Book of Trades Tarot (Jost Amman 1588): King of Wine Jugs
For the purposes of this divination, the suit of Wine Jugs corresponds to the suit of Coins, or the playing card suit of Diamonds. This suit represents the element Earth, and the social class of Merchants. Wine Jugs are considered a Feminine suit. Wine Jugs typically represent material wealth and possessions, the body and health, and the environment of the questioner.
The Kings typically concern men: fathers, brothers, or male friends. They may represent maturity, social, political and economic power, strength and intellect, and kind-hearted fatherly benevolence.
Security. Control. Power. Discipline. Abundance.
The king of Wine Jugs depicts a mature man of considerable earthly power, usually depicted as a diplomatic businessman with a lot of practical wisdom. He can be miserly at times. He has a taste for sensual delights and earthly gifts. Here is a man who has a social standing and is big on keeping up appearances. On the downside, he can be a man of phenomenally huge ego, the one whom the questioner daren't cross. The card depicts a man who can help the questioner grasp the social and practical knowledge that he needs to acquire wealth or respectability. As with the rest of the court cards, the appearance of this card may signify contact with a person of this high stature. It does not necessarily indicate material riches to the questioner, unless this has been further supported by other cards.
Reversed Meaning: Authoritative. Domineering. Controlling.
This card can represent an authoritative and domineering man who controls the fortune and finances of another. He can be selfish with his money and use his power malevolently.