Five of Swords Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

What does the Five of Swords mean upright and reversed? We explore its symbolism, interpretation in love and career, and what it reveals about feelings, advice, and yes/no answers. 

Five of Swords Keywords Upright and Reversed 

• Upright: Conflict, loss, back against the wall, betrayal, and a febrile atmosphere.
• Reversed: Willingness to change, past resentment, tackling feelings of abandonment, and broken promises. 

Five of Swords Description and Symbolism 

In this particular tarot card, we have a young man depicted, and on his face is a look of contempt as he stares at his defeated enemies. He possesses five swords; which he has taken from the defeated soldiers in his battle. There are two other figures in the card who are walking away from him with a sense of sadness and loss. In the background, one can see tumultuous storm clouds gathering, and this brings a sense of foreboding. All is not well, despite the battle seemingly being over and the victor holding the swords. 

Upright Five of Swords Meaning 

This card represents the cost of the battle. Frequently in life, we engage in competition, conflict, or a battle of wills with other people. Depending on our strength of character or willpower, we may be the victor, but often the victory is not as sweet as we had hoped because we have burned bridges, lost friends, or alienated people. 

This card reminds us that victory comes at a cost and that often being selfish can lead to isolation or being unpopular. This card helps us understand that victory does not always bring the rewards we had hoped for, especially if we have lost something else that is important. Five of Swords reminds us to be noble in competition and weigh up the opportunity cost of the battle one wants to win, so that others retain their faith in us. It is a reminder that you will be judged not only on your victory, but on the tactics you use to get that victory. 

This card may also indicate that you are feeling like a lone voice. Perhaps everyone is disagreeing with you, and you have lost some friends through pursuing your truth. You need to decide whether your point of view is important enough to isolate you or put friendships in jeopardy, or whether there are compromises that can be made to help smooth the situation. Sometimes alienation is a price worth paying, but sometimes it isn’t. It is for you to decide.

Love Meaning Upright Five of Swords 

If you’re dating, you may feel that you keep meeting people who take advantage or who don’t really make an effort. You may even be suffering feelings of rejection and hurt, and things aren’t really going your way. On the other hand, perhaps you have been following the wrong path in love. 

You may have been too demanding, or perhaps taken things too quickly, and what you need now is a slower, more considered approach in love. This card encourages change, a shift in attitude, more give-and-take, and an assessment of balance in the relationship. You need to feel supported, but at the same time, you don’t want to be crowding or suffocating a partner. 

In a long-term relationship, this card often indicates a falling out or some sort of disagreement or tension. Five of Swords suggests a battle of wills, and it’s very important that compromise and forgiveness aren’t off the table. It’s often tempting to say hurtful things in the heat of battle as it can feel satisfying to attack your partner, to play the blame game, or hurl insults, but this can significantly damage the relationship. The key in relationships is to count to ten. Don’t act in haste, repent at leisure. Be wise and constructive in what you say, and try to understand where each other is coming from. 

There has to be balance in relationships, both of you have to accept responsibility for your actions and think more about what you are trying to achieve and how best to do it. Sometimes it is more important to be diplomatic than to be right. 

Career Meaning for Five of Swords 

This card usually appears when there is a ruthless atmosphere in your work situation. Competitiveness and conflict are the order of the day, and the atmosphere may be very draining because it is hostile and you’re constantly having to be on alert. It is important, in your employment, to watch your back as there may be people who are trying to undermine you and perhaps ride off the back of your efforts. It is very important in the creative world to protect your ideas so someone can’t steal them. 

Be careful of engaging in power games. There is a saying: the people you tread on on the way up are the same people you will come across on the way down. It is very important to maintain a positive attitude towards others. The key is more haste, less speed. Although you want to achieve, if it leads you to be domineering and disrespectful, it will ultimately slow you up. 

The key to success is a little more patience and cultivating better relationships, rather than taking easy wins at the cost of long-term success.

Health Meaning Upright Five of Swords 

The message of this tarot card is to guard against negativity. Often being involved in conflict situations or arguments can be really bad for your health. 

It’s also important to address anger. You may be behaving in a passive-aggressive way, or you might be more openly aggressive, but getting involved in arguments can feel temporarily satisfying and yet it may end up creating an atmosphere that really wears you down. Being more diplomatic and extending an olive branch can help your health by calming the situation down. 

The key thing is to be the oil on troubled waters. It’s good for your health and for others. Address any anger and take it out on the sporting field rather than on others. It’s a great time for competitive physical activities to release tension. 

Spiritual Meaning of the Upright Five of Swords 

Winning can sometimes be great for our ego. Winning an argument or getting involved in debate can feel satisfying, but spiritually it is often better to keep one’s thoughts to oneself and foster a more harmonious environment. 

It is satisfying to be proved right and to say, “I told you so,” but this often damages relationships. It is very important to think of the long-term and act in a way that protects relationships and the feelings of others. Often there is a desire to get one over on someone and have the last word, but once again this results in a hollow victory, particularly if an important love relationship or a relationship with a colleague ends up being damaged. It is essential to think about which goals are ego-driven and which could cost you happiness in the long term. Think of every situation holistically and react with more impartiality and with less ego. 

Feelings or Actions related to the Upright Five of Swords 

This tarot card is a reminder that triumph is often a result of arrogance and pride rather than being truly successful. It is important not to get ahead of yourself. Often you feel like you’re on top and overplay your hand. 

