View Full Version : Symbols-King & Queen of Swords
Hi All,
Apart from the butterfly does anyone know the symbols for the
King & Queen of Swords?
THANKS :D
Seb
HudsonGray
13-05-2003, 21:27
The Queen of Swords is the ONLY one in full profile, have you noticed? All the other Kings/Queens are in full frontal or 3/4 view.
tarobones
03-12-2004, 15:10
Anybody know why the King of Swords is perched so regally right on the edge of a cliff? It has always intrigued me. BB, Michael
HudsonGray
03-12-2004, 21:18
Possibly as a caution or warning that he can take a real 'fall' if he does something wrong? Words can come suddenly & start arguments or a person can say something there's no coming back from (much like stepping off the edge of a cliff).
Birds are symbolic in all the Swords courts. So are clouds. These symbolize the air element. In both King and Queen pictures the sword is held upright. I don't see the King as being on a cliff. King Wands is much more on edge.
Both cards have windswept trees in the distance also.
Both cards have windswept trees in the distance also.
The trees in the knight and page of swords look windswept, those in the Queen too but to a lesser degree, but the trees in the King of Swords don't look windswept to me?
I would also note the winged kerub head on the Queen's throne. There is also I think the suggestion of one or possibly two figures on the throne above the Kings shoulder, and also the lunar crescents, waxing and waning at the top of the throne around the butterfly. I am looking at the line illustrations in the PKT so can't make it out clearly but it looks like the rim of the Kings crown is a winged kerub head reflecting that on the Queens throne. If so this may reflect the kabbalistic idea that the bride, malkuth, throne, shekinah is lifted up to become the crown of the king.
Kwaw
Birds are symbolic in all the Swords courts. So are clouds. These symbolize the air element. In both King and Queen pictures the sword is held upright. I don't see the King as being on a cliff. King Wands is much more on edge.Have you ever wondered about the ring The King of Swords is wearing?
Only one other, The King of Cups, is shown to be also wearing a ring...
And too, check out which hands they each have them on? How curious!
Both cards have windswept trees in the distance also.I agree with you, Emily ~ and so would the "windswept" trees.
The winds they may not be a'roaring now but sure an they do!
Anybody know why the King of Swords is perched so regally right on the edge of a cliff? It has always intrigued me. BB, Michael
High, windswept cliffs are part of elemental Air imagery.
seawomyn
07-12-2004, 14:21
The symbol that's interesting me is the crescent moon/horns. They are facing outward on the queen's throne and inward on the kings.
I was noticing that horned beasts or paired crescent moons are on all the king/queen cards. Interesing.
The symbol that's interesting me is the crescent moon/horns. They are facing outward on the queen's throne and inward on the king's.A waning crescent Moon looks like a C ( < )
and a waxing crescent a backwards C ( > )
On the King we see them paired ( < )( > )
which would give a New Moon in between
On the Queen we see them paired ( > )( < )
which would give a Full Moon in between
*
waning ( < ) NEW ( > ) waxing
waxing ( > ) FULL ( < ) waning
seawomyn
07-12-2004, 15:18
yes, I realize that. But what does anyone think about the horned/crescent moon on all the king queen cards and why the waning, waxing element which is not consistent between queen and king if we also view horns as crescent moons and crescent moons as horns. It's intriguing.
seawomyn
07-12-2004, 16:01
In looking at my last post, I realized that I was a little abrupt and many would appreciate your explanation of waning and waxing symbolism, Foulgar, sorry. But do you have any thoughts on the why?
We often find special details when we are open to them.
Each of the Court Cards does have an elemental theme,
with astrological associations. Throughout the Tarot we
can find a pattern of Moon and/or Sun correspondences.
If you think of The High Priestess as the embodiment of
the Moon, rather than the card actually called The Moon,
then you have to figure out which card is really the Sun.
And the best clue is, it's not the card that has that name.
I have noticed that the Knight and Page of Swords only have half a sword showing.
I have often wondered if this was intentional or just the way the printer put the picture on the card stock.
In the Christian religion a butterfly means resurection.
And is a symbol of Jesus Christ.
seawomyn
08-12-2004, 16:17
Hi Fulgour, Given my own feelings and thoughts about the tarot and the parallels I think your running, I am inclined to say The Fool. Interesting question.
seawomyn
08-12-2004, 16:20
Another thought along those lines. It has alway interested me that the moon card has the moon contained in the sun.
In the Christian religion a butterfly means resurection.
And is a symbol of Jesus Christ.
The butterfly is also a symbol of the soul, connecting with the swords as symbol of vau, ruach [wind, spirit, the divine son/sun].
Kwaw