.Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games.In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes....
: The Prisoner. Feeling trapped and oppressed by others, and powerless to change. Often the condition is self imposed, but the cause is attributed to external influences. This card can also indicate the stubborn adherence to an ideal. - Nine of SwordsNine of SwordsThe Nine of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card, also known as the Lord of Cruelty. In many countries around Europe it is used as a game card. This card has the numerical value of nine....
: Terror, the Nightmare. Tarot readers do not generally like to categorise cards as "bad", or "good" but The Nine of Swords is probably the most dreaded card in the deck, however it can indicate the process of letting go, grief, and in combination with healing cards like The Queen of Wands, it is highly beneficial. - Ten of SwordsTen of SwordsTen of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card.Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games.In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes....
: The Corpse. The nightmare in The Nine of Swords comes to an end in The Ten. There may be exhaustion, and the result may not be ideal but the ordeal is over and the truth has been outed. The Ten of Swords can also indicate the end of a repetitious cycle. Divorce. - Page of SwordsPage of SwordsPage of Swords is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana"Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games....
: The Spy. The ability to observe others keenly, while concealing one's own nature. The talent for keeping secrets. Keeping one's head in the face of danger. The ability to endure suspense. - Knight of SwordsKnight of SwordsKnight of Swords is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana".Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games....
: The Berserker. Wrath. Impatience. Fanaticism. Blind addiction to action as opposed to thought. Also may indicate initiative and courage. - Queen of SwordsQueen of SwordsThe Queen of Swords is a court card in the Suit of Swords, part of the Minor Arcana set of the Tarot.Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games....
: The Widow, or necromancer. This card symbolises independence, at its best. Power, intelligence, tactical thinking. The ability to streamline a problem, and find the solution without fuss. At worst, The Queen of Swords can represent isolation, depression and cruelty. - King of SwordsKing of SwordsKing of Swords is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana"Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games....
: The Warlord. Discipline with passion. Power and insight. Can symbolise tyranny.
Alternate Decks
- In French-language decks, the suit is called Epees ("Swords"). The picture cards are Valet (Page), Chevalier (Horseman or Knight), Reine (Queen), and Roi (King). It was later replaced by the suit of Spades.
- In German-language decks the suit is represented by Blätter ("Leaves"). It is probably based on the pun that the words for "sword blade" and "leaf" are the same in German.
- In Swiss decks the suit is represented by Schilten ("Shields"). It is probably derived from the southern German Hofämterspiel ("Householder's Deck") (c.1450s), which used the shields of Imperial Germany, France, Bohemia, and Hungary as suits.