Ace of Spades: History & Symbolism Explained

Many readers might see the Ace of Spades as nothing more than another innocuous card in the deck. However, to some people, this card carries a heavy energy. People and cultures throughout the world have long considered the Ace of Spades to be a symbol of bad luck and death.

Like symbols of mourning and euphemisms for death, such traditional and/or superstitious beliefs can potentially help us cope with our own mortality by forcing us to confront it, even if they also induce fear.

This brief guide will cover some of those beliefs, describing how their roots in early fortune-telling influenced modern interpretations of the Ace of Spades. It will also explore how pop culture has kept these superstitions alive (no pun intended) throughout the years.

Jump ahead to these sections:

• What’s the Meaning of the Ace of Spades, or Death Card?
• Why Is the Ace of Spades Called the Death Card?
• What Else Does the Ace of Spades Symbolize?
• Is the Ace of Spades Bad Luck?
• Examples of the Ace of Spades in Popular Culture

What’s the Meaning of the Ace of Spades, or the Death Card?

The Ace of Spades symbolizes many different fearful ideas or experiences depending on the context. In numerous cultures, its dark color (or lack thereof) associates it with imminent death, bad fortune, disaster, hatred, war, and even the end of the world. 

There’s also reason to suspect these beliefs stem not only from the card’s dark color but also from the fact that we use spades to dig into the earth. That means some might easily associate a spade with digging a plot for a casket or coffin.

Why Is the Ace of Spades Called the Death Card?

While it’s true that beliefs about the Ace of Spades symbolizing death date back centuries, in modern times, people began commonly referring to the Ace of Spades as the Death Card after the Vietnam War.

Before the Vietnam War, the French occupied the Indo-China region to which Vietnam belongs. They brought with them a range of customs. Telling fortunes with cards was one. In the French fortune-telling tradition, an Ace of Spades indicates bad luck or death in one’s future. 

United States troops in the Vietnam War heard this caused some superstitious Vietnamese to fear the card to such a degree that they’d retreat at the very sight of it. Thus, two Lieutenants from Company C, Second Battalion, 35th Regiment, 25th Infantry Division actually contacted the Bicycle playing card company asking if they’d provide decks containing only the Ace of Spades. According to the company’s account, Bicycle honored this request, sending thousands of such decks at no charge.

The troops who received the Ace of Spades-only decks reportedly used them as a means of promoting fear among the Viet Cong. They would place the Ace of Spades cards on the corpses of slain enemy combatants, leave them in villages, scatter them in the jungle, and according to some reports, even wear them in their helmets, as if to tell the enemy they brought death with them.

Fear of the Ace of Spades may not have been as widespread in Viet Cong soldiers as some reports claim. This type of psychological warfare maintains some of its roots in western assumptions that eastern foreigners may be more superstitious than their American invaders. Regardless, this helped propel the idea that the Ace of Spades is an omen of ill fortune.

What Else Does the Ace of Spades Symbolize?

Although it has been common throughout various cultures to associate the Ace of Spades with death, that is not its only symbolic meaning. Some symbolic interpretations of this card have positive connotations.

For example, the Ace of Swords is essentially the equivalent of the Ace of Spades in tarot decks. Some have even argued the Ace of Swords represents an evolution of the Ace of Spades from earlier tarot decks.

The Ace of Spades/Swords can have multiple meanings in this context. While it can still symbolize death or conflict, it can also suggest that one is cutting away old ties and burdens to pave the way for a future in which one can thrive. 

This interpretation corresponds with some general symbolic interpretations of the very concept of death. While many regard death as a negative experience a person should fear, others consider death to be a means of moving from one stage of existence to the next stage, which may be one of greater spiritual fulfillment. Thus, how a particular individual or culture interprets the ace of spades can tell us a lot about their views on death and dying.

Additionally, the “death” the Ace of Spades represents does not have to be a literal death. It can be the death of an old self that no longer serves its purpose. It is often necessary to let the past die to progress in life. The Ace of Spades may symbolize this idea for some.

Is the Ace of Spades Bad Luck?

Those exposed to French fortune-telling may not have been the only ones who considered the Ace of Spades to represent bad luck. Throughout history, it hasn’t been uncommon for some gamblers to believe that the Ace of Spades also represents poor fortune. 

None of this is to say the Ace of Spades actually does bring about bad luck. In fact, if you give in to the belief that the Ace of Spades will cause you to experience poor fortune, you may genuinely be more likely to fall prey to bad fortune in the future.

Researchers have found that when people believe in certain bad omens, if they encounter those omens or symbols, they may experience a psychological effect that results in a state of fear, uncertainty, and lack of confidence. The opposite, however, is true. Exposing people to good luck symbols (if they believe in them) increases confidence and optimism.

Both of these states can easily affect the future. For example, maybe you’re a superstitious person on your way to take an important test, and you come across an Ace of Spades in some form. This could make you so fearful that you perform below your abilities on the test. Your mental state will distract you. However, because you’re superstitious, you may associate the poor outcome with the Ace of Spades you saw, reaffirming your belief that the card is bad luck.

This isn’t to dismiss all superstitions. These kinds of traditional beliefs can play an important role in a person’s cultural and personal life. Just remember that putting too much emphasis on a belief in bad luck symbols could potentially cause you to experience more “bad luck” than you otherwise would. This self-fulfilling prophecy might even explain why superstitious beliefs about the Ace of Spades have persisted for so long.

Examples of the Ace of Spades in Popular Culture

Although its role in the Vietnam War is the reason many people today refer to the Ace of Spades as the Death Card, remember, beliefs associating the card with bad luck and death pre-date the war.

So, it may come as no surprise to learn that the Ace of Spades has symbolized death in a range of pop culture dating back to over a century ago. The following are some particularly noteworthy examples:

Motorhead

Pioneering hard rock group Motorhead has plenty of tunes that heavy metal and punk fans alike consider classics. However, the band’s most well-known track has long been “Ace of Spades” from the album of the same name. Even those unfamiliar with the band may recognize the first few seconds of the iconic opening bass riff.

The song’s lyrics reflect the superstitious beliefs of gamblers about the card that gives the track its name. The song is told from the POV of a gleefully self-destructive gambler who claims “the only card I need is the Ace of Spades” as he describes the, uh, “joys” of living recklessly, losing money routinely, and happily accepting his life won’t last forever. All of this corresponds with the belief that the Ace of Spades represents bad luck and death.

I Love Lucy

The I Love Lucy episode “Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her” gave audiences a more comedic take on Ace of Spades superstitions. During one scene in the episode, Lucy and her friend Ethel are telling fortunes with playing cards.

When Ethel deals the cards to tell Lucy’s fortune, fear overtakes her. Lucy asks why she’s so afraid, and Ethel admits the Queen of Hearts she dealt represents Lucy, and the Ace of Spades represents death. This causes Lucy to fearfully assume her husband plans to murder her. (Of course, anyone familiar with the show knows that was never an actual possibility!)

Carmen

Superstitious beliefs about the Ace of Spades don’t merely show up in recent pop culture. Older cultural works also include references.

For instance, in Act III of the opera Carmen, the title character and her friends tell their fortunes with cards. The appearance of the Ace of Spades (spoilers ahead!) worsens Carmen’s fear that her death is imminent. This fear sadly turns out to be warranted when her jealous ex-lover murders her.

Pinocchio

Ace of Spades superstitions play such a prominent role in culture that they even appear in cute Disney films for kids.

Specifically, in Pinocchio, the ironically-named Honest John tricks the title puppet into visiting the dangerous Pleasure Island by giving him a “ticket” in the form of an Ace of Spades.

Toy Story 2

In Pixar’s first Toy Story sequel, Andy’s beloved Woody rips his arm, causing Andy to decide bringing Woody with him to Cowboy Camp is not a good idea.

This essentially triggers an existential episode for Woody, who spends much of the movie worrying that Andy will eventually grow tired of him. In one (literally) nightmarish sequence, Woody has a dream in which Andy discards him to join numerous other pieces of broken toys in a trash heap. Before winding up in the trash, this nightmare version of Woody falls through a pile of cards, all of which are the Ace of Spades.

Trouble for Two

Trouble for Two is a 1936 film in which a prince visits England before an arranged marriage and learns of a strange “suicide club.” Members of the club consist of wealthy individuals who wish to die but feel unable to end their own lives.

The club members gather and draw cards to see who dies next. The member next to die is the one who draws the Ace of Spades. The member who draws the Ace of Clubs must serve as the executioner. It’s not an easy film to track down, but still, one that might interest those who find Ace of Spades lore fascinating.

Armand de Brignac

Armand de Brignac is a French champagne brand rapper Jay-Z purchased in 2014. Despite its official name, many refer to the wine as Ace of Spades.

This is due to the unique design of the bottle. Armand de Brignac’s bottle features a prominent Ace of Spades, and Jay-Z has used this name to promote the champagne in various songs. 

There’s not much evidence to suggest anyone designing the bottle chose this particular logo due to the symbolism of the Ace of Spades. The designers likely chose this image because it boasts a simple but effective visual appeal.

Animal Farm

There is a passage in George Orwell’s satire Animal Farm when both humans and pigs meet for what they plan to be a courteous and respectful dinner party. However, a pig character and a human character draw an Ace of Spades simultaneously during a poker game, causing the party to descend into frenzied conflict.

Some critics believe this moment symbolizes the Tehran Conference. Although many hoped this historic meeting would unify allies, it ended up laying the foundation for a decades-long conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Fallout: New Vegas

In the post-apocalyptic video game Fallout: New Vegas, one character gives himself the nickname “Ten of Spades.” We learn that he wanted to go by “Ace of Spades,” but his commanding officer vetoed that idea because he had not killed enough enemies yet to earn such a title.

According to the logic of the commanding officer, Ten of Spades would have to work his way up to such a moniker. A few more kills and he could earn a promotion to “Jack of Spades,” then “Queen of Spades,” etc. It’s a not-so-subtle nod to our association between the Ace of Spades and death.

The Ace of Spades: A Symbol (and Reminder) of Death

Hopefully, this brief guide helped you more thoroughly understand the Ace of Spades’ symbolic relevance in numerous cultures.

Just keep in mind, a symbol of death doesn’t need to be a negative symbol. It can instead serve as a powerful reminder to live life to the fullest while you still can—thanks, Motorhead.

Sources:

1. Burn, Shawn M. “Very Superstitious.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, LLC, 16 October 2018, Psychologytoday.com
2. Childs, Fred. “Ace of Spades.” Charlie Company Vietnam 1966-1972, Charlie Company, 31 August 2018, Charliecompany.org
3. “Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her.” I Love Lucy, CBS, 1951, Cbs.com
4. Olderr, Steven. “Symbolism: A Comprehensive Dictionary.” McFarland & Company, Inc., 2012.
5. “Our History.” Bicycle, The United States Playing Card Company, Bicyclecards.com
6. Webster, Richard. “The Encyclopedia of Superstitions.” Llewellyn Publications, 2008.