King of Cups Tarot Card Meaning
Queen of Cups |
King of Cups |
Ace of Pentacles |
General Meaning
The King of Cups card points to a reliable person within your close circle of family and friends. This individual might be your boss, husband, father, or someone you deeply care about. The Tarot card suggests that you respect and listen to this man’s words and turn to him for advice, comfort, and assistance when needed.
Card Motto
Your feelings are under control — you govern your life and win the hearts of those around you.
by Marta Winter
Core Card Meanings King of Cups
Description and Symbols of the Card King of Cups
This Tarot card depicts a powerful and commanding ruler, confidently seated amidst a turbulent sea on a grand and sturdy throne. In the King's hands are a scepter, representing authority, and a golden cup, symbolizing emotions and inner experiences kept under control.
In the background, a joyful dolphin leaps and a vibrant red ship cuts through the waves, embodying creativity, active progress, and triumph over any circumstances.
Meaning in Upright Position
The King of Cups is your generous and caring protector, a benefactor who approaches you and your challenges with fatherly wisdom and understanding. The King of Cups possesses enough authority and the right connections to navigate even the most tangled and unpleasant situations!
The King of Cups in Tarot can also signify a positive environment at home and work, a friendly atmosphere, an absence of threats, confidence in your abilities, and timely help from those around you. This card holds especially favorable meanings in readings related to family and marriage, indicating a strong union and harmonious relationships.
Furthermore, this Tarot card may suggest that you have reached emotional maturity and inner balance, enabling you to think clearly and act rationally, rather than being swayed by fleeting emotions.
Key Meanings of the Upright King of Cups Card
- A noble, reliable, and responsible man—father, spouse, leader, or protector.
- Strong marriage, deep feelings, peace, and mutual understanding.
- Equilibrium, calmness, tactfulness, attentiveness, a kind heart, empathy, understanding.
Reversed Position
The reversed King of Cups in Tarot suggests the presence of a powerful man among your acquaintances or family, yet your relationship with him is likely strained. His stern and authoritarian nature makes closeness difficult, while his calculating personality keeps you on edge, wary of potential deceit.
When the King of Cups appears reversed, it's crucial not to trust this man, no matter how noble a facade he wears or how enticing his promises may seem. Otherwise, this reversed card may herald losses in personal and professional realms.
This Tarot card serves as a warning against manipulation from those around you, which should be firmly resisted—even if such actions come from loved ones with good intentions. It also hints at the possibility of becoming embroiled in a scandal or challenging situation, leaving you without support in difficult times.
Key Meanings of the Reversed King of Cups
- A vindictive, cruel, and self-serving man.
- A deceiver, thief, liar, amateur, schemer.
- Injustice, betrayal, bad advice, losses, despair, depression, indulging weaknesses, weakness.
- Actions under someone else's influence, manipulation, dependency, abuse.
Meaning in Love Readings
In love readings, the upright King of Cups card speaks of romance and deep emotions. It's the perfect time to enchant, captivate, plan delightful dates, and send waves of feelings and hopes.
This could be the moment when true love enters your life, allowing you to lose yourself completely. Your loved one might not outwardly express their emotions, but they hold an ocean of sincerity, tenderness, and love within — recognize this invaluable source of happiness!
When reversed, the card's meaning shifts to signify emotional manipulation and a desire to avoid relationships.
When Reading for a Suitor or Loved One
In a reading about a suitor or partner, the upright card suggests that your chosen one is someone with steadfast and strong feelings in love. They believe in lifelong love. For them, relationships, family, and love are always top priorities.
The reversed card indicates that in love, your chosen one leans towards traditional roles! In a shared life, they prefer the role of the leader who gets their way in most things. Well, almost everything.
Reading for Money, Career
In business readings, the King of Cups card signifies timely assistance in your endeavors from an influential partner or superior. It also means that you have a handle on your life, wisely harnessing all your creative energy and wisdom to build your career and solve professional challenges.
You are clearly following your calling, not just working for money, and you genuinely enjoy what you do while not forgetting to help those around you. Your financial situation is very stable, with only indulgence in weaknesses and susceptibility to mood swings posing a threat.
When reversed, the meaning of the card flips to indicate debts and excessive spending influenced by emotions.
Reading for a Person
When drawing this card in a reading about a person, the upright King of Cups symbolizes someone with deep, stable emotions, possessing experience and strong intuition. A formidable foe and a loyal friend. They are as reliable as a fortress.
In the reversed position, this card represents an ambitious individual. Driven by their desires, they are willing to overcome any obstacle in their path and are unlikely to compromise their interests for the sake of others.
Reading for Advice
When the King of Cups appears upright in a reading, it encourages you to focus on building strong, lasting, and responsible relationships in every area of your life—whether it's friendship, work, or love.
If the card comes up reversed in a spread, it advises you to avoid pressuring those around you, especially loved ones. This can harm not only them but also yourself.
Reading for Outcome
If the card appears upright, the forecast for your situation is more than favorable. You will achieve everything you strive for and be fully satisfied with the result.
In a reversed position, the forecast for your situation is not very favorable. Obstacles may arise due to rigidity, a desire to pressure those around you, or manipulate their emotions. Remember, a bad compromise is always better than a "good" argument.
Meanings In Combination with All Tarot Cards
Major Arcana Combinations
With card 0, the Fool - To work for the sake of an idea, to be an idealistic fighter, to believe in the common good.
With card 1, the Magician - Seek advice from a specialist, emotional stability, the ability to influence the mood of others.
With card 2, the High Priestess - Hypnosis, visit to a psychologist, issues in the subconscious.
In combination with card 3, the Empress - Parental love, family advice, deep affection.
With card 4, the Emperor - Interest in work, numerous ideas, enthusiasm.
With card 5, the Hierophant - Like-minded individual, a successful partnership, a skillful psychologist.
With card 6, the Lovers - Bold entrepreneur, philanthropist, interest in something.
With card 7, the Chariot - A businessperson, a clever entrepreneur, a specialist in negotiations.
With card 8, Strength - The ability to persuade, a guru or political figure, stunning attractiveness.
With card 9, the Hermit - Science or scientific researcher, successful creativity, public activities (patronage, charity).
With card 10, Wheel of Fortune - Thoughtful generosity, prosperity, a favor in return or debt repayment.
With card 11, Justice - A moralist, forgiving minor offenses, giving a second chance or turning a blind eye to something.
With card 12, the Hanged Man - A demagogue, creating a doctrine or preaching, the gift of words.
With card 13, Death - Empty boasting, false self-confidence, reckless actions.
With card 14, Temperance - A surge of inspiration and success, success in creative endeavors, gaining profit and recognition while pursuing a beloved hobby.
With card 15, the Devil - The gift of eloquence, a charismatic admirer, organizing shady activities.
With card 16, the Tower - A troublemaker and brawler, falling for a "bad boy," a serious conflict in the workplace.
With card 17, the Star - A charismatic personality, a thriving business, rapid advancement towards the goal.
With card 18, the Moon - A crazy idea, a bad innovation, unclear motives, targeting for a long game.
With card 19, the Sun - Success with the opposite sex, charisma, charm, and the gift of eloquence, an excellent match.
With card 20, Judgment - A creative individual, the bohemian lifestyle, mingling in higher circles, a well-known suitor.
With card 21, the World - A true guru, a mystical connection with the universe, enlightenment.
Wands Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Wands — The ability to keep emotions under control, a successful and determined personality, a romance with a mature man.
With the Two of Wands — Attempt to establish personal relationships, a person of higher status, a desire for attention from influential individuals.
With the Three of Wands — Charming man, signs of attention from the opposite sex, casual flirting.
With the Four of Wands — Approval from society or superiors, significant patronage, an influential family friend, a marriage based on agreement and sympathy.
With the Five of Wands — Internal struggle, dealing with one's conscience, reevaluating priorities, or facing an overwhelming task.
With the Six of Wands — Masculine initiative, a not-so-young but charming and persistent admirer, mutual understanding.
With the Seven of Wands — An unclear situation, waiting for confirmation or a final decision, a verbal agreement.
With the Eight of Wands — An amiable older man, resistance to change, old customs or traditions.
With the Nine of Wands — An important interview or conversation, a challenging subject, successful conflict resolution, a skillful orator.
With the Ten of Wands — Strong parental control, a thirst for approval, self-criticism.
With the Page of Wands — A relationship built on trust, a mentor or teacher, shared ideals.
With the Knight of Wands — Emotional turmoil, a burst of energy, an active leader or acquaintance, a womanizer.
With the Queen of Wands — A couple in love or a family, stability and confidence, trust.
With the King of Wands — Negotiations on equal terms, friends, colleagues, or coworkers, a partnership of complementary personalities.
Swords Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Swords — A brilliant solution, a genius move, a successful idea.
With the Two of Swords — Persuading someone to compromise, offering an alternative path or controversial innovation.
With the Three of Swords — Causing suffering or offense to someone, suddenly discovering betrayal or getting caught in an intrigue.
With the Four of Swords — Temporary withdrawal from tasks or socializing, allowing oneself to relax, a period of stagnation.
With the Five of Swords — Starting a domestic quarrel or workplace dispute, losing to a competitor or adversary, realizing one's not as clever as they thought.
With the Six of Swords — Embarking on a journey into the unknown, leaving with a light heart and absence of worries, trying not to lose one's composure.
With the Seven of Swords — A successful trick, gaining more than expected, playing both sides.
With the Eight of Swords — Quieting one's conscience with excuses, attempting to avoid punishment or loss of authority, turning a blind eye to others.
With the Nine of Swords — Being sentimental, expressing emotions, having a nervous breakdown or emotional turmoil.
With the Ten of Swords — Losing tender feelings, the end of a passionate romance, growing out of infatuation, or being disappointed in a partner.
With the Page of Swords — Deeply hurting someone, making enemies, being overly categorical.
With the Knight of Swords — Fighting for love, an emotional outburst, acting in a fit of anger or rage.
With the Queen of Swords — Rejecting or being rejected in love, complete mismatch of interests or principles, being deceived by hopes of romance.
With the King of Swords — Renouncing or changing one's beliefs, facing an impenetrable opponent, acting maliciously or against others' wishes.
King of Cups and Swords Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Cups — Good relationships, being generous with love, hospitality, a welcoming host.
With the Two of Cups — Mature decision in love, the ability to build one's own happiness, deep understanding of feelings.
With the Three of Cups — A corporate event, succumbing to general rejoicing, a mass celebration or calendar holiday.
With the Four of Cups — Engaging in heavy persuasion, offering peace or cooperation, ending hostilities.
With the Five of Cups — Support from a mentor, an assertive man, an optimistic friend.
With the Six of Cups — Trustfulness, the life of the party, a person with broad perspectives.
With the Seven of Cups — Divine inspiration, global thinking or vision of a problem, the ability to distract from difficulties.
With the Eight of Cups — Prudence, a long period of adaptation, dealing with a complex character.
With the Nine of Cups — Maintaining a positive mindset, confidence in one's abilities, being on the right side.
With the Ten of Cups — Marriage, family union, the birth of children.
With the Page of Cups — A warm invitation, an honest offer, a sincere person, a connection with an older man.
With the Knight of Cups — Good relationships with a father figure, an older friend or buddy, a good teacher or role model.
With the Queen of Cups — A harmonious union, emotional unity, equal partners in a relationship.
Pentacles Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Pentacles — A great deal, capital growth, successful entrepreneurial activities.
With the Two of Pentacles — Lack of resources, excessive extravagance, lack of a clear spending system.
With the Three of Pentacles — Starting to implement a plan, good chances of success, opening one's own business.
With the Four of Pentacles — Financial security, having just enough, ability to enjoy what you have.
With the Five of Pentacles — Unsuitable environment, people who pull you down, going through tough times.
With the Six of Pentacles — Encouraging colleagues, being an ideological inspiration, promoting the arts.
With the Seven of Pentacles — Receiving more than expected, getting a reward without effort, boasting about insignificant achievements.
With the Eight of Pentacles — Oratorical skills, ability to use charisma, a charming man, a true master of flirting.
With the Nine of Pentacles — Experiencing material well-being, enjoying a good moment, self-realization.
With the Ten of Pentacles — Earned honor and respect, ability to share profits, justifying parents' hopes.
With the Page of Pentacles — Resourcefulness, the ability to take advantage of the situation, proper upbringing.
With the Knight of Pentacles — Resourcefulness, seizing a profitable opportunity, receiving a reward or recognition.
With the Queen of Pentacles — Creation, fertility and abundance, a male-inspiring figure and a female-practical figure, a successful union.
With the King of Pentacles — Corporate mergers, a long-term business project, close cooperation.
Example Interpretation In a Daily Spread
A Card Has Fallen for You King of Cups? This Signifies:
Today promises rich communication with your closest people—relatives, friends, and your beloved. Someone among them may give you a gift, an interesting proposal, or delight you with news. Most likely, it will be a man (father or your significant other). Today, you can confidently rely on him in any matter, seek his advice, or simply have a heart-to-heart conversation. It will help you understand the situation and resolve the issue that has been troubling you lately.