Five of Swords: Tarot Card Meaning

Meaning of the Five of Swords card upright

A smirking man gathers swords while two defeated figures walk off, heads down. He won, but at a price: the relationship is damaged. The card asks whether your victory is worth it, and whether you are insisting on being right at the cost of people.

Five of Swords reversed

• reconciliation
• regret
• an end to the conflict

Reversed, the Five shows regret after a quarrel, a wish to make peace or an end to a hostile situation. It is a chance to let go of pride and mend what was broken.

Five of Swords in love and relationships

In love it means a quarrel where someone must lose, humiliation or a power struggle. Reversed, an apology and reconciliation.

Five of Swords in work and finances

At work this is rivalry, dirty tricks, a win at someone else's expense or a hostile team. Reversed, the conflict cools and you look for a compromise.

Symbolism of the Five of Swords card

The three swords in the winner's hands are the spoils. The two swords on the ground are the defeated side's weapons. The stormy sky is the tension that remains.

Five of Swords in a yes or no reading

In yes or no spreads, Five of Swords upright reads as “no” and reversed as “no”. The answer comes from the general meaning of the card (a Pyrrhic victory, conflict), so always take the wording of the question and the neighbouring cards into account. Try a yes or no reading.