King (cartomancy)

In cartomancy with an ordinary deck, the king is the highest court card, traditionally representing an adult man, a figure of authority or protection, a spouse, a superior or an advisor. Its suit specifies the role: the king of hearts is kindly and often associated with the querent or the beloved man, the king of diamonds more distant or tied to business, the king of clubs influential and loyal, the king of spades stern, bureaucratic or hostile. Depending on the school, the king may also stand for an institution rather than a person.