What Are Court Cards in Tarot?
TL;DR
Court Cards are the Page, Knight, Queen, and King cards found in each Tarot suit. They often represent people, personality traits, behaviours, or ways of approaching situations.
IN SHORT
Many Tarot beginners find Court Cards challenging.
Unlike numbered cards, Court Cards often represent human qualities and behaviours.
There are sixteen Court Cards in total:
• Four Pages
• Four Knights
• Four Queens
• Four Kings
Each appears within the four Tarot suits.
REAL TALK
Court Cards confuse many readers because they do not always represent an actual person.
Sometimes they describe:
• You
• Someone else
• A personality trait
• A behaviour pattern
• An approach to a situation
Learning the difference takes time and practice.
Understanding The Pages
Pages often represent:
• Learning
• Curiosity
• New experiences
• Exploration
They carry youthful energy and a willingness to discover something new.
Understanding The Knights
Knights represent movement and action.
They often suggest:
• Progress
• Pursuit
• Determination
• Momentum
Each Knight expresses this energy differently depending on the suit.
Understanding The Queens
Queens often represent:
• Wisdom
• Nurturing
• Emotional maturity
• Confidence
Their energy is usually more reflective and inward-focused.
Understanding The Kings
Kings often symbolise:
• Leadership
• Authority
• Responsibility
• Experience
They suggest mastery and control within the area represented by their suit.
The Suit Still Matters
Court Cards combine their role with the energy of the suit.
For example:
• Queen of Cups = emotional wisdom
• King of Pentacles = practical leadership
• Knight of Wands = energetic action
• Page of Swords = curiosity and communication
Both elements contribute to the interpretation.
WHY THIS WORKS
Court Cards help bring personality and human behaviour into Tarot readings.
They show how situations may be approached rather than simply describing what is happening.
COMMON MISTAKE
Mistake:
Assuming every Court Card represents another person.
Fix:
Consider whether the card might be describing an attitude, behaviour, or aspect of yourself.
COFFEE CUP TIP ☕
When a Court Card appears, ask:
"Who or what does this card remind me of?"
The answer often reveals the card's role within the reading.
FAQ QUICK FIX
Court Cards are:
Pages
Knights
Queens
Kings
They often represent people, personality traits, behaviours, and approaches to situations.
QUICK RECAP
Court Cards add personality and human behaviour to Tarot readings.
Understanding their roles makes them much easier to interpret.
RELATED QUESTIONS
→ Why Do Tarot Cards Have Different Meanings?
→ How Should Beginners Learn the Cards?
→ Should You Memorise Tarot Card Meanings?
NEXT STEP
Now that you understand the structure of the cards, the next step is learning the most effective way for beginners to study and remember them.
