Pulling the King of Swords in a yes or no reading can mean a variety of different things, so it’s important to understand what this card is telling you (and its backstory) if you want true insight.
This guide will tell you if the Kind of Swords is a yes or no, what it means when the card is reversed, and much more.
Table of Contents
King Of Swords: Yes Or No?
For yes or no readings, being presented with the King of Swords tarot card is generally considered a “maybe.”
Not all tarot cards can give you a cut-and-dried yes or no. This is especially true of the Minor Arcana. These cards have many layers and a depth of meaning that doesn’t really translate into a simple, one word reply.
Here’s why:
Take a look at the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith imagery of the King of Swords. It depicts a figure of authority, seated on a throne, with a sword in one hand. His expression is neutral. Even the sky and landscape around him are placid and balanced — there are no storm clouds gathering, the sky is equal parts blue and clouded, and the trees are upright and unwavering.
Next, consider who the King of Swords is. This is a mature figure with the full power and authority of the suit of Swords behind him. He wouldn’t be a ruler for very long if he didn’t have a good head on his shoulders. He lacks the youthful impulsiveness of the Page and the recklessness of the Knight.
The suit of Swords is also associated with the element of Air. This element is linked to the conscious mind, logic, intellect, and communication. The suit represents impartiality and reason, and the King is the ultimate wielder of these abilities.
Taking all of this together, it paints a picture of a royal figure who uses a fair, balanced, logical approach in his dealings. He attempts to behave with dignity and keeps a strong sense of ethics and impartiality. He maintains his neutrality and doesn’t let emotion cloud his judgment.
Unfortunately, that means he also can’t give you a definite answer to your question. When he appears in a “yes or no” tarot reading, it’s neutral or a maybe. That’s because the King of Swords embodies the ability to see all angles of a situation without favoring any particular outcome. He can see the good and bad and pros and cons of every eventuality, so he is not particularly aligned with one outcome or the other.
Since the King of Swords is so impartial, it might be in your best interest to look at the cards surrounding him for more information. They can help you figure out if his neutrality leans to one side or the other. If you’ve only drawn one tarot card, consider drawing one or two more so you gain more information.
Does A Reversed King Of Swords Mean Yes Or No?
A reversed King of Swords is a pretty strong no. And this no can even be a note of caution about the road that you’re headed down.
Sometimes, reversed tarot cards don’t really represent the inverse of their upright position. Sometimes, they do. In the case of the King of Swords, the King reversed becomes his shadow self. He’s still authoritative, just not someone you’d really want in a position of authority.
Consider all of the things that the upright King of Swords represents. He’s fair, ethical, impartial, and logical. He doesn’t let his emotions cloud his sense of reason and justice. Flip him on his head, and all of that goes out the window.
The King of Swords reversed is moody, unfair, controlling, and judgmental. Where the upright King is impartial, the reversed King is biased. The upright King is just, while the reversed King is arbitrary. See where this is going?
Now, imagine trying to get a fair answer from a person like that. The King of Swords upright may not be willing to fully commit himself to a yes or no, but the King of Swords reversed is a definite no. Drawing this tarot card could be because someone or something is deliberately blocking you.
This card can also be a warning that you’re heading down the wrong path. The King of Swords reversed is a mark of poor judgment, a lack of impartiality, and an inability or unwillingness to see your situation for what it really is. He can also represent a figure who is giving you bad advice, or even deliberately attempting to mislead you.
As with the King of Swords upright, it may be a good idea to draw another card or two in order to receive more context during a “yes or no” reading. If you think that it represents a mistake that you’re in danger of making, you might want to draw a card for advice on how to avoid this outcome.
Does King Of Swords Mean Yes Or No For Love?
In readings specifically about love, the King of Swords is just as impartial as ever. This card usually represents a maybe for love, not a full yes or no.
Since the suit of Swords and element of Air are associated with reason and logic, they’re not cards that commonly appear in readings about emotions. (For that kind of thing, you want the suit of Cups.) That doesn’t mean that the King of Swords card is a bad sign in a yes or no reading about love, he just isn’t a great one.
Part of the problem here is that the suit of Swords represents the things that foster good communication. The King of Swords is all about communicating your point directly and clearly, in a way that your partner (or prospective partner) can easily understand. That’s very important for a healthy relationship and should never be underestimated!
On the other hand, the King of Swords isn’t exactly passionate. He lacks the emotional openness of the King of Cups or the warmth and passion of the King of Wands, so this tarot card isn’t a great sign if you’re looking for a typical romantic connection. He’s a wonderful parental figure who gives excellent life advice, but he’s not exactly a romantic hero.
He can represent someone who is mature, authoritative, and dignified. This person is likely to be charming, witty, and a brilliant conversationalist, but possibly too emotionally distant at times.
Does A Reversed King Of Swords Mean Yes Or No For Love?
Reversed, the King of Swords is a firm no for love queries. Not only is it a no, it may even be a warning that you should back away from this situation.
When you reverse the suit of Swords, its strengths become inverted. Where this suit typically represents intelligence, fairness, impartiality, and effective communication, the reverse represents a situation that’s unfair, confusing, and suffering from a lack of clarity.
Sometimes, you might pull the King of Swords reversed in a “yes or no” reading if you’re experiencing strong emotions that are negatively impacting your ability to see your situation for what it is. The reversed King may also show up if someone’s using their intelligence and cunning for evil ends, like emotional manipulation or mental abuse.
In some cases, he may represent lowered standards, emotional unavailability, or one-sided relationships. Consider whether you really want to be involved in this situation
Example Questions
Now that you know what the Kind of Swords means for “yes or no” tarot readings, here are some questions you can ask to help you get clear answers.
Will I Get Together With My Crush?
The answer to this “yes or no” question is maybe (if the card is upright). It’s a good idea to make sure that you are genuinely attracted to this person and not just the idea of them. The King of Swords can represent a person who is very mature for their age, intellectual, and not into romantic displays.
But if the King of Swords is reversed then it’s doubtful. You may be attracted to this person, but that attraction might not be mutual. At worst, this person could use your affection for them to manipulate you.
Will I Meet Someone New?
Drawing the King of Swords is a “maybe” for this question. Your best bet is to try to meet people by engaging in intellectual pursuits. Try taking a class or joining a Meetup group based around something that you find mentally stimulating.
If the card is reversed, the answer to this yes or no question is “not right now.” You may be tempted to lower your standards in order to help you meet someone but be careful with this. Standards exist for a reason. If you lower yours, you may end up with someone who isn’t good for you.
Will My Partner And I Get married?
You might. Your partner may have explored the idea of marriage and decided that it doesn’t benefit you both. If this is something that you feel strongly about, it’s important to sit down and have a conversation. Explain your point of view clearly, and you may win them over to your side.
However, if you ask this question during a yes or no tarot reading and get the King of Swords, it doesn’t seem likely. This card can represent someone who’s emotionally cold or withholds affection to get you to do what they want you to do. If this is true, marriage isn’t going to make them change their behavior. Consider whether this is a situation that you want to stay in.
Closing Thoughts
Typically, the King of Swords is neither a yes or a no. It’s often a maybe. While that might not seem like the easiest answer, it actually encourages a great deal of self-reflection in order for you to find clarity.
If you’ve been presented with this card during a tarot reading and need some extra help understanding it, let us know!
