Three of Swords
The Three Of Swords depicts sudden, sharp sorrow and the painful revelation of truth. The image of a pale Victorian woman pierced by three swords symbolizes heartbreak, painful honesty, or a necessary rupture that clears illusions and forces clear thinking. Allowing the shock and grief to surface permits the slow work of healing, teaching, and the possibility of forgiveness or acceptance. The card insists on facing reality to begin catharsis and warns that avoidance will only prolong the hurt.
Keywords
Visual description
A pale, solemn Victorian woman sits framed by an ornate golden gate; three swords pierce her chest through a torn bow, with dark droplets staining her dress. Wisps of mist or cobweb-like smoke curl around her, and a carved jack-o'-lantern rests in her lap. Bats flit against a cloudy, moonlit sky in the background and a small numeral 3 sits centered at the top of the frame. The bottom of the image bears the word 'SWORDS' in bold orange letters.
Meaning
The woman’s still face and the three blades lodged at her heart tell a story of sudden, sharp sorrow that cuts through pretense and leaves an ache that must be felt. Cold metal, the scent of damp fog, and the small carved pumpkin add a theatrical chill to a scene where truth is exposed and grief is undeniable. This image can herald heartbreak, painful honesty, or the necessary rupture that clears illusions and forces clear thinking, bringing clarity even as it stings. Yet the same tableau also holds the possibility of release: when the initial shock is allowed to surface and be acknowledged, the wounds begin their slow work of teaching, and forgiveness or acceptance can follow. Whether the pain arrives as a clean, brutal revelation or as a long, lingering sorrow, the card insists on facing what is real so healing can begin, and it warns that avoidance will only prolong the hurt. Expect catharsis, a turning toward truth, and the eventual possibility of mending the heart once grief is honored.
Visual Description
A pale, solemn Victorian woman sits framed by an ornate golden gate; three swords pierce her chest through a torn bow, with dark droplets staining her dress. Wisps of mist or cobweb-like smoke curl around her, and a carved jack-o'-lantern rests in her lap. Bats flit against a cloudy, moonlit sky in the background and a small numeral 3 sits centered at the top of the frame. The bottom of the image bears the word 'SWORDS' in bold orange letters.
Trick or Treat tarot
💜 Please support creators. Buy official decks.
ℹ️ Disclaimer
All card images and descriptions are taken from public sources. They are used for review purposes only. All rights to these images and descriptions belong to their creators. If you believe there is a copyright infringement, please contact us at [email protected].