The Court Cards in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck

Today, the author Eleonore Radtberger will provide a general overview of the four Court Cards (King, Queen, Knight and Page) in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck.

The following extracts are taken from the author's book 'Decoding the Wisdom of Rider-Waite Tarot'. Further information about the book can be found in the notes.

The Court Cards

In the Rider-Waite Tarot, the four Court Cards (King, Queen, Knight and Page) are among the most interesting of the Minor Arcana, as well as being the most contradictory.

Traditionally, these cards represent individuals in the querent's environment, or they can act as significator cards. The significator represents the questioner and is chosen very specifically. For example, according to hair colour or age.

In newer methods of interpretation, the Court Cards are understood to represent the potential of the elements in question, or symbolise personified forces or the imagination. A Court Card could, for instance, provide an answer to the following questions: 'How do other people perceive me? How do I see myself? How would I like to be? How should I act in this particular situation?'

It is possible for both interpretations to be correct in one reading, as one does not necessarily exclude the other. Above all, it is important to trust your instincts, because that is how the Tarot speaks to us. If you are not very sure how to interpret one of the Court Cards, it is best to rely on your first instinct – it is usually correct. Of course, you can also decide in advance how you want to interpret the cards – this is certainly possible. It should also be remembered – not only with the Court Cards – that much of the interpretation is personal.

Everyone perceives the images differently, adding their own interpretation to the traditional one. This does not detract from the truthfulness of the readings, because the Tarot is dynamic in this respect. If someone has a bad feeling about a card that is generally considered favourable, they will be right and act accordingly. We are all part of the whole, so everything is included.

This applies in particular to the symbolism of the Book of Thoth – the Tarot.

The King of Swords

The first Court Card depicts a spiritual warrior sitting on a throne. Everything is a cool shade of blue, including the stone throne. The colours of the earth are depicted in warmer tones, with trees symbolising growth. The King of Swords looks directly at us, with a calm but somewhat stern gaze.

He wears a deep red scarf under his crown – he is no stranger to passion. However, here, thought and intellect prevail. With his right hand raised and holding a sword, he is ready to emphasise his rule. Here, the rigour of the spirit, justice, special wisdom, ultimate goodness, discernment and the power of reason are all depicted.

The king's feet rest on the earth, but his throne reaches up to heaven – that is his goal, too. He strives for perfection and expects the same from others. Clarity and order are important to him. ... End of excerpt.

The Queen of Swords

She turns her profile to us, and her pronounced chin suggests great strength of will. She also holds her sword in her right hand, supported by the backrest. Unlike the King of Swords, she raises her left hand in a challenging gesture rather than resting it on her thigh. Her crown consists of golden butterflies, symbols of the air.

Again, the background is clear and blue, fading into dense clouds towards the horizon. The Queen of Swords is just as commanding as her male counterpart. She is a woman of great authority and ability. She appears stern and is stern when appropriate. She could be a teacher, the patriarch of a large family, a scientist or an educator. She writes the rules and ensures they are followed.

However, she is surrounded by symbols of emotion, such as butterflies and a round portrait of an angel on the backrest of her throne facing the viewer. Her tawny hair reveals her passions, yet her bearing and robe suggest coolness, despite her coat being decorated with clouds. ... End of excerpt.

The Knight of Swords

The mere sight of this card is thrilling! A knight in full armour, with a grim expression, charges forward on a white horse. He holds his sword in his raised right hand, which is certainly where the attack was launched. This warrior seems the perfect crusader: determined, and riding into battle with his helmet waving in the air.

This card is all about getting things done, even if it means nailing things to heads. Someone is very angry and wants to settle things once and for all.

Trees leaning in the wrong direction can be seen in the background. This makes it clear that the impulsive fighter will have to contend with a strong headwind. Anyone who figuratively mounts the horse and rides to the battlefield must expect resistance. We have all been in this situation before, when we reach the point where we can no longer accept an untenable situation. It could be about anything: family disputes, intrigues between colleagues, defending personal freedom, or asserting yourself in contentious or deadlocked matters.

People may have spent a long time trying to find a peaceful solution and, in pursuit of this goal, tolerated too much. If a person denies themselves too much for the sake of peace, they will accept personal attacks or insolence. ... End of excerpt.

The Page of Swords

A young man stands on the ground, holding a sword with both hands – or is he clutching it? He looks more fearful than determined, and he is not wearing any armour. The wind is driving clouds across the sky and bending the trees, and the page's hair is fluttering in the storm. His despondent posture shows great uncertainty; it looks as if he is at the mercy of the elements. In a sense, he is, because he does not have mastery over them.

The way he holds the sword suggests that he is afraid of it and does not know how to use it properly. Without armour, he is in danger of being overwhelmed. Unlike the knight, he is at odds with himself. He has not yet made up his mind and is torn between extremes. He is unable to commit, even though he knows he should make a decision. Everything he does is characterised by a certain reluctance. He wants to withdraw, but is unable to do so in the long term. This is why he has not put on any armour yet. He is not ready to take on responsibility and shies away from the irrevocability that he fears. This is a dilemma that needs to be tackled. ... End of excerpt.

Would you like to find out more? Eleonore's book offers valuable guidance on using Rider-Waite Tarot cards. You can read some excerpts here:
– Using Tarot cards as a guide: Explore the wisdom of the Rider-Waite deck
– Mistakes when dealing with Tarot cards: The right way to use the Tarot
– How to interpret the hidden significance of Tarot cards: The Major Arcana
– Try swinging a pendulum. Communicate with your inner self
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Magician – The High Priestess – The Empress
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Emperor – The Hierophant – The Lovers
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Chariot – Justice – The Hermit
– Cards of the Major Arcana: Wheel of Fortune – Strength – The Hanged Man
– Cards of the Major Arcana: Death – Temperance – The Devil
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Tower – The Star – The Moon
– Cards of the Major Arcana: The Sun – Judgement – The World
– The Four Aces in the Minor Arcana of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck

© 'The Court Cards in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck': A series of essays by Eleonore Radtberger (translated by Izabel Comati), 08/2026. Image credit: Pressenet.