King of Coins

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

King of Coins from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck
King of Coins from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck

King of Coins is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana" Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games[1].

In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes[1][2].

[edit] Rider-Waite symbolism

  • A very distinct castle appears behind him. Indeed, he seems to be seated himself within the walls, which may testify to his ownership thereupon.
  • His seat seems more impressive than the queen's stony gray seat. It is the only black seat in all courts, and the heads decorating the top of the seat, bull heads according the PKT, have a metallic gold color to them, perhaps testifying to their composition.
  • His clothes are adorned with grapes.

[edit] Divinatory usage

The king of pentacles depicts a mature man of considerable earthly power, usually depicted as a diplomatic business-man with a lot of practical wisdom. The king of pentacles can be miserly at times. He has a taste for sensual delights and earthly gifts. Here is a man who has a social standing and is big on keeping up with the Joneses. On the downside, he can be a man of phenomenally huge ego, the one whom the querent daren't cross.

The card depicts a man who can help the querent grasp the social and practical knowledge that he needs to acquire wealth or respectability. As with the rest of the court cards, the appearance of this card may signify contact with a person of this high stature. It does not necessarily indicate material riches to the querant, unless this has been further supported by other cards.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Dummett, Michael (1980). The Game of Tarot. Gerald Duckworth and Company Ltd.. ISBN 0-7156-1014-7. 
  2. ^ Huson, Paul, (2004) Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient Roots to Modern Usage, Vermont: Destiny Books, ISBN 0-89281-190-0 Mystical Origins of the Tarot