King of Wands
A crowned king on a throne of lions and salamanders holds a flowering wand: visionary leadership, boldness, and fire mastered for a larger purpose.
Wands, King
Upright keywords
- leadership
- vision
- entrepreneurship
- honesty
- boldness
- inspiration
- decisiveness
Meaning when upright
The King of Wands sits on a throne decorated with lions and salamanders, holding a flowering wand, with a small salamander at his feet. He is fire fully mastered: a visionary leader who sees the big picture, makes bold decisions, and inspires others to follow. Waite calls his nature ardent, animated, impassioned, and noble, and says the card always signifies honesty, sometimes with news of an unexpected inheritance. As a person he is an entrepreneur, mentor, or natural leader; as a situation, he calls for confident direction and long-range vision.
On the card
- flowering wand held upright
- Creative vision and authority that remain alive and productive.
- lions on the throne back
- Courage, leadership, and the fire sign Leo; Waite's 'symbol of the lion' emblazoned behind him.
- salamanders biting their own tails
- The ouroboros: eternity, completion, and the endless renewal of creative fire.
- live salamander on the dais at his feet
- Fire's elemental spirit at his command; readiness to act and transform.
- flame-shaped crown over a red cap
- Waite's 'cap of maintenance beneath his crown': dignity of rule, with the flame-points marking mastery of Fire.
- cloak patterned with salamanders over a red robe
- A nature steeped in passion and the energy of the suit.
- profile gaze directed ahead
- Vision fixed on the future; the forward-thinking leader.
In Waite’s words
The physical and emotional nature to which this card is attributed is dark, ardent, lithe, animated, impassioned, noble. The King uplifts a flowering wand, and wears, like his three correspondences in the remaining suits, what is called a cap of maintenance beneath his crown. He connects with the symbol of the lion, which is emblazoned on the back of his throne.
- Divinatory meaning
Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally married, honest and conscientious. The card always signifies honesty, and may mean news concerning an unexpected heritage to fall in before very long.
- Reversed
Good, but severe; austere, yet tolerant.
- Additional meaning
Generally favourable; may signify a good marriage. Reversed: Advice that should be followed.
Correspondences
- Element
- Fire
- Astrology
- 20° Cancer – 20° Leo
- Golden Dawn title
- Prince of the Chariot of Fire
- Court element
- Air of Fire
- Number
- As a King, he represents outward mastery and authority: Fire's energy directed with vision and command, Air of Fire.
Court attributions follow the Golden Dawn, where the mounted Knight is Fire and the enthroned King is Air; some modern readers swap the two.
To reflect on
- What vision am I ready to lead, and who needs to be part of it?
- Where does my drive inspire others, and where does it steamroll them?
- How can I combine boldness with honesty in the decision in front of me?
In your readings
Hasn’t appeared in your readings yet.
Ask about this card
Marguerite, the traditionalist, answers from Waite’s text, what is drawn on the card and its correspondences. You can choose another reader in settings.