Six of Wands Tarot Card Meaning — Upright & Reversed
Key Facts at a Glance
Property
Value
Card Number
6
Category
Minor Arcana · Wands (Fire Element)
RWS Deck Year
1909 (Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith)
Historical Names / Aliases
Six of Wands, Sex Baculorum, The Crowned Victor
Element & Astrology
Element: Fire Element · Astrology: Jupiter in Leo · Number: 6 · Suit: Wands
Keywords
Victory, Public Recognition, Triumph, Acclaim
Upright Key Meaning
Reversed Key Meaning
Related Cards
Five of Wands, Seven of Wands, The Emperor
Six of Wands — Overview & Historical Provenance
In Jungian terms, Six of Wands maps onto the archetype of The Crowned Victor. The card appears at position 6 in the suit of Wands — a placement that concentrates the energy of Fire into a single pivotal moment of the symbolic journey. Its Italian and French predecessors carried the name Sei di Bastoni (Early Italian). Illustrated in 1909 by Pamela Colman Smith, it remains one of the most reproduced esoteric images in print.
“The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the King's courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire. Reversed: Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty, as of gates being opened to them.” — A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910)
Six of Wands — Upright Meaning
“Gloria in excelsis victori.” — Glory on high to the steadfast victor.
Victory
Public Recognition
Triumph
Acclaim
Six of Wands — Reversed Meaning
Ego Pride
Fall from Grace
Lack of Recognition
Arrogance
Six of Wands — Real-World Life Scenarios
Love & relationships
Career & work
Health & Energy Management
From a holistic wellbeing perspective, Six of Wands encourages mindful awareness of energy levels and physical rhythms. Apply this lens to daily health habits — rest, movement, and emotional balance.
When Six of Wands appears reversed in a health context, it can signal neglect of the body's signals or a need to slow down before strain becomes injury. Prioritise rest and seek professional guidance if symptoms persist — tarot offers symbolic reflection, not medical diagnosis.
Finances & Resource Management
Six of Wands brings the energy of victory to financial matters. Upright, it favours decisive action grounded in clear assessment of available resources. Identify your strongest assets and direct effort where leverage is greatest.
Reversed, Six of Wands warns of egoism patterns in money management — impulse spending, avoidance, or undervaluing what you hold. Pause before committing funds, review terms carefully, and consult a trusted advisor on significant decisions.
Six of Wands — Visual Symbolism & Iconography
Laurel Wreath on Knight's Brow
The classical crown of Apollo and victory, symbolizing peerless accomplishment, triumph, and widespread public acclaim.
Second Wreath Atop Wand
A floral garland hoisted high on the staff's peak, broadcasting the fruits of success for both heaven and peers to behold.
Caparisoned White Charger
A gentle yet proud steed draped in green livery, symbolizing raw passionate vitality brought under noble, disciplined guidance.
Escorting Retinue of Five Wands
Foot soldiers marching proudly beside the horseman, affirming that great victory is never solitary, but built on collective loyalty and shared effort.
Six of Wands in Tarot History & Archetypal System
Six of Wands is the rank-6 pip card within the suit of Wands, whose elemental group is Fire. Astrologically, this position corresponds to Jupiter in Leo. Across the four suits, rank 6 consistently addresses the theme of The Crowned Victor, each flavoured by its suit: Wands inflects that theme with the qualities of Fire energy.
More Fire Element-element cards worth comparing
The Emperor: A stone throne holds a stern, watchful king Reversed: Control hardens into bossiness, or the reins slip from your grip
Strength: A calm hand closes a lion's jaw without a fight Reversed: Doubt gnaws, or anger presses at the lid
Wheel of Fortune: The great wheel turns, and your season changes Reversed: A rough patch rolls through
Temperance: An angel pours water between two cups without spilling a drop Reversed: The cup tips: too much of one thing, none of the other
The Tower: Lightning hits the tower, and the crown falls Reversed: You prop up a structure that needs to fall
Rank 6 across the four suits
Six of Cups: Reversed:
Six of Swords: Reversed:
Six of Pentacles: Reversed:
Classical Sources & References
Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910), 'Six of Wands'.
Six of Wands shifts tone depending on its neighbours: next to Five of Wands the message leans one way, next to Seven of Wands it leans another. Read pairs through their shared element and the weight of any Major Arcana involved.
Read Six of Wands next to Five of Wands and Seven of Wands: if their themes reinforce each other, the answer gains momentum; if they contradict, the surrounding cards decide which current is stronger. A blocked or heavy neighbour weakens the pull, while any Wands or Major Arcana card beside it amplifies the charge.
Related cards
Continue your study with these closely connected cards.
I drew Six of Wands — what is the most constructive step right now?
Translate “Victory” into one concrete action you can follow through on today.
How does Six of Wands's archetype — "The Crowned Victor" — apply in everyday life?
Waite's traditional keyword for Six of Wands begins: "The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the King's courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire." In practice, the archetype of The Crowned Victor manifests as Victory and Success in upright readings, and as Egoism and Fall from Grace when reversed. Ground the symbol in concrete, observable situations rather than abstract theory.