Card Suits Symbolism
History and Meaning - Card Suits Symbolism
The Indian culture has always been a part of card games. It is
also said that India was home to many card games such as rummy,
poker, bridge, etc. And indeed, most people would have played
these card games in their lives at least once. Some might even
practice with a deck of card suits for leisure to pass time.
Also, playing
card games online with your friends can give you the necessary solace and
recreation happiness you need at that time. Above all, it is fun
to play cards.
Besides that, cards have other values and meanings. The cards
are not only used for playing but also for divination and
conjuring. These cards are symbols of significant astrological
meaning. Let us investigate the signs seen in these cards, and
try exploring them now. This post will reveal some interesting
details about card suits, card symbolism and what each of the
cards represents.

Card Symbolism - Playing Card Suits
Playing cards are a collection or set of numbered or illustrated
cards that serve as instruments for playing card games like
poker. They are sometimes even used for education.
These playing card suits have rectangular-shaped paper layers
stuck together to form a semi-rigid surface. They are of equal
size and shape, making it easier to hold them in your hands.
Each Card is marked differently, rendering them to be easily
identifiable with just a glance. Each Card's front side is
distinguishable and different, whereas the backside bears a
typical pattern for all cards. The cards also have rounded
corners that prevent them from wear and tear. Later in the 20th
century, the cards were plastic-coated to resist fraying.
The advantage of
online games
is that each player can only handle and identify his cards but
not his opponents. This rule even applies to games like Dominoes
and Mahjong. It is also said that the British Domino players
often referred to Dominoes as cards back in the day. And Mahjong
was considered to be the father of card games, especially the
rummy family.
Card Suits - Card Suits Symbolism
For centuries, people have used a deck of cards. And for some
reason, we do not even know its exact origin story. Some say
that the cards must have originated from the East to the West.
Evidence has it that these
cash games of
cards were prevalent in the 9th century in China.
Simultaneously, the French had introduced the tarot card deck
for divination and prayer while the British recorded their
first-ever recreational card game.
Despite having such great history and background, you need to
remember that all card symbols are not the same. They have
evolved with time. Back then, the cards were labelled as pips of
goblets and sorcerers. But now, the cards have morphed into
printed forms of heart-diamond-spade-club symbols. These days,
the card symbols are viewed as social signs that can unlock the
secrets and meaning behind the pictures of a standard card deck.
They are used as designer logos that help with company branding
and marketing.
See Also:
How to Play Poker
A deck of cards consists of a total number of 52 cards. These
are divided across four suits. All these four suits contain 13
cards that are unique and different from each card in the entire
card deck. So, what are these 13 cards in a card suit? Among the
13 cards, three cards are considered to be face cards. Face
cards were favourites in Europe for centuries. Traditionally in
a card deck, there are four Ks and Qs, or Kings and Queens in
each tier, one for each suit. The denomination value of the King
and Queen cards differs from time to time.
Apart from the three face cards, we have the numbered cards.
They are all ranged and valued based on the numbering system.
The Ace card is ranked above all the other numbered cards. The
symbols and card suits reveal the historical aspects of cultural
marks and signals that have long been forgotten. As a means to
an end, modern-day logo designers have found ways to be
impactful to the public by just utilising this ancient card
symbolism.
Heart Club Diamond and Spade Symbols
If you consider counting the entire deck of cards’ numerical
value with Jack, Queen and King valued at 11, 12, 13,
respectively, you will notice that the total numerical value
comes up to 364. With one Joker as well, we will have precisely
365 (A year has these many numbers of days). The four suits,
heart-diamond-spade-club, present in a card deck stand for the
emblems of society and human energy. Clubs stand for strength
and achievement; diamonds for business and wealth creation;
hearts for clergy and struggle to attain inner peace; spade
symbols represent the warrior class and life in general.
The playing cards made a name for themselves in Europe back in
the 14th century. It was the merchants that imported the trade
into European cities. The symbols they traded were mostly
swords, batons, cups, and coins. Soon the card
skill games
began to catch on to the French Kingdom and later found their
way to England. The French were responsible for adding the Queen
to the deck of cards. Even the King and Ace concept was a French
addition that happened soon after the revolution succeeded in
toppling the King.
Hearts | Clubs | Diamonds | Spades |
---|---|---|---|
Cups, chalices Coupes |
Wands Bâtons, massues, gourdins staves, rods |
Coins, money Dernières, pièces, soleilsdisks, pentacles |
Swords Épées |
Swiss 6-lobe roses | German acorns | German bells | German leaves |
Clergy first estate | Farmers rural third estate | Merchants urban third estate | Nobles second estate |
Fire element | Earth element | Air element | Water element |
Names of Playing Cards Symbols
Modern-day playing card symbols (Heart, Diamond, Clubs and
Spades) are inked into black and red colours. The French first
familiarised the colour pattern in the year 1480. Even to this
day, these cards are referred to as French suits. They were also
competing with the Latin and the German card suits for
recognition and freedom.
During those times, there were political feuds between England
and France. But it was the French that prevailed in spreading
playing cards symbols-name all over Europe because the cards'
simplification they used made it easier to memorise and read.
Also, note that the German and Latin card suits were all printed
in full colour.
Four Card Suits in a Deck of Cards
In a card deck of 52 cards in total, there are about 13 cards
that are equally divided into four suits. The four card suits,
in a deck of cards are Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds and Spades. They
all represent some value and have some history into how they
came to be known.
The Hearts suit represents the Spring season. It is also seen as
a depiction of the childhood phase of human life. And this
symbol denotes the fire element. The Clubs suit represents the
Summer season. It also depicts the youth phase, where one tends
to lean on education and responsibility. And the club symbol
card signifies the earth element. The Diamonds represent the
Autumn season. It also talks about the growing stages of man
where he/she learns to survive the obstacles of life. In simple
words, it stands for wealth creation, growth and values. Diamond
card suits stand for the element of Air.
The Spades represent the Season of Winter. It is one of the
oldest symbols among the four suits. It also means imparting
knowledge and wisdom at the end of times. The logo stands as the
element of Water. As discussed earlier, the total cards in the
deck sum up to a numerical value. And that value exhibits the
number of days in a year. The 13 cards of each suit represent 13
months in the lunar calendar that amount to a total of 365 days.

Card Suits and Symbolism - FAQ
Q. What Does Each Playing Card Represent?
In a deck of cards, you would see there are 13 cards
of four suits. All these 13 cards, each of them
represents values and meanings. The King, Queen and
the Jack are the face cards for each card suit with
four symbols.
• The King of Hearts is Charlemagne, who was the
actual King of France.
• The King of Diamonds is Augustus, who ruled the
Kingdom of Rome.
• The King of Clubs is Alexander, who was the
Macedonian King.
• The King of Spades is David, who is the true King
of Israel.
Then are the numbered cards starting from Ace to the
number ten. They all have insightful depth and
meaning, especially when paired with the four suits
of a deck.
• Ace Card stands for attraction, desire and
hope.
• Two Card means to find union between the two
halves.
• Three Card shows opportunity and choice of
matters.
• Four Card reveals satisfaction and stability.
• Five Card resembles the restlessness and change
found in man.
• Six Card means adjustment and reflection of
life.
• Seven Card stands for stress that comes with
victory.
• Eight Card represents power and control.
• Nine Card is intended for surrender and new
beginnings.
• Ten Card speaks of success and fulfilment but with
the risk of breaking down on itself.