We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
History

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Do the Kings in a Deck of Cards Represent Historical Figures?

Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 2
References
Share

Anyone who is familiar with a deck of playing cards knows that the king is usually the highest-ranking face card, outranking any queens and jacks, though less valuable than aces. Being dealt a hand with multiple kings in it tends to be a cause for celebration. But have you ever looked closely at those kings? Who are they, exactly? Are they simply generic representations of monarchs, or are they linked with historical leaders or legendary characters?

The short answer is that today, the kings of hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades are generic figures, unless you have a themed or novelty deck, of course. However, in 16th-century France, there was an accepted iconography for the four king cards. French card designers of that period associated the cards with King David, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Charlemagne. Although this was not widely adopted elsewhere, the practice of featuring historical figures on playing cards lasted for nearly 200 years in France.

By the end of the 18th century, however, the glorification of the monarchy had died out — literally — in conjunction with the French Revolution. As a result, the kings featured on playing cards ceased to resemble any specific monarchs.

Deal me in:

  • It is unclear when and where playing cards first originated. Historian Joseph Needham believes they may have first appeared in Tang China during the 9th century AD.

  • Historians believe that king face cards were first produced in India or Persia before eventually making their way to Europe during the Middle Ages.

  • At one point, queens were completely removed from decks of cards in Germany. German playing cards also had their own distinctive suits, featuring leaves, acorns, hearts, and bells.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.com/do-the-kings-in-a-deck-of-cards-represent-historical-figures.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.