Antique Chess I by Ethan Harper @ Art.com
In the game of chess, the king is the sun, the heart, the forces of law and order, his moves are limited by manifestation (Cooper). The evolution of the king’s position of power and influence and the symbolism of the king is reflected in the following list.
The five Buddhist kings of Tibet – known as the Mahapancaraja; comprised of astrologers, magicians, protectors of monasteries, and state oracles; often depicted with broad brimmed hats and flowing garments:
Bi-har – king of deeds
Chos-skyon – king of magic
dGra-lha – king of the body
Klu-dban – king of speech
Thok-chho – king of accomplishments
King of clubs – the idea of spirit
King of hearts – the pattern of spirit
King of spades – processes requisite to the manifestation of spirit
King of diamonds – actualized manifestation of spirit
King Arthur – dragon slayer; liberator of the enchanted, protector of women
King of beasts – lion
King Brown – also known as King Bruin, a title of King Lud, British sun deity known as Imanuence
King George – a corruption of Saint George
King of Goldmar – German folk lore house spirit; an invisible wind demon also known as King Vollmar
King Lear judgment – shortsighted judgment
King Noble – lion in medieval satirical beast epic; symbolizes royalty
King of horses – Chinese symbol depicted as an ugly monster with three eyes and four arms holding weapons, found at wayside shrines, believed to protect horses from evil spirits
King of Ireland’s Son – legendary Irish character, lured away to the lands of the immortals by fairy-women
King of Kings – Christ or God; title also used by oriental rulers
King of metals – gold
King of Misrule – during the middle ages an officer attached to English aristocratic houses; “he presided over Christmas revels, and he and his attendants, grossly attired, provided with dragons, hobbyhorses, and musicians, created a great din. At the end of the ceremonies the king suffered a mock death to the feigned grief or genuine delight of the populace“ (Jobes, pg. 930“); also known as Abbot of Unreason, Bishop of Fools, King of the Bean on the Twelfth Night, Lord of misrule, Master of unreason
King of Saturnalia – ancient Roman king who impersonated the god of the sprouting seed; after five days of glory he was sacrificed in a fertility rate
King of Tenedos – ancient Italian king who passed a law stating anyone who committed adultery would be beheaded with an ax; he did not spare his own adulterous son
King of terrors – Death
King of the forest – the oak
King of the jungle – tiger
King of the May – vegetation spirit of medieval Europe; he was dressed in bark and decked with garlands; during a fertility rate, he was pursued by armed attendants who performed a mock decapitation; this ceremonial death was followed by a resurrection
King Pecheur – from the Holy Grail; uncle of Percivale and possessor of the Holy Grail and sacred lance
King Petaud – a lesser king who subjects ignore his authority; from the French phrase, King Petaud’s court, meaning confusion and disorder
King Sacripant – a brave and boisterous man, from Tassoni’s poem
King’s evil – Scrofula (tuberculosis); from the belief that the king’s touch could cure disease
Lame king – “Holy kings acquired lameness either as a penalty for a victory or in imitation of a dislocation suffered in a wrestling match. Jacob, who wrestled all night with an angel, was so lamed“ (Jobes pg. 931); ruler of a diseased kingdom suffering from winter or drought – the land’s health tied to the king’s health
Unblemished King – represents the spring sun; the ruler of a flourishing kingdom
See Bibliography post for references.