King of Wands in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
King of Wands Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Minor
Fire
Lio
The King of Wands is the card of mastery over fire, of noble ambition, of natural authority, of creative power fully assumed. It embodies a person – or an energy within you – who knows where he or she is going, who acts with passion, who shines with assurance. This is the visionary who makes things happen, the charismatic leader who leads by example. His message: you are in control. You know what you want. Dare to fully embody your power. This card invites you to take action with faith, to lead with integrity, and not to be afraid to inspire others. It also reminds us that true strength doesn’t need domination: it can be recognised by clarity of vision and the power of the heart. If the King of Wands appears in your reading, it’s time to stand up, take your place and shine.
RWS Tarot : Arcana King of Wands readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card King of Wands
In love, the King of Wands represents a strong, passionate, loyal and charismatic partner. He knows what he wants, and moves towards the other person with determination and assurance. As a couple, this card suggests a relationship in which trust and stability are born of a passionate but mature love. The King of Wands does not play: he builds, he commits himself fully while retaining his freedom. He protects, inspires and motivates. If you are single, this card may herald the arrival of a partner who possesses these qualities, or it may invite you to embody yourself in this role: to affirm your power of attraction, your clarity of desire, your ability to love with strength and nobility. But be careful not to try to dominate or control. This King loves hard, but respects the other person’s independence. He calls for a love that is true, wholehearted, but never possessive.
Professional / Work reading
with the card King of Wands
At work, the King of Wands is a card of visionary authority and natural, inspiring leadership. It symbolises the boss, entrepreneur, project manager or ambitious professional who leads others through passion, clarity of purpose and assertive presence. You may be at a turning point where you embody this role, or you may be supported by a figure who urges you to take flight. This card speaks of success through aligned action, intelligent strategy and ambition. The King of Wands does not act on impulse: he builds a long-term vision, inspiring rather than imposing. If you have a project, this card is a green light: go ahead with confidence, structure and courage. It also advises you to maintain a noble and fair stance: you are there to guide, not to dominate.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card King of Wands
In the financial sphere, the King of Wands heralds a period of mastery and material expansion. You manage your resources with confidence, make enlightened decisions, and are able to make your assets grow thanks to your vision and boldness. It can also represent a supportive financial authority: an investor, a mentor, a business leader, or even yourself in an assertive management role. This card is excellent for everything to do with entrepreneurship, bold but well thought-out investments and ambitious projects. It invites you to believe in your financial abilities, to set your sights higher and not be content with basic security. The King of Wands says to you, ‘You have what it takes to build something great – dare to think big, and act with determination.’
Family reading
with the card King of Wands
In the family sphere, the King of Wands is the figure of the pillar, the guide, the passionate protector. He represents a person (often a father, an uncle or a male role model) who plays a driving role in the cohesion and development of the household. He watches over, acts on and inspires. If you play this role, the card congratulates you on your ability to support your family while giving them their space. However, it urges you to avoid authoritarianism: the right authority is that which accompanies, not that which imposes. This card may also indicate a need to take your full place in the family, to assert your choices with confidence. It also evokes times when important decisions for the household need to be made, and when you are called upon to set an example. It carries within it the quiet strength of a person who knows how to rally people around a common project, without needing to raise your voice.
Spiritual reading
with the card King of Wands
On a spiritual level, the King of Wands is the guardian of the inner sacred fire, the one who has found his way, who follows it with conviction and who inspires others by his example. He symbolises an inner mastery of the spiritual fire, where passion no longer devours, but enlightens. You are at a time when you can take on your life mission, pass on your teachings, or guide others on their own path. This is a card of active wisdom, of faith embodied in action. It urges you to live your spirituality openly, boldly and consistently. It can also represent a strong and inspiring mentor, teacher or spiritual guide in your life. If you’re unsure of your path, this card says, “You already know. Now walk.” It invites you to shine without fear, to embrace the fire that burns within you and turn it into a light for others.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
King of Wands and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card King of Wands according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card King of Wands in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
