King of Cups
Affirmation
I strive to be stable and fair-minded.
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:Fire of Water.
- Arcana:Minor Arcana
- Suit:Cups
- Archetype:
- Numerology:
- Hebrew Alphabet:
Keywords
Description
He holds a short sceptre in his left hand and a great cup in his right; his throne is set upon the sea; on one side a ship is riding and on the other a dolphin is leaping. The implicit is that the Sign of the Cup naturally refers to water, which appears in all the court cards.
Light Meaning
- Keeping a stiff upper lip
- Being brave and clear in the face of adverse circumstances
- Sharing experience as a way of comforting others
- Making fair and empathetic decisions
- Honoring the spirit, not just the letter, of the law
Shadow Meaning
- Allowing yourself to become rigid and unemotional
- Making unfair decisions based on a hidden agenda
- Making decisions without regard for their emotional impact on others
- Abusing spiritual authority
- Using emotional or spiritual leverage to exercise unhealthy control over others
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •What wise person could be consulted for good advice?
- •How can I make sure I'm being as objective and fair as possible?
- •To what extent am I capable of keeping a stiff upper lip?
Personal Meaning
Calm, gentleness, serenity, wisdom, diplomacy, compassion, patience, tolerance and healing, or a mature person who will bring these qualities into his or her relationship with you.
Calm, gentleness, serenity, wisdom, diplomacy, compassion, patience, tolerance and healing, or a mature person who brought these qualities into his or her relationship with you.
Calm, gentleness, serenity, wisdom, diplomacy, compassion, patience, tolerance and healing. Examine your situation and find ways to infuse it with this energy.Also, a mature person who brings these qualities into his or her relationship with you. Appreciate the calm serenity and wisdom this relationship brings to your life for these energies are especially important for you at this time.
Personal Reversed Meaning
The calm, gentle, serene, wise, diplomatic, compassionate, patient, tolerantand healing qualities of the King of Cups are being blocked at this time. Take the time and care to cultivate these attributes.
The calm, gentle, serene, wise, diplomatic, compassionate, patient, tolerantand healing qualities of the King of Cups are being blocked at this time, or you have had difficulty with a person displaying these characteristics.
The calm, gentle, serene, wise, diplomatic, compassionate, patient, tolerantand healing qualities of the King of Cups are being blocked at this time. Take the time to work on cultivating these attributes.
Fortune Telling
- •This card represents an older man with a gentle, sensitive presence, likely born between February 9th and March 10th, who is known for his fairness and tolerance
How to Interpret This Card in a Reading
A guide to deepening your understanding of Tarot symbolism.
Context is Key
No Tarot card exists in a vacuum. While the meanings above provide a foundation, the true significance of this card depends on where it lands in your spread. Is it in the past position, indicating a phase you are moving away from? Or is it in the outcome position, suggesting a potential future? Always consider the neighboring cards — they often tell a story that modifies or amplifies the message.
Trust Your Intuition
Traditional meanings are the starting point, but your intuition is the compass. When you look at the card imagery, what draws your eye first? A specific color, a symbol, or a facial expression might trigger a personal memory or feeling. That immediate reaction is often the most relevant message for your current situation, even if it differs from the standard definition.
Understanding Reversals
If this card appears reversed (upside down), don't fear it. Reversals often suggest an internalizing of the card's energy, a delay, or a need to revisit the lesson before moving forward. It can also indicate that the "shadow" aspects described above are currently more active, inviting you to bring them into the light for healing.
Connecting with the Element
Remember the suit this card belongs to. Wands speak to passion and action (Fire). Cups dive into emotions and relationships (Water). Swords navigate the mind and conflicts (Air). Pentacles ground us in the material world and resources (Earth). The Major Arcana represents larger life themes and soul lessons. Filtering the card's meaning through its elemental lens will give you a grounded, practical way to apply its wisdom to your life.