(The above image is a copy of The Knight of Wands card in a standard Rider-Waite Tarot deck. The 7 symbols pointed out above are explained below.)
Card Description
The Knight of Wands leaps into the card in pursuit of some magnificent vision. He rides a red horse that resembles the element of fire and clings to a wand that guides the way. The Knight's face is stern, suggesting his command of the dynamic situation. When this card appears in your deck, take it and run to manifest your ideas.
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For more information about The Knight of Wands card, check out A. E. Waite’s description here.
Point 1 – KNIGHT
Upon first glance, the image of the Knight of Wands appears chaotic due to the horse leaping in the air. On closer inspection, however, the rider is in complete control of the situation. He holds onto the reins tightly and looks forward with a stern face. Like the calmness in the Page of Wands, the mastery of the Knight of Wands reveals the spiritual maturity in the card.
Point 2 – HORSE
As was stated before, the Wands suit is associated with the element of fire. The horse in the Knight of Wands is illustrative of that element due to its reddish color and wild demeanor. The fact that the knight can ride the horse shows that he is in command of fire, similar to the salamanders on his tunic.
Point 3 – ARMOR
Like most knights, the Knight in this card is wearing armor. His armor is illustrative of the protection he has under the wand suit. Like the salamanders on his tunic, the Knight is resilient in hostile environments.
Point 4 – RED PLUMES
Flowing out of the Knight’s helmet is a red plume. This plume symbolizes the Knight’s passion and willpower. It is a reiteration of The Fool’s plume and suggests naïve enlightenment.
Point 5 – TUNIC
The tunic that the Knight wears is full of symbolism that gets at the core of the Wands suit. First, the color yellow helps the Knight blend into the background, illustrating his connectiveness with the world around him. Second, his tunic is decorated with various salamanders biting their tails. Every Minor Arcana has an animal associated with it. The salamander connects the Wand suit with the element of fire because, according to legend, the salamander can pass through fire without getting hurt. They reiterate the theme of resilience through conflict.
Point 6 – THE DESERT
Throughout the Wands suit, the landscape has shifted between a green plain and a yellow desert. The desert is not meant to represent the absences of life, but rather the resilience of it. Despite living in a wasteland, the Knight thrives, using his wit and willpower illustrated by the wand.
Point 7 – PYRAMIDS
This resilience in a waste land is further illustrated by the pyramids in the background. In a place where all is sand, humans have constructed something beautiful. This is only the second time that pyramids have been in the Wands suit and yet they are so representative of its meaning.
Tarot Reading
Upright
An Upright Knight of Wands suggests an unbridle pursuit of achievement. While the Page of Wands generated ideas, the Knight of Wands manifests them. If this card is in your deck, then view it as a green light to dive deep in your vision. Be aware though that this pursuit is an individual one. Unlike the King of Wands, you may find it difficult to lead others to your vision.
Reverse
A Reverse Knight of Wands suggests a more internal pursuit of achievement. You may be involved in a passion project that has no external value; it is simply something you want to do for yourself. These types of pursuits are great for your individual identity and should be taken with great care.
For more Tarot Card Meanings, check out our blog here.
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Jim Daley and his wife Natalie are the owners of Joker’s and Fools in Lake Wales, Florida, where they serve the Central Florida tarot community with a thoughtfully curated selection of Tarot and Oracle cards. Jim holds a B.A. in History from Tufts University and brings both academic insight and a deep appreciation for the symbolic tradition of the cards to his work.
