Lesson 5 · 5 min read
Tarot court cards
Court cards show people or ways of acting: Pages learn, Knights act, Queens nurture from within and Kings lead from outside.
Sixteen people in the deck
Each suit has four court cards, so there are 16 in all. They are often the hardest cards for beginners, because a court card can mean a person in your life, a side of your own character, or an approach the situation needs.
The four ranks
Pages are students and messengers. They bring news, curiosity and a beginner's mind.
Knights are in motion. They chase a goal, sometimes too fast, and show the suit's energy at its most extreme.
Queens hold the suit's qualities inside. They are caring, wise and steady.
Kings use the suit's qualities in the outside world. They lead, decide and take responsibility.
Rank plus suit
Mix the rank with the suit. The Knight of Wands rushes toward adventure, while the Queen of Cups listens with deep empathy. The King of Pentacles is a reliable provider.
Person, part of you or advice?
Ask yourself which fits best. If someone comes to mind straight away, the card may be about them. If not, ask where you act like this figure, or where acting more like them could help.
Curious which court card matches you? Try the which card are you quiz.
Common questions
Do court cards always mean a person?
No. They can show another person, part of your own personality, or an attitude the situation calls for.
Does a King mean a man and a Queen mean a woman?
Not necessarily. Most readers treat the ranks as styles of energy that anyone of any gender can show.
How many court cards are in a tarot deck?
There are 16 court cards: a Page, Knight, Queen and King in each of the four suits.