Queen of Swords

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