Three of Swords
The Three of Swords represents emotional pain, heartbreak, and the need for catharsis and healing. The swallow imagery evokes resilience, travel, and the capacity to meet adversity and navigate turbulent times. Upright, it signals deep hurt that must be released and examined to avoid internalizing wounds. Reversed, it highlights harmful self-talk and calls for forgiveness, optimism, and the work required to move past pain and rebuild. Ultimately, the card reassures that storms pass and brighter days will return.
Keywords
Animal
Swallow
Fun fact
Swallows are very common small birds that live all over the world. It takes a pair of swallows up to 1,200 journeys to build a nest. Much folklore surrounds the swallow. It is thought to be a good omen to see the first swallow in a year, and several Russian songs were written to celebrate their return after the long, cold winter.
Keywords
Heartbreak, Division, Loneliness
Reversed keywords
Optimism, Forgiveness, Repression
Meaning
A swallow darts through the open sky, narrowly dodging three swords coming towards it. Historically, swallows have been linked to nautical travel. Swallow tattoos were common fare among sailors who used them to indicate just how long their journeys at sea had been. They are symbols of encountering and combating adversity and all the surprises life throws our way. The Three of Swords reminds us that life can be a painful thing, but there is always the hope that calmer tides lie just around the bend.
When upright
When upright, the Three of Swords signifies that the user is undergoing deep emotional pain. Someone close to you has hurt you to the core with their words, actions, and/or intentions. You probably didn’t see this coming, but this is a signal that you must seek catharsis from the pain. Allow yourself an outlet to release the negative feelings clawing at your insides. Once you have found release, only then can you concentrate on how to move on. While pain is an important facet of life, you must be careful not to internalize it. If you find you are prone to being hurt by the words and actions of those around you, you may need to dig deep to find the root of where these wounds originate and take the steps needed to heal. Storms won’t last forever, and no matter what, the sun will shine again.
Reversed meaning
When reversed, the Three of Swords asks you to pay attention to how you treat yourself internally. You could be facing some hardship that is affecting you mentally and your emotions are in turmoil. Words have power, even the ones you only say inside your head. If you are prone to harsh self-criticism, find a way to curb the habit. If you are struggling to stand up to the harsh words of others, it may be time to thicken your skin. Life has not been kind in recent days, but working through the pain to identify the root of it will help you push past it and move on to bigger and better things. Nothing can change if you do not accept your situation and move on.
Visual Description
A white-and-purple bird with outstretched wings flies across three black swords that intersect at the center. The swords have ornate yellow-and-blue hilts and long dark blades edged in green. A deep star-speckled blue background fills the scene, with stylized pale cloud bands curling around the swords. The title "THREE OF SWORDS" is printed in gold lettering along the bottom.
Oriens tarot
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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].