by Gina Thies
The human figure has been the subject of drawings and art from the beginning of history. It has been so significant to art, partly because it is used to express the cultural values and viewpoints of the diverse eras in which they are composed. The Renaissance having the most influence on tarot is possibly also most detrimental in terms of representing all spectrums of people. It is a reminder of how small the world once appeared.
In the telling of any story, the physical descriptions of characters help to bring the story to life.
One could liken the reading process to telling one’s life story, with a host of characters that influence
the tale. In matters of love, querent regularly ask, “What does the future hold for my love life?”
followed by “What does he/she look like?” Even when matters are not so close to the heart, querents
naturally want specific information to make a reading more relevant and personal.
The tarot court cards are without a doubt descriptive of personalities in the cast of life. The following are a list of traditional and not-so-traditional physical descriptions of the 16 types of people represented in tarot royalty.
King of Wands
Physical type: Red or reddish-brown/auburn hair, fair
or light skinned complexion that could be freckled or
with a distinct mole or scar on the face or head. Eye
color ranges from hazel to green blue or turquoise.
Appearance can be husky or muscular with pronounced
nose, chin or brow areas.
Mature or 35+ in age.
Characteristics: Headstrong, vibrant, impulsive,
capable, dedicated, driven and typically has a good
sense of humor.
King of Swords
Physical type: Blond hair or hair with blonde
highlights or streaks. Fair complexion, may be darker
due to sun exposure. Eyes glitter or shine and colors
range from blue, bluish-gray to bluish-green to light
brown. Often features a long nose and a high forehead.
Mature or 35+ in years.
Characteristics: Rational, perceptive, can be selfless
or self-righteous. Reasonable, poised, judicious, and
often speaks through facial expression.
King of Cups
Physical type: Light brown to golden blonde hair or
highlights. Hair is usually thick and leans more to
brown. The complexion is medium fair to olive with
piercing eyes having colors that range from
grayish-blue to brown. The face shape typically is
square with distinct features, sultry lips and high or
prominent cheekbones.
Mature or 35+ in years.
Characteristics: Malleable, moody, tender, devoted,
loving, focused with creative tendencies.
King of Pentacles
Physical type: Dark brown to black hair or highlights.
Hair may gray in early years leaving a salt and pepper
appearance. The complexion ranges from fair to any
dark-skinned tones. The eyes are clear and bright and
in fairer skin can be blue, green or violet. With
darker skin tone, they range from hazel or light-brown
to dark brown. The face tends to look serious and the
body type can be slender or lean and tall.
Mature or 35+ in years.
Characteristics: Physically strong with high endurance,
capable, confident, resourceful, enterprising and
dependable.
Queen of Wands
Physical type: Auburn, burgundy, red or reddish-brown
hair with red highlights or henna rinse. The complexion
is extremely light to darker fair with freckles, spots
or moles. The eyes are pleasant and color ranges from
light amber to hazel or from blue to grey. There is
tendency to have prominent facial features and a stout,
sturdy frame.
Mature or 35+ in years.
Characteristics: Dramatic, passionate, vibrant, feisty,
impulsive and busy. Can also be aloof or egotistical
and haughty.
Queen of Swords
Physical type: Light blond to dark brown hair with
blonde highlights or ombre coloring. Medium-skinned,
may be darker due to sun exposure. Eyes can range from
blue to bluish gray or greenish-brown. In older people
of darker skin tones, eyes can have a bluish appearance.
Often features an oval face and appear younger than
they actually are in age Typically of average to above
average height. Very sophisticated.
Mature or 35+ in years.
Characteristics: Intellectual, ingenious,
perfectionist, straightforward and honest. Loves
harmony, balance and pleasantries. Diplomatic, tactful
and discriminating.
Queen of Cups
Physical type: Light blond to sandy blond hair or dark
hair with blonde highlights. Hair may also be thin.
Light to medium olive skin tones, may be darker due to
sun exposure. Eyes are blue, blue-gray or light brown
with specks of yellow or blue. Often features a a short
nose and round facial details. Height tends to be below
average to average.
Mature or 35+ in years.
Characteristics: Charming, alluring, mysterious,
soothing, loving and soft attitude. Can be naïve,
trusting and innocent.
Queen of Pentacles
Physical type: Dark brown to black hair or dark hair
mixed with gray and straight or coarse. Complexion is
medium to dark and deep-set eyes tend to be darker no
matter the hue, ranging from hazel to green and
sometimes violet, which is really a very deep blue.
Features are fine and the nose long and thin or broad.
Body frame has tendency to be thin and bony and small
to below average height.
Mature or 35+ in years.
Characteristics: Studious, resourceful, public-minded,
charitable, service-oriented, philanthropic, aspiring
and inspirational.
Knight of Wands
Physical type: Blond or red hair that is thick and
bushy. Fair or light skinned complexion. Eyes range
from blue to green-blue or turquoise. Features include
a large aquiline nose, wide forehead and often a large
prominent mouth. Body is top-heavy and can have long
legs and there may be a tendency towards clumsiness.
Young adult 18+ in age.
Characteristics: Intuitive, vibrant, politically-motivated,
philosophical, natural leadership abilities.
Knight of Swords
Physical type: Blond hair or dark hair with blonde
highlights or streaks that is straight and thick. Fair
complexion or light-skinned, may be darker due to sun
exposure. Eyes are sparkling bright and colors range
from blue to bluish-gray to light brown. Often features
a prominent nose and a high forehead. Body is tall,
lean and sinewy.
Young adult 18+ in age.
Characteristics: Eccentric, vivacious, dramatic,
quick-witted, experimenter, social-engineer, outgoing
and wish-washy.
Knight of Cups
Physical type: Light blonde to amber brown hair or
highlights. The complexion is fair to light olive with
piercing eyes having colors that range from gray to
brown. The face shape typically is square with shapely
lips and high or prominent cheekbones.
Young adult 18+ in age.
Characteristics: Honorable, compassionate, sacrificing,
nurturing, ideal lover, romantic, flirtatious, kind and
considerate.
Knight of Pentacles
Physical type: Dark auburn to black hair or highlights.
Hair is quite thick with a healthy appearance. The
complexion ranges from medium olive to dark. The eyes
are piercing, serious. With fairer skin, eyes can be
blue, green or violet; with darker skin tones, eye can
range from hazel or light-brown to dark brown. The face
is bold either in round or square shapes attached to a
long or thick neck and well proportioned body.
Young adult 18+ in years.
Characteristics: Protective, involved, responsible,
hard working, dependable and dull. Serious, practical
and concerns with the important duties of life.
Page of Wands
Physical type: Fair, strawberry-blonde or light brown
hair. Very fair or light skinned complexion. Eyes
range from green to blue or blue-gray. Face is marked
with a distinguished nose with a high bridge, large
forehead and often a prominent chin. Bone structure is
average but sturdy.
Either sex and under 18 years of age.
Characteristics: Light hearted, playful, sincere,
active, athletic, adventurous, supportive and team
player.
Page of Swords
Physical type: Medium blonde or dark hair with blonde
highlights or streaks that is straight with a tendency
to be sparse. Fair complexion or light-skinned, may be
darker due to sun exposure. Eyes are sparkling bright
and colors range from, bluish-gray to greenish brown.
Body is lean, muscular and toned.
Either sex and under 18 years of age.
Characteristics: Curious, nosey, impressionable,
practical, patient, cooperative, thinker and
daydreamer.
Page of Cups
Physical type: Fine, light blonde to honey blonde hair
or highlights. The complexion is fair to light olive
with large, hypnotic eyes having colors that range from
gray to blue and hazel. There is a tendency to have a
small frame that is dainty or delicate.
Either sex and under 18 years of age.
Characteristics: Emotional. Sensitive, intuitive,
vulnerable, warm, friendly, talkative, creative and
affectionate.
Page of Pentacles
Physical type: Dark brown to black hair or highlights.
Hair can be coarse and thick or wavy. The complexion
ranges from medium olive to dark. The eyes can be blue,
green, violet or dark brown to black. With darker skin
tones, eye color can range from hazel or light-brown to
dark brown. The body is stern, solid and they can
appear more mature than their actual age.
Either sex and under 18 years of age.
Characteristics: Instinctual, earthy, practical,
emotionally secure, productive, patient, conservative
and enthusiastic.