King of Cups
Deluxe Astrology's tarot card encyclopedia documents the King of Cups with upright and reversed meanings, full cosmic correspondences (Cups, Water element), love and career context, yes/no guidance (yes), numerological ties, and crystal associations. Free, no registration required.
“I master my emotions with wisdom and steady compassion.”
14: the wise ruler of water
Upright Meaning
Emotional balance, generosity, and diplomacy. Master your emotions while remaining compassionate and wise.
Reversed Meaning
Emotional manipulation, moodiness, and volatility. Emotions may be used as weapons or suppressed entirely.
Card Description
The King of Cups commands the emotional realm with calm authority. He balances the heart and mind, offering wise counsel and steady compassion.
Frequently Asked Questions About King of Cups
What does the King of Cups mean in a love reading?
In a love reading, the King of Cups (Cups, Water element) reflects balance, generosity, diplomacy. Emotional balance, generosity, and diplomacy. Master your emotions while remaining compassionate and wise. Reversed in a relationship context, it suggests Emotional manipulation, moodiness, and volatility. Emotions may be used as weapons or suppressed entirely.
What does the King of Cups mean in a career reading?
For career and work, the King of Cups upright points to balance and generosity. Emotional balance, generosity, and diplomacy. Master your emotions while remaining compassionate and wise. If it appears reversed, watch for Emotional manipulation, moodiness, and volatility. Emotions may be used as weapons or suppressed entirely.
Is the King of Cups a yes or no card?
The King of Cups is traditionally a yes card in yes-or-no tarot readings. Its energy supports forward movement, affirmative answers, and positive momentum when drawn upright. Reversed, consider the answer conditional on surrounding cards.
What does the King of Cups reversed mean?
When the King of Cups appears reversed in a tarot reading, it indicates Emotional manipulation, moodiness, and volatility. Emotions may be used as weapons or suppressed entirely. The reversed meaning is not simply the opposite of upright — it often signals the same energy turned inward, blocked, or overdone rather than its literal negation.