The Meaning of
the "Knight of Wands" Tarot Card

The Knight of Wands sits on a charging pale-brown horse, which is rearing-up on its hind legs. The knight is wearing full armor, signifying that he is ready for battle.

The firey plume on the knight's helmet, and the firey red tassels on his shoulders and arms, remind us that the Suit of Wands is associated with the element of Fire. Likewise, his yellow tunic is also emblazoned with images of salamanders — which are also associated with fire.

... the Knight of Wands is fearlessly riding into battle. Unlike the Page of Wands, this is a card of action and motion.

In the knight's right hand he holds a single wand near its base, as if it is a sword. The overall feeling of the card is that the Knight of Wands is fearlessly riding into battle. Unlike the Page of Wands, this is a card of action and motion.

In the background we see a hot desert landscape. Three pyramid-shaped mountans rise in the distance signifying challenges and future accomplishments ahead.

As with the other court cards of the Tarot, the Knight of Wands may signify an actual person when it appears in in your readings.

The Knight of Wands is a person of actions. Where the Page of Wands represents a person of planning and optimism, the Knight of Wands takes that optimism and turns it into action and forward motion. Optimism has been transformed into pure confidence.

The Knight of Wands is daring and brave. He is prepared to seek adventure and take risks achieve his goals. Even if the task seems daunting or even impossible, the Knight of Wands approaches it with a mindset of assuredness — as if to say: This will happen. This will get done.

... the card speaks to the concepts of assuredness, confidence and action. Implementation has begun, and pieces are falling into place.

When the Knight of Wands card is not referencing an actual person in your readings, the card speaks to the concepts of assuredness, confidence and action.

Implementation of a greater plan has begun, and pieces are falling into place. Now is not the time to reconsider, or to re-plan. This is the time to move forward and gain ground.

If the card references a past event, it may reference a time when a straightforward, confident approach was used — and when actions spoke louder than words.

Generally speaking, the Knight of Wands is a somewhat positive card, but it should be noted that confidence, action and a direct approach will likely still face opposition.

Even though forward motion and an action-oriented approach are indicated here, the three pyramid-shaped mountains on the Knight of Wands card remind us that the possibility of challenges are still very real.

In most cases, the reversed Knight of Wands references a delay or a "speed bump" while starting down the road on a new plan.

... just when it's time to gather speed and turn plans into actions, something goes off track.

We all know what this kind of frustration can feel like: All the pieces seem to be in place. The planning is complete. But just when it's time to gather speed and turn plans into actions, something goes off track.

The inverted Knight of Wands may indicate errors that were made while planning, or it may indicate unforseen circumstances which threaten to derail a plan after begninning.

When the Knight of Wands appears in an inverted orientation, pay close attention to small details or steps which may have been forgotten. The card may be offering a gentle nudge to open one's eyes and look carefully at a situation as it unfolds.

If the card is referencing a past event, it may reference a time when something was forgotten, overlooked or received too little attention.

The card is generally somewhat negative, and carries overtones of strife, poor planning and surprise setbacks.