Another piece of advice with this upright card is to quit while you’re ahead. Mental challenges and debate are appealing right now. You may feel confident, opinionated, and sometimes even a little over-the-top or boastful. It is important to keep your ego in check. This tarot card can also indicate suffering a defeat because of betrayal by someone you once trusted. 

Be the master of your own destiny, and be careful of people who may be sabotaging you without your knowledge.

Reversed Five of Swords Meaning 

The reversed card indicates that you have had enough of conflict and are ready to compromise. This card signifies a time to step back and allow the dust to settle. It is important not to prolong disagreements or conflict situations and to work as hard as you can to restore harmony. 

Disagreements are incredibly unsettling and unproductive, and the best thing for everyone is to park the issues, agree to compromise, and move on. Nothing more can be gained from the battle. 

Love Meaning for Reversed Five of Swords 

In love, this can mean that you’ve had a change of heart. You are sick and tired of arguing and are beginning to see the benefit of resolving conflict. You may have softened your position and are willing to negotiate. This doesn’t mean backing down entirely or facing defeat, but you are ready to compromise. You may have realised there is a win-win situation and no need for further loggerheads. 

This reversed tarot card is positive and suggests a return to a more tranquil phase, where you and your partner focus on positives and areas of agreement. It can be a great time to reach out to a former partner or friend you disagreed with and put the past behind you. 

Career Meaning for Reversed Five of Swords 

In terms of a career, this tarot card may indicate that although you are trying to move on from a situation, the other people involved are refusing to let it go. You may have difficulty coping with people who are resentful, hostile, and who cannot forgive. You will be called to try and cope with people who are continuing to create trouble, even though you are prepared to walk away or have already made a positive decision. 

In severe cases, you may have to leave a job or work situation, or abandon a relationship with a client who has possibly become too difficult. It is very important to understand that some contentious situations are not nearing resolution, and you perhaps need to abandon that particular course of action. 

Health Meaning for Reversed Five of Swords 

In health, this card can suggest an old problem, injury, or bad habit has returned to haunt you. You may have to revisit a previous health concern and address it, or reflect on the fact that your repressed anger has led you to negative coping mechanisms that are adversely affecting your health. 

Spiritual Meaning of Reversed Five of Swords 

This card alerts you to the problem of resentment. Resentment and other emotions like anger can be very toxic, and they can have an impact on mental health, physical health, and also your spiritual growth. Ultimately, you need to outgrow conflicts and move forward. You need to assess any issues that persist, which may be draining your energy and holding you back, and find ways in which you can permanently settle these. 

Feelings or Actions related to Reversed Five of Swords 

Stop fighting, stop bracing, and start living again. Remember that often the fight isn’t worth it, and walking away or extending an olive branch is the quickest way to move on and restore good relations. 

In some cases, you may have to abandon a relationship, a client, or a work situation if other people refuse to bury the hatchet. The best thing for you right now is being more zen, calm, and letting it all go. This card also reminds you that you can’t always please everybody and not everyone’s opinions or desires can be accommodated, thus sometimes you have to pursue separate goals and part ways. 

Some issues cannot be resolved in the interim and have to be parked until such time as people are willing to make the necessary compromises. Often, battles have reached a stalemate, and it’s time to walk away. 

Past, Present and Future Positions for Ace of Swords 

Past

Conflict, disagreements, or hostility has resulted in tension. You may have experienced a betrayal, argument, or a win-at-all-costs scenario that left lasting resentment. 

Present

There may be competition, heated debate or power struggles. You’re being tested on whether to act diplomatically or continue fighting. It’s a moment to consider the consequences of your actions and whether victory is truly worth it. 

Future

The outcome depends on how you handle the present. If you choose compromise, let go of ego, or extend an olive branch, healing and resolution are possible. If conflict continues mercilessly, it could lead to isolation, damaged relationships, or lingering resentment.

Ace of Swords – YES or NO to a question 

The Five of Swords leans toward NO, especially for questions about harmony, reconciliation, or mutual benefit. 

Upright Five of Swords: NO 

Conflict, selfish motives, or a win-lose outcome. Even if you “win,” it may cost you more than it’s worth. 

Reversed Five of Swords: Maybe or Conditional YES 

Only possible if compromise, apology, or walking back ego is possible. 

Advice and Message of the Five of Swords 

The Five of Swords reminds you that winning at any cost is often detrimental to everyone involved. It’s important to assess everything that you are going after. What’s driving your determination? Who are you competing with? What are you looking to achieve? Is the enormous effort you are putting in going to bring you the desired result? 

It’s also very important to continue to use moderation and play fair. Sometimes winning becomes so important that one lets oneself down by acting in a way that is not always honourable. It’s vital to rather win fair and square than to win at all costs. 

Summary 

The main message of the Five of Swords is that for every action there is a reaction. While the taste of victory is sweet, it can sour very quickly if one has burned bridges, alienated people, and perhaps ruined one’s reputation to get that victory. It’s important to assess the cost of the win. 

While being competitive and determined are powerful traits, one should not descend into ego and arrogance. It’s also important to be gracious as the victor and extend an olive branch to the defeated to ensure good relations are maintained. Walking away for the good of all is not a defeat. Sometimes one must fight a battle numerous times to win it, and win it in a way that is truly sweet.