Queen of Swords

Queen of Swords from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck

The Queen of Swords is a card in the Suit of Swords, part of the Minor Arcana set of the Tarot. 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]

Rider-Waite symbolism

• She is extending her hand, perhaps to reach for another; but she also holds her sword firmly before her, perhaps as a warning, a self-protection or a test for another. The PKT says she is familiar with sorrow, so it may be understood in this way.
• Her crown is made up of butterflies, showing the freedom of her thought and her active intellect.
• Note the difference between the pristine white clouds, and the darker ones showing up on the right bottom corner. The latter ones may reflect upon her sorrows, as the PKT has specified. The former - the unusual clarity of her mind and thoughts. Compare with other sword court cards, where the clouds are mostly tarnished.
• The hand in front signifies putting thoughts into action. All the sword cards represent the mind and the element of air all the skyscapes will indicate the "emotion" of the card. This one with clouds low on the horizon mean new ideas or a new enterprise

References

1. 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 Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.