♠️
Spade Suit
speyd soot
Definitions
1
Games · Cards
Common
A playing card suit symbol representing one of the four suits in a standard deck of cards, typically black in color and shaped like an inverted heart with a stem.
Used to reference card games, gambling, or as a decorative symbol in digital communication.
Just won with a royal flush in ♠️!
Gaming chat
Vegas trip this weekend! ♠️♣️♥️♦️
Social media post
Often associated with gambling, poker culture, and card games. The Ace of Spades specifically carries additional cultural significance.
2
Symbol · Military
Uncommon
Used to reference the Ace of Spades specifically, which has military connotations from its use as a psychological warfare symbol in the Vietnam War.
Less common usage, typically in military contexts or references to classic rock.
Grandfather served in Vietnam, kept the ♠️ card as a memento.
Military discussion forum
The Ace of Spades was left on bodies of Vietnamese soldiers as a calling card and fear tactic by American troops.
Evolution Timeline
1966
The Ace of Spades gained notoriety during Vietnam War as psychological warfare symbol.
US soldiers using cards as death cards left on enemy bodies.
1980
Motörhead released hit song 'Ace of Spades,' cementing the symbol in rock culture.
The song's popularity linked the spade symbol to rock music and rebellion.
Cultural Context
The Ace of Spades was designated as the 'death card' during the Vietnam War, left by American soldiers as a psychological warfare tactic.
The spade symbol gained rock culture significance through Motörhead's 1980 hit song 'Ace of Spades,' which used the card as a metaphor for living dangerously.
In card game tradition, the spade suit is typically ranked highest in games where suits have hierarchy, giving it an association with power and dominance.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Often used in references to traditional card games like bridge and whist.
United States
Often associated with gambling culture, particularly poker and Las Vegas casinos.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Strong associations with Motörhead's 'Ace of Spades' and card playing culture.
Gen_Z: Primarily used in gaming contexts or as decorative symbol in usernames and social media bios.
Older: Traditional usage related to card games like bridge, hearts, and spades.
Millennials: Used in references to card games, gambling, and occasionally in rock music references.
Common Combinations
♠️♣️♥️♦️
Represents card games, gambling, or casino activities.
Universal symbol set for card games and gambling across most cultures.
A♠️
Specifically represents the Ace of Spades card.
Often considered the most powerful or significant card in many games.
♠️💰
Gambling winnings or betting success.
Used to indicate winning at card games or casino games.