The King of Cups card is part of the Minor Arcana group, and like all cards in the tarot deck, the King of Cups will have a different reading as it appears in combination with other cards, and according to the querent’s question. But in general, it represents a moment of honesty, kindness and human warmth in the consultant’s life. However, let’s understand better about the King of Cups, next.
Visual description and Symbology of the King of Cups
In the Rider Waite Smith Tarot, the King of Cups depicts a king sitting on a throne and surrounded by water. Thus, we can have the symbolism of the King of Cups interpreted from the following aspects:
The calm waters around the king symbolize a fine line between the conscious and the subconscious in our lives;
The king wears a necklace with an amulet in the shape of a fish, which represents creativity and a resilient spirit;
In the background we can see a ship to the king’s left, and a fish jumping out of the water to his right. Both represent the physical and metaphysical world respectively;
The King holds a golden chalice in one hand and a golden sceptre in the other, in a balance and harmony, indicative of good things on the near horizon.
The King’s cape contains the colors red and yellow, which can respectively symbolize passion and intellect, while his blue robe represents wisdom. There is a balance between feeling, wisdom and intelligence.
King of Cups Keywords
To better understand the interpretations related to the King of Cups card, let’s list the keywords related to it.
Keywords: calm, friendly, wise, balance, romantic, counsellor.
Reversed keywords: emotional immaturity, betrayal, blocked creativity, lack of kindness.
King of cups meaning
As we have already said, when the King of Cups appears in a tarot reading, it will be pointing out positive aspects in relation to the present moment of the querent. In this case, a phase of wisdom and kindness. Furthermore, it also symbolizes that you have reached a stage of emotional control and wisdom to accept the things you cannot change.
So, let’s understand how the meanings of this card can be interpreted for the querent in each type of reading.
Love and Relationships
Regarding the context of love and relationships, the King of Cups has a meaning related to good male figures, such as a good husband and partner.
For those who are already in a relationship, it can indicate a moment of emotional completeness, and that harmony reigns between the couple, without unnecessary discussions.
But in the case of a single person, the King of Cups can signify the close arrival of a mature person for a harmonious relationship. Thus, the King of Cups symbolizes a romantic, wise, mature and loyal male figure, who can be close to the querent.
Money and Career
The King of Cups card is, in essence, a card related to aspects of positivity and harmony for the querent’s career. Thus, it indicates the possibility of an older male figure, who can offer help or guidance in his career.
In general, the King of Cups will indicate a need to look at balancing your personal life and finances. For the querent may be focusing too much on one and neglecting the other. But it also indicates a time of harmony and financial stability.
Health and Spirituality
In terms of physical health, the King of Cups signals that the consultant needs to be more gentle and empathetic with himself, for the sake of his health. But it also points to a path of healing in the case of an already existing illness.
Regarding spirituality, the King of Cups signals that the consultant has an open channel to understand and receive spiritual messages, mainly to help other people. For you have already reached a point where you trust your skills and intuitions.
King of Cups Reversed Meaning
But we know that the reading can vary according to the context in which the card is taken, and it can have an opposite side, or inverted, in the reading of the same card. The reversed King of Cups can indicate a time when the querent is emotionally immature, or very sensitive and emotional.
So, the letter warns of a moment of difficulties. But let’s understand what she means in more specific contexts.
Love and Relationships
For those in a relationship, the inverted King of Cups may indicate that the querent is facing a moment of emotional instability on the part of his partner. Because the partner or consultant may be going through moments of imbalance in their lives, which will also affect the relationship.
For those who are single, the reversed King of Cups may indicate that the querent is entering into a relationship with someone who is married or emotionally unavailable.
In this case, the King of Cups will point out a moment of alert so that the querent does not end up falling into emotional traps and looking for someone mature and available.
Money and Career
In relation to work, the inverted King of Cups may indicate that the querent will have to deal with an unstable male figure that puts pressure on him, breaking the balance and harmony in the work environment.
Already in the financial context, the inverted King of Cups indicates a time to avoid imbalances in spending, and to be careful with scammers and pay attention to who you will trust with your money.
Health and Spirituality
In a reading about health issues, the inverted King of Cups can indicate that there are addictive attitudes that can harm the querent, for example alcohol and drug abuse. So, you need to analyze your life and what is harming you and affecting your health and balance at that point.
On issues of spirituality, the card will point to the negative use of spiritual knowledge and skills. For the querent may be manipulating and harming others with his use of spirituality. You need to focus more on yourself and be careful how you act with others in search of a spiritual path.
King of Cups Yes or No
When the King of Cups is present in a tarot reading that can result in simple Yes or No answers, the answer will be inconclusive. For this card brings a context of both positivity and negativity, depending on the context.
King of Cups Combinations
This card generally brings an aspect of positivity along with the tarot card it comes with.
So let’s get to know some combinations below.
King of Cups and Nine of Pentacles
When these two cards appear combined in a tarot reading, they can indicate that the person who is looking for it will be facing abundance and a good phase of creativity in his life.
King of Cups and Five of Pentacles
This combination indicates that the querent needs to change his place of work or profession.
King of Cups and Queen of Cups
This combination represents that the querent will be facing a moment of great spiritual and personal connection, which will become more meaningful and profound now.
King of Cups – Element, Astrology and other associations
Here are the main associations with the King of Cups.
- Water element
- Planet: None
- Astrological signs: Scorpio
- Key dates: early winter
- Kabbalah: Chokmah – Wisdom
- Yes / No: uncertain, can be a positive or negative card
King of Cups as Personality Types
People born under the influence of the King of Cups card are balanced in their masculine and feminine energies. Thus, they know how to be kind, loving and generous and at the same time have a lot of emotional intelligence.
King of Cups like feelings
Thus, in relation to feelings, people born under the King of Cups may even seem uninterested in what is happening around them, but they observe and know how to be diplomatic, especially with their feelings. For they are masters when it comes to the emotional.
General questions about the King of Cups tarot card
Finally, let’s summarize some general issues that are related to the King of Cups tarot card.
What does the King of Cups Tarot card mean?
The King of Cups card means that the consultant is in a moment of balance and great emotional maturity. Thus, they achieve good results in their relationships and professional relationships, as well as in health and spirituality.
What does the reversed King of Cups card mean in tarot?
In inversion, the King of Cups means that the querent may be in a moment of sensitivity and emotional instability. Thus, all aspects of your life will be affected by the lack of harmony and balance.
How does he/she feel about me in King of Cups?
The King of Cups signals that there are good and generous feelings towards you. So, wait for emotional maturity and the absence of unnecessary arguments.
What does the King of Cups mean in the love tarot?
The King of Cups tarot card means that within a relationship good harmony has been achieved between the couple. Furthermore, for singles it can indicate the imminent arrival of a mature and kind partner, who also possesses wisdom and generosity.