Which card suit is your favorite?

Question

Adventurer23 · Accepted Answer

Hearts, because fun fact: what most people don't know is that the kings, queens and jacks in a deck of cards represent real kings, queens, emperors and other notable people, as well as a few mythological figures in history. The king of hearts, for instance, is King Charlemagne, who apparently is an ancestor in my family tree. King Charlemagne's sword, named "La Joyeuse" (seen pictured below), is also one of the most storied swords in history, and is on display at the Louvre museum in Paris, France. I don't really care about the royal aspect of it, but eventually I'd like to go see it just to see such an old artifact from my family's history.

A short description of each figure on each face card...

King of Spades - David: David was the Great King of Israel from 10th and 11th century BCE. This was the same brave, David who slayed the giant Goliath with the skillful throw of a single stone.

King of Hearts - King Charlemagne or Charles the 1st: Charles the 1st was the King of the Franks from 768 CE and, King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor from 774 CE. He was known as the “Father of Europe”, as his empire united most of Western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire—no wonder he was also called “Charles the Great”.

King of Diamonds - Julius Caesar: Julius Caesar was the General, Consul and dictator of the Roman Republic in the 1st century BCE. He was known for extending the Roman Empire into Western Europe, but did you know his namesake gave us the month of July?

King of Clubs - Alexander the Great: Alexander was the Great King of Macedonia throughout 4th century BCE. By the age of 30, he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from the Ionian Sea to the Himalayas. King Alex was undefeated in battle and to this day, he is still considered one of history’s most successful commanders and legendary figures.

Queen of Spades - Pallas Athena: In Greek religion and mythology, Athena was the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, arts and skill. A mouthful, right? Although she never existed as a real person, she has been the inspiration behind countless monuments, battles, songs, works of literature, and of course the city of Athens which was built in her honor.

Queen of Hearts - Judith: Judith is the fictional heroine of The Book of Judith, from the Old Testament of the Eastern Orthodox Bible. Her story is one of a daring and beautiful Jewish widow, who frees the Israeli people from Assyrian oppression by slaying the General Holofernes.

Queen of Diamonds - Rachel: Another biblical figure, Rachel, was the mother of both Benjamin and the famous Joseph, who led Israel’s tribes in exile from Egypt.

Queen of Clubs - Argine or Argea: Some argue her name is an anagram for “regina”, latin for “Queen”. Others believe the Queen of Clubs represents lady Argea, the mythological mother of Argus, who built the ship Argo from the Ancient Greek story of Jason and the Argonauts.

Jack of Spades - Ogier the Dane: Ogier was the son of the King of Denmark in 8th century CE. He fought at Charlemagne’s side against the Saracens, where he famously slayed the giant Brehus.

Jack of Hearts - La Hire: Étienne de Vignolles, called La Hire, was a French military commander during the Hundred Years’ War, and a close consort of Joan of Arc. La Hire was one of few military leaders who believed in Joan, fighting along her at the battle of Orleans.

Jack of Diamonds - Hector: In Greek mythology, Hector was a Trojan prince (the first son of King Priam) and the greatest fighter for Troy in the Trojan War. He acted as leader of the Trojans and their allies in the defense of Troy, killing 31,000 Greek fighters in all.

Jack of Clubs - Judas Maccabeus or Sir Lancelot (there are two debated attributions for this card):

Judas Maccabeus: Judas Maccabeus was a Jewish priest who led the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire from 167–160 BCE. He is acclaimed as one of the greatest warriors in Jewish history alongside Joshua, Gideon and David.

Sir Lancelot: Sir Lancelot of ‘Knights of the Roundtable’ fame, was the most trusted of King Arthur’s knights and a key player in many of Arthur’s victories. Lancelot is best known for his love affair with Arthur’s wife, Guinevere, and his search for the Holy Grail.

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. 😂