Who do playing cards represent?

The origin of playing cards has long been debated, some arguing the Middle East invented them while others say China did. Europeans did not learn of playing cards, however, until the mid-15th century when they were bought over from Egypt. Card makers quickly changed the designs to depict famous European figures, both mythical and historical. The cards we are most familiar with today are the French cards.

Symbolism behind playing cards

It is widely believed that the standard deck of playing cards is inspired by the calendar. There are 365 symbols in a deck of cards and 52 cards, representative of the 365 days and 52 weeks in a year. The 12 court cards represent the 12 months of the year.

Within the 52 cards are 4 suits, which symbolises the 4 seasons and the 4 natural elements. Hearts are for water, clubs are for fire, diamonds are for Earth, and spades are for air. There are 2 red suits and 2 black suits, representative of the 4 solstices or the 4 lunar phases, and the 13 cards in each suit signify the 13 weeks of each season. The red and black suits denote the cyclical nature of day and night.

Another common interpretation is that the 4 suits are representative of the 4 major pillars of the economy during the Middle Ages. Spades are the military, hearts are the Church or clergy, clubs are agriculture or peasants, and diamonds are the merchant class.

Some argue that the court cards were never based on real life figures, and instead were simply reflective of the attire and accessories that were worn within the European royal

Feature	Meaning
365 symbols	365 days in a year
52 cards	52 weeks in a year
12 court cards	12 months of the year
4 suits	4 seasons
	4 natural elements (hearts -water, clubs - fire, diamonds - Earth, and spades - air)
2 red suits and 2 black suits	4 solstices
	4 lunar phases
13 cards in each suit	13 weeks of each season
Red and black suits	cyclical nature of day and night

Another common interpretation is that the 4 suits are representative of the 4 major pillars of the economy during the Middle Ages. Spades are the military, hearts are the Church or clergy, clubs are agriculture or peasants, and diamonds are the merchant class.

Some argue that the court cards were never based on real life figures, and instead were simply reflective of the attire and accessories that were worn within the European royal court.

Kings

King of Spades - David, King of Israel (Old Testament)

According to the Old Testament, David was the King of Israel between 10th and 11 century BC. He is the same David behind the popular biblical story ‘David and Goliath.’

King of Hearts - Charlemagne, King of France

Charlemagne was the King of France and the first Holy Roman emperor. He lived between 747 and 814 AD.

King of Diamonds - Roman Caesar Augustus or Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar was a Roman dictator in the 1st century BC, famous for transforming Rome into an empire from a republic.

King of Clubs - Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia

Alexander the Great, the King of Macedonia, lived between 356 and 323 BCE. He is considered to be one of the greatest commanders in all of history, creating the largest empire of the ancient world.

Queens

Queen of Spades - Pallas Athena, Greek goddess

Pallas Athena was a Greek goddess of warfare, wisdom, courage, justice, and strength. Although she was not a real figure, she has inspired various works of literature, songs, monuments, and the city of Athens was named after her.

Queen of Hearts - Judith

According to the Old Testament, Judith freed the Israeli people from the oppression of the Assyrian’s by slaying Holofernes the General.

Queen of Diamonds - Rachel (Old Testament)

According to the Old Testament, Rachel was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, and one of two wives of Jacob.

Queen of Clubs - Argea or Argine

According to Greek mythology, Lady Argea was the mother of Argus. Argus built the ‘Argo’ ship in the story of ‘Jason and the Argonauts.’

Jacks

Jack of Spades - Ogier the Dane

Born in the 8th century AD, Ogie was the son of the King of Denmark. He fought against the Saracens alongside Charlemagne, famously slaying Brehus the giant.

Jack of Hearts - La Hire

La Hire, or Étienne de Vignolles, was a close companion of Joan of Arc. He was a French commander throughout the Hundred Years War, during the Late Middle Ages.

Jack of Diamonds - Hector

The first son of King Priam, Hector was a Trojan prince in Greek mythology. He was one of Troy’s greatest fighters in the Trojan War, acting as their leader, and in defence of the city he killed 31,000 Greek’s.

Jack of Clubs - Judas Maccabeus or Lancelot

Judas Maccabeus is hailed alongside Joshua, Gideon, and David as one of the greatest warriors from Jewish history. Between 167-160 BC, he successfully led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire.

Born in 1415 AD, Sir Lancelot was King’s Arthur’s most trusted knight and helped the King achieve many of his victories. He was part of the ‘Knights of the Round Table.’ He also had an affair with the King’s wife, Guinevere.