Spade Symbolism
The Spades suit comes from the French system of playing cards. Traditionally, each of the four suits represented a different group within society, although this may be a later interpretation of the symbols. Spades -- called "piques" in the French system -- represented the nobility, standing in for the lances of knights. Although the name of the suit resembles the digging implement, the name "spade" actually comes from the Italian "spada," which means "sword," the corresponding suit in Italian card decks. In English, as in French, the Spade suit represents weapons.