King of Clubs in Cartomancy: Meaning and Combinations

Presentation of the card

The king of clubs closes the royal figures of the black suits. In the Parisian portraits of the 19th century he is named Alexandre, after Alexander the Great. As with the other kings, this name is a late costume: what matters in cartomancy is the role.

The king of clubs is often the card beginners appreciate most, since his reading is rarely ambiguous: he is the figure of support.

Traditional meaning

The king of clubs is traditionally a loyal man, upright, generous, a wise counsellor. He is read as a trustworthy friend, a relative, a mentor, a legal or financial adviser, someone who keeps their word.

In older manuals he is “brown-haired”, a dated colour convention. Today one reads in him a temperament: loyalty, firmness without harshness, a sense of honour.

Nuances and differences between authors

Authors differ little on his meaning, but more on its limits. Some stress his “wise” and reassuring side; others point to a certain moral rigidity or a taste for authority. He may also represent yourself: your share of loyalty, your sense of commitment.

Like all the court figures, he tells you nothing about a real person: he describes a type of attitude. If someone around you comes to mind, check your assumptions with them rather than relying on the card.

Day to day, at work, in love

• Daily life: a trustworthy friend, a relative who keeps their promises, a discreet support.
• Work: a mentor, a loyal superior, a trusted adviser, a steady partner.
• Love: a faithful and committed partner, without excess of demonstration.
• Self: the part of you that keeps its commitments.

Common combinations

These pointers should be checked against the real situation.

An example reading

Question: “Who can I count on for this project?”. Spread: king of clubs – eight of diamonds – nine of clubs. Possible reading: a reliable man (king of clubs), steps to plan (eight of diamonds), a plausible success if one sticks to it (nine of clubs). One can also read: “I can count on myself”. Nothing is guaranteed.

Kinship with tarot and Lenormand

The King of Wands, King of Wands, is an energetic sovereign who leads the others. The clubs = Wands correspondence emphasises energy and leadership; the cartomantic king of clubs stresses loyalty instead.

In Lenormand, the king of clubs corresponds to The Clouds (card 6), a card of uncertainty and fog. The contrast with the clarity of the king of clubs is striking: the two systems do not overlap.

A reflection exercise

List the people you would turn to in case of difficulty. For each, note the quality that justifies your trust. Draw the king of clubs and ask yourself whether you in turn offer that quality to someone. The exercise is one of clear-sightedness.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Cartomancy with a standard deck of playing cards.