Five of Swords Keywords
UPRIGHT: upheaval | conflict | win at any cost | disagreement | bullying
REVERSED: contrition | penance | reconciliation | past resentment
Five of Swords Description
The Five of Swords features a man with a cunning expression gathering three swords from the ground, symbolizing victory, but one gained through dubious means. His glance towards two dejected men walking away highlights their defeat and sorrow, indicating that the victory may be hollow or morally compromised. The scattered swords on the ground hint at a recent conflict and the negative aftermath of the struggle.
The overcast and stormy sky reinforces the theme of unease and turmoil, suggesting that the end of the conflict has not brought peace or resolution, but rather ongoing tension and dissatisfaction. This card reflects the consequences of winning at any cost, illustrating the potential for strife, ethical dilemmas, and the isolation that can follow contentious victories. It underscores the complex nature of conflict and the often-pyrrhic nature of aggressive triumphs.
NOTE: The tarot card meaning description is based on the Rider-Waite deck and Decoding The Cards