Tarot Basics

Lesson 4 of 10 · beginner

The Court Cards

Discover the nuanced roles of Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings in your tarot deck.

3 min readPages, Knights, Queens, Kings as people or stances
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Course outline · lesson 4 of 10
  1. 01What Tarot Is (and Isn't)
  2. 02The Major Arcana Map
  3. 03The Four Suits
  4. 04The Court Cards
  5. 05Reversals — Should You Use Them?
  6. 06Asking a Good Question
  7. 07The Three-Card Spread
  8. 08Single-Card Practice
  9. 09Reading Patterns Across a Spread
  10. 10The Ethics of Reading for Others

What you’ll be able to do

  • Explain the court cards in plain language.
  • Recognize the role of pages, knights, queens, kings as people or stances without collapsing it into a stereotype.
  • Use what you learned to read one clear example.
Prerequisite: The Four Suits

The Court Cards in tarot are often seen as the most challenging to interpret. They can represent people, personality traits, or approaches to a situation. Understanding them adds depth to your readings.

Pages: The Curious Initiators

Pages are the youthful spark of the court. They represent beginnings, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. When a Page appears, think of it as a hint to explore new possibilities or to approach a situation with fresh eyes. Imagine pulling the Page of Swords: this might suggest engaging in a new intellectual pursuit or adopting a more inquisitive mindset.

Knights: The Active Pursuers

Knights are all about action and pursuit. They often indicate movement and the pursuit of goals. Their presence can suggest it's time to take decisive action or to pursue something with passion. For example, the Knight of Cups may signal a call to chase after a romantic interest or to follow your heart in creative endeavors.

Queens: The Nurturing Leaders

Queens embody nurturing, patience, and understanding. They reflect maturity and the ability to guide others while being in touch with one's inner self. Drawing the Queen of Pentacles might encourage you to tend to your home and finances with a caring hand, nurturing those around you.

Kings: The Masters of Control

Kings represent authority, mastery, and control. They indicate a need for structure or the presence of a powerful, commanding force. When the King of Wands appears, it might be time to take charge of a creative project with confidence and leadership.

People or Perspectives?

When interpreting Court Cards, consider if they represent a person in your life or a stance you might need to adopt. A Knight may indicate someone who is eager and driven around you, or it could suggest that you need to embody these traits to achieve your goals.

So what? Court Cards offer a rich tapestry of interpretations, encouraging you to explore both the people who influence your life and the roles you might inhabit.

Check your understanding

Five questions, with explanations.

This check is optional. Use it to remember the key idea, or continue whenever you’re ready.

01What do Pages in the tarot generally represent?
02Which Court Card suggests taking charge of a situation with confidence?
03If the Queen of Pentacles appears in a reading, what might it suggest?
04Which Court Card is most likely to represent action and pursuit?
05Which is a common misinterpretation of Court Cards?