PLAYING CARD MEANINGS

The earliest known publication in the English language assigning specific meanings to playing cards was called Dr. Flamstead’s and Mr. Partridge’s New Fortune Book first published in 1729. https://www.historicgames.com/pdf/partandflam.pdf

The meanings they assigned are as quoted below.

HEARTS SUIT

Ace of Hearts Traditionally the house - New love - Friendship - Conception - A love letter

“He that draws the Ace of Hearts,

Shall appear a man in parts;

She that takes it I profess,

Has the gift of idleness.”

Two of Hearts Happy union - Success - Good news - An engagement - A baby - Harmony - Prosperity

“He that draws the Duce shall be,

Full of generosity;

But if the women take this card,

It doth shew very hard.”

Three of Hearts Third party - Warning - Caution - Love triangle - A child - Lack of commitment or indecision in a relationship

“The poor man that draws this tray.

When he’s bound he must obey;

Women that shall take this sort,

Will drink brandy by the quart.”

Four of Hearts Traditionally the sex card due to the four legs on a bed or couch - Celebration - Change - Travel - House move - Late marriage

“He that draws this Four,

Shall make faithful love for conscience sake;

And if taken by women kind,

They’ll prove false and so you’ll find.”

Five of Hearts Traditionally holding hands - Jealousy - Major life change - End of a relationship - Someone moving away - Loss

“Note the Five of Hearts declares,

Thou shalt manage great affairs;

But if took by women then,

They’ll love any sort of men.”

Six of Hearts Traditionally a book - Courtship - New Friend - Creativity - Learning - A holiday - Nostalgia - Childhood - The past - An old flame

“Now the Six of Hearts foretells,

Thou shalt be where honour dwells;

If took by the other side,

It betokens scorn and pride.”

Seven of Hearts Traditionally a lover’s quarrel - Broken promises - Unreliable person - New opening

“Now the Seven I will maintain,

Shews thou hast not lov’d in vain,

Thou shalt have the golden prize;

But with maids ’tis otherwise.”

Eight of Hearts Traditionally a gift - Invitations - Visitors - Flirtation - Justice - Balance

“Having drawn the number Eight,

Shews the servile born to wait;

But if women draw the same,

They shall mount on wings of fame.”

Nine of Hearts Traditionally the wish card - Yes answer - Fulfilment - Contentment

“By this Nine be well Assur’d,

Thy love pains must be endured;

But the maid that draws the same,

Soon in wedlock bands shall join.”

10 of Hearts Good fortune - Happy ever after - Spiritual development - Achievement

“This Ten is a lucky cast,

For it shews the worst is past;

But if maids the same should have,

Love will their kind hearts enslave.”

Jack of Hearts Traditionally a young, blonde person - Romantic suitor - Good friend - Pleasant person - Short-term love affair

“He that draws the Knave of Hearts,

It betokens knavish parts;

But if the female takes the Knave,

She shall ne’er be no man’s slave.”

Queen of Hearts Traditionally a blonde woman - A kind woman - Mother figure - Faithful - Trustworthy - Marriage - Pregnant woman

“By this Card it doth make known,

That thou shalt enjoy thy own;

Women if they take the same,

Shall enjoy a happy name.”

King of Hearts Traditionally a blonde man - A friendly man - Kind - Helpful - Romantic - Affectionate - Father figure - Fair - Stubborn - Advisor

“But this Card it doth appear,

Thou shalt live in happy cheer;

And if a female takes this card,

Shall soon likewise be preferred.”

CLUBS SUIT

Ace of Clubs Traditionally a letter - Prosperity - New business - New goal or venture - Important message - Passion for knowledge - Life change

“He who gets this Ace of Clubs,

Must expect a thousand snubs

from his Wife. But Girls again,

By this Card will rule and reign.”

Two of Clubs Traditionally means timing - Gossip - Delays - Waiting for a signal to move - Possible disappointment - Planning - Opposition

“Note, this Duce doth signify,

That thou wilt a Christian die;

Damsels that the same shall take,

Never will their friends forsake.”

Three of Clubs Business growth - Choices - Moving forward - Creativity - Rewards for hard work - A wealthy partner

“You that now this tray have drawn,

Shall on cruel harlots fawn;

Women that shall take the tray,

To their friends shall answer nay.”

Four of Clubs Traditionally an ill omen - Security - Stability - Potential - An adventure - Rest - Beware of betrayal - Help is available

“By this Four I plainly see,

Four brats shall be laid to thee;

Since that takes the same must wed,

Two rich husbands and well bred.”

Five of Clubs Traditionally an argument - Hard work - Competition - Sport - New friends - Support

“By this five I see that thou,

Shall be wed to a dirty sow;

This same drawn by virgins they,

shall take husbands kind and gay.”

Six of Clubs Business success - Competence - Enough money to get by - Sense of purpose - Victory - Good exam results

“By this six you’ll wed I know,

One that over you will crow;

Maids that take the same shall be,

Blest with husbands kind and free.”

Seven of Clubs Warning of trouble from the opposite sex - Business or social change - Taking a break - Standing up for one’s self

“Thou that hast the seven drawn,

Shall your breeches lay in pawn;

Maids that take the same shall wear,

Jewels rich beyond compare.”

Eight of Clubs Practical plans - Negotiation - Caution - Becoming organised - Events moving quickly

“By this Eight, tho’ whig or quaker,

Thou wilt be a cuckold maker;

Maids that draw the same are born,

To hold the beaus and fops in scorn.”

Nine of Clubs Profitable business - Unexpected gain - Change in goal or priorities - Completion of project or phase - New opportunity

“What the Nine, upon my Life,

Thou shalt wed a wealthy wife;

She that draws the same,

Shall have One that is both fool and knave.”

Ten of Clubs Traditionally gain from a loss of another - Business success - Luck with money - Hard work - Travel - Responsibilities

“Now this number half a score,

Shews thou wilt be wretched poor;

Maids that draw the number still,

Shall have joy and wit at will.”

Jack of Clubs Traditionally a young person with brown hair - Reliable, faithful, trustworthy friend - A passionate affair

“Now the vainly Knave appears,

He will cut off both your ears;

Women when the same they see,

Will be what they us’d to be.”

Queen of Clubs Traditionally a woman with brown hair - Enthusiastic, fun, charismatic, career-minded woman - A mother - A nurse

“If the Queen of Clubs thou hast,

Thou shalt be with honor graced;

Women if the same thy find,

Will have all things to their mind.”

King of Clubs Traditionally a man with brown hair - Energetic, confident man - A leader - Professional - Successful - A father - A judge

“Here’s the King of Clubs that shews,

Thou hast friends as well as foes;

Maids that draw this court card shall,

Have but few, or none at all.”

DIAMONDS SUIT

Ace of Diamonds Traditionally a message - A letter - Wedding ring - Offer of partnership - Documents - Improvements

“Since this Ace it seems your lot,

You’ll wed one that is fierce and hot;

But if woman kind draws it,

She’ll have one with wealth and wit.”

Two of Diamonds Small windfall - Good news about finances - Balancing the budget - Time management - Gossip

“Hast thou drawn the number Two,

Thou’lt wed one that’s just and true;

But if woman this shall have,

beware of a sly cunning knave.”

Three of Diamonds Generosity - Collaboration - Teamwork - Growth in resources - Legal issues - Being tactful

“Having drawn the number three,

Honor will thy portion be;

But a maid who gets the same,

Must take heed of wanton shame.”

Four of Diamonds Financial stability - Inheritance - Place where items are kept - Guarding resources

“The man who gets the number Four,

He must quite his native shore;

If the same be drawn by woman,

She’ll get a sweetheart out of hand.”

Five of Diamonds Legal documents - Shopping - Unexpected news - Financial change (good or bad) - Settle important matters

“He who draws the number Five,

Where he lives he best will thrive;

But if drawn by women-kind,

They better luck abroad will find.”

Six of Diamonds Light at the end of the tunnel - Improvements - Early marriage - Promotion - Charity - Helping someone financially

“He that draws the number Six,

Will have sly and cunning tricks;

But if a woman draw the same,

If doth shew her free from blame.”

Seven of Diamonds Traditionally the gambling card - Don’t take risks - Work challenges - Spiritual dissatisfaction - Looking for new direction

“Since the Seven doth appear,

Crosses thou hast cause to fear;

Women who the same do draw,

Fear no crosses of a straw.”

Eight of Diamonds Change of career - Late marriage - Travel - Savings plan - Training- Improving skills - Teaching

“Hast thou got the number Eight,

Thou wilt be a cuckold great;

Females who the same do take,

Never will the truth forsake.”

Nine of Diamonds Traditionally the Curse/ Cross of Scotland - Monetary gain - Business opportunity - Independence - Satisfaction - Contentment

“Hast thou got the merry Nine,

Guineas will thy pocket line;

She that draw it with her hand,

Dies for love or leaves the land.”

Ten of Diamonds Traditionally a treasure chest - Financial success - Inheritance - Socialising - Family business - Traditions

“What the Ten? ’tis very well,

None in love can thee excel;

But the girl who gets the Ten,

Will be wed, but none know when.”

Jack of Diamonds Traditionally a young person with light hair - Extroverted person - Insecure - Confused - Self indulgent - Unreliable

“Is the Knave of Diamonds come,

Then beware the martial drum;

If a woman takes the Knave,

She shall better fortune have.”

Queen of Diamonds Traditionally a woman with light hair - Mother - Leader - Flirtatious - Extroverted - Frivolous - Young at heart - Sophisticated

“Now the Queen of Diamonds fair,

Shews you shall some office bear;

Women if it falls to you,

Friends you’ll have and not a few.”

King of Diamonds Traditionally a man with light hair - Father - Professional, older man - Self confident - Vain - Achieving - Successful - Influential

“This fair King of Diamonds shews,

Thou wilt live where pleasure flows;

But when women get the King,

Melancholy songs they’ll sing.”

SPADES SUIT

Ace of Spades Traditionally the death card - Endings - Letting go of the past - Setbacks - Anxiety - Decisions - Significant change - Insight

“You that draw the Ace of Spades,

Shall be flouted by the maids;

When it is a damsel’s lot,

Wit and humour go to pot.”

Two of Spades Temporary problems - Tread carefully - Misunderstandings - Separation - Withdrawal - In denial of the truth

“Now this Duce betokens strife,

With a foolish wanton wife;

If a woman’s lot it be,

Honour, love, and dignity.”

Three of Spades Fights - Breakups - Misunderstandings - Communication difficulties - Infidelity - Stress- Irritations - Frustration

“Thou art happy in this tray,

And wilt wed some lady gay;

But girls who the same do take,

Wed with some poor town rake.”

Four of Spades Traditionally the Devil’s bedpost or the four horsemen - Delay - Short illness - Rest - Recovery - Recuperation

“Now this Four betoken you,

Must be of the horned crew;

Girls who get the like will meet,

With the height of joys complete.”

Five of Spades Difficult circumstances - Grief - Obstacles - Doubts - Moving on - Relocation

“This Five of Spades give you to know,

That you must thro’ troubles go;

But if a virgin it foretells,

Her virtue others must excels.”

Six of Spades Warning - Change of direction - Travel - Breaking away - Releasing bonds

“This Six foretells when you do wed,

You’ll have a cracked maidenhead;

But the girl this number draws,

She’ll wed one with great applause.”

Seven of Spades Loss - Hidden factors - Theft - Setbacks - Burdens - Grief - Water

“Since the Seven’s come to hand,

It doth entitle thee to land;

But girls by this, wed with those,

Who have no money, friends, or cloaths.”

Eight of Spades Hurt feelings - Negative thoughts - Caution advised - Cancellations - Backed into a corner - Insults

“This Eight doth foretell you shall,

Wed a woman strait and tall;

If to a girl the like doth come,

She weds the brother of tom thumb.”

Nine of Spades Traditionally one of the worst cards - Death - Funeral - End of a way of life - Grief - Depression - Anxiety - Nightmares - Bad luck

“By this Nine thou art foretold,

Thou shalt wed one lame and old;

Maids if they do get this chance,

May themselves to wealth advance.”

Ten of Spades Imprisonment - Ending and new beginning - Culmination of a challenge - Dark night of the soul - The only way is up - Worry - Illness

“Tis seen by the Ten of Spades,

Thou wilt follow many trades,

Thrive by none. But women they,

By this chance can’t work, but play.”

Jack of Spades Traditionally a young person with dark hair - Student - Immature - Erratic - Lawyer - Intelligent - Sarcastic - Single minded

“This is a Knave then have a care,

That thou dost not make a pair;

Women who the same do chose,

Will prove Sluts, but that’s no news.”

Queen of Spades Traditionally a woman with dark hair - Widow or divorced - Spiteful - Malicious - Powerful - Seductress - Truth seeker - Intelligent

“There’s the Queen of Spades,

likewise Thou wilt soon to riches rise;

Women by the same will have,

What they both desire and crave.”

King of Spades Traditionally a man with dark hair - Widower or divorced - Authority - Ambitious - Opportunistic - Unscrupulous - Professional

“By this King observe and note,

You on golden streams will float;

Women by the self same lot,

Long enjoy what they have got.”