Minor Arcana · Cups
King of Cups
The still water
Upright meaning
Strong feeling held under control. The person who stays calm when everyone else loses it.
Reversed meaning
Feelings suppressed, quiet manipulation, or coldness covering a wound.
What is in the picture
His throne floats on a moving sea, and yet his feet never touch the water. Behind him a ship sails on and a fish leaps clear of a wave. A fish amulet hangs at his neck. Everything around him is in motion while he sits still — this is someone regