The King of Cups card illustrates a king sitting on a large throne. He wears a blue tunic and a gold coat – a symbol of his power and status. A small fish charm hangs around his neck expressing his creativity. He holds a cup symbolizing the emotions in his right hand, and his left has a stick, showing power. Distinguishing from the other Cups cards, he doesn’t look at his cup and seems to be concentrated away; maybe he has already conquered his emotional character and doesn’t need to think as hard on this side of himself. The King of Cups seems to be floating on a granite stone in the middle of a stormy sea. Behind him, a fish jumps out of the sea, while on the left, a ship travels firmly despite the waves. These symbols show that this King stays quiet and harmonious, even in turbulent situations, and has learned how to stay clear to his emotions and impulses.

Upright
Emotionally balanced, compassionate, diplomatic
Reversed
Self-compassion, inner feelings, moodiness, emotionally manipulative
Astrology
Cancer, Scorpio, Water
Element
Water
King of Cups

Upright King Of Cups

The King of Cups signifies mastery over the areas of emotion, creativity, and the subconscious. When this card shows up in a Tarot reading, you have obtained control of your emotions and can accept them without letting them get the much of you. Even when life tosses you a curveball, you can move on your emotional development and confidence to help you operate these difficulties.

If you are being tested mentally, the King of Cups advises you to stay emotionally mature when challenged with negative energy from people. Be strong on your boundaries, declaring what is and is not fair in an emotional realm. This King uses his mind to make clever decisions and does not let other events or impulses affect his fundamental morals. Stay faithful to your emotions and beliefs and do not allow other people to direct you off track.

The King of Cups represents the excellent balance between the mind and the heart. Not only are you able to evaluate and control a condition reasonably, but you can also bring upon your intuition. As a leader, you care as much about accomplishing your aims and aspirations as you do about making certain everyone is happy and fulfilled. 

As a King, he has masculine, protective energy, and as a Cups card, he draws his loving self to the lead. He gives smart advice when it comes to emotions and relationships. The King of Cups is sympathetic towards other people, creating powerful connections and relationships based on tolerance and harmony.

Reversed King Of Cups

The reversed King of Cups shows that you are concentrating on your inner feelings. You are exploring the emotions collected in your subconscious mind and how these emotions influence you. Through this work, you hope to obtain a more powerful sense of control over your emotions so that they don’t push you away from living your life. 

When the reversed King of Cups arrives in your reading, you may be more inclined to being upset and drama. You may feel unhappy, depressed, anxious and irregular. You may also be punishing yourself over little things that have gone wrong. If this resonates, try to recognize the root cause of these thoughts and bring your awareness to the influence they are doing on your life. 

The reversed King of Cups could tell that you are repressing your emotions and isolating from the external world because you worry about what may happen if you were to face your emotions. Your emotions are bottling up inside you. If this tension gets too much you are at risk of an emotional outbreak. 

At worst meaning, the reversed King of Cups can symbolize someone who is cruel and has a talent for being able to beat people using emotional manipulation. He makes you feel doubtful about yourself and leads to emotional instability within you. If this seems like someone you have met, you still have to release yourself from his manipulation capabilities.