BARBIE TAROT

Swords/Hats

Swords were the hardest suit to translate for this Tarot, as there are almost no swords for the dolls -- a couple of the Prince Kens carry ceremonial weapons, but the battlefields of Barbie tend to be of a more visually and stylistically competitive nature. Since Swords are the suit representing the element of air, I chose hats -- something for which Barbie couture is well-known, and which can indicate majesty, dignity, wit and practicality or aloofness, arrogance, flamboyance and a desire to appear dominant.

Ace of Hats      The Pirate from Barbie Loves Pop Culture
This swashbuckling Barbie carries a sword and wears velvet breeches as well as a single gold hoop earring. The Ace is a card of new beginnings, which in this suit means seeking justice, fortitude and inner strength...and donning a tri-corner hat to face the perils of the high seas.

Two of Hats      Tano from the Byron Lars Series
The woman portrayed in the Rider-Waite parallel to this card holds two swords, but she is blindfolded. The card thus represents strength and a display of power but also a sense of stalemate and being uncertain of the best course of action. Tano is both regal ethnic character and a high-fashion display of same; her headpiece is an elaborate birdcage that holds a bright bird captive.

Three of Hats      Spellbound Lover from Legends of Ireland
The Three of Swords in the Rider-Waite deck bears the unhappy image of a heart stabbed through by three daggers. This Barbie is Isolde, standing on the ship that will take her to her husband Mark and about to drink the love potion that will bind her to Tristan; of course the love triangle will end badly, with feelings of heartbreak, betrayal and no way to avoid significant upheaval.

Four of Hats      Princess Of The Nile from the Princess Collection
The Four of Swords is a card of rest and rebirth, illustrated in many decks with the tomb of a warrior. This Ancient Egyptian Barbie wears the serpent and falcon symbols as she stands by the monuments to her ancestors.

Five of Hats      Carnaval from Festivals of the World
This card is associated with gleeful self-interest, even a devil-may-care attitude that leads to dishonor. Here we see Barbie dressed for Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, where she may very well wear too little, drink too much and dance too flamboyantly but her reputation is really the last thing she's concerned about in this sexy get-up.

Six of Hats      Pilgrim from the American Stories Collection
The Six of Swords, which typically depicts a voyage in a boat, represents journeys, starting again and recovering from old wounds. Here is Barbie just arrived off the Mayflower, ready to make a new life in the New World.

Seven of Hats      Princess of Ancient Mexico from the Princess Collection
Barbie wears the ceremonial headdress of Aztec nobility on a card that represents self-reliance, isolation and seeking one's own counsel over that of others. Despite an appearance of grand hauteur, this princess' empire was decimated by Cortes and his followers.

Eight of Hats      Illusion from Masquerade Gala
With another Rider-Waite illustration that features a blindfolded subject, this card is associated with restriction, deception and struggle. Though Barbie looks stunning in her ball gown, she has brought a mask to hide behind.

Nine of Hats      Native American Barbie from the North America Collection
This is a card that intimates at impending disaster, the possibility of powerlessness and gut-wrenching grief. This Barbie is dressed ceremonially in buckskins with beads and a feather in her headdress, but like too many other Indian princesses, her costume serves as a reminder of what has been destroyed as well as a celebration of her people.

Ten of Hats      Juliet from the Together Forever Collection
The Ten of Swords depicts utter ruin -- an image of death far more absolute than the Death card itself. This is the heroine from perhaps the most famous romantic tragedy in the world. The positive aspect of this card is that it signifies letting go, as the warring families in the play finally end their feuding to share their grief.

Princess of Hats      Princess of China from the Princess Collection
An image of dexterity and grace, this princess' headdress is constructed partly from her own adorned hair, enabling her to embody the characteristic diplomacy and fortitude she presents.

Prince of Hats      Coca-Cola Ken
The Knight of Swords is blunt and opinionated to the point of being overbearing. Here we see Ken advertising Coca-Cola on his hat, his shirt, his apron...there is no subtlety whatsoever in his message!

Queen of Hats      George Washington from FAO Exclusives
Here is Barbie as the great American President and Revolutionary War hero; though she does not carry his sword, she does wear his hat. The Queen is astute, upright and confident -- all qualities associated with General Washington.

King of Hats      Arthur and Guinevere from the Together Forever Collection
The King of Swords symbolizes a wise counselor whose intellectual and analytical skills benefit his sense of justice. King Arthur had all those qualities, though they did not keep his wife from falling for the most gifted of his knights.