Swords in the victor’s hands
He has taken the others’ weapons, yet he looks grim rather than triumphant.
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Minor Arcana · Swords · 5
Five of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
The Five of Swords is a victory that brings no joy. A young man gathers swords from the field while the defeated walk away or sit in despair. The card speaks of conflict, humiliation, winning at any cost and what follows.
Upright
- conflict
- defeat
- winning at any cost
- humiliation
- discord
Reversed
- reconciliation
- giving up the fight
- regret
- forgiveness
- old grudges
- Number
- 5
- Element
- Air
- Astrology
- Venus in Aquarius
Card symbolism in our deck
In Heinrich Pangrau’s deck, the Five of Swords shows a young man holding two swords and looking at the defeated. One sits with his face covered, another walks away toward the sea. Abandoned swords lie on the ground, and birds fly across the sky.
The figure sitting in despair
The loser is broken: the price of the conflict is someone else’s humiliation.
The figure walking to the sea
Someone simply left. After a victory like this, the relationship can’t be restored.
Abandoned sword
A weapon on the ground is an empty victory: no one will use it again.
Five of Swords meaning
The upright Five of Swords is a conflict in which someone is bound to lose. A quarrel, intrigue, a fight to be right that leaves resentment behind.
The card asks: is this victory worth your relationships with people?
Five of Swords reversed
The reversed Five is the wish to end the war: to apologize, make peace, let go.
Sometimes it is the return of old grudges that were never talked through.
Five of Swords in love, work, money and health
Love and relationships
Upright Arguments, cruel words, a power struggle in the couple.
Reversed An attempt at reconciliation, apologies after a conflict.
Feelings This person is hurt or irritated. The relationship is colored by conflict right now.
Work and career
Upright Intrigue, unfair competition, conflict with colleagues.
Reversed Settling a conflict, getting out of a toxic situation.
Money
Upright Disputes over money, losses because of conflict.
Reversed A compromise in a financial dispute.
Health
Upright Stress from conflicts. Tarot is no substitute for a doctor.
Reversed Relief after making peace.
Five of Swords as a person
As a person: confrontational, ambitious at any cost, or someone who feels defeated.
The card’s advice
Upright Decide what matters more: being right or keeping the relationship.
Reversed Take the first step toward peace, if you can.
Card of the Day
Draw your card of the day
Five of Swords as the card of the day
As the card of the day: a day when it is easy to quarrel. Don’t get into arguments on principle.
Combinations with other cards
- Five of Swords + Five of WandsA drawn-out conflict.
- Five of Swords + Seven of SwordsDeception and intrigue.
- Five of Swords + JusticeThe dispute will be settled fairly.
- Five of Swords + TemperanceReconciliation.
- Five of Swords + Three of SwordsA conflict that has wounded the heart.
Frequently asked questions about Five of Swords
Is the Five of Swords a yes or no card?
No: the price of winning will be too high.
What does the Five of Swords mean in love?
Arguments, cruelty, a power struggle.
What does the Five of Swords reversed mean?
Reconciliation or the return of old grudges.
What does the Five of Swords mean as a card of the day?
Avoid arguing just on principle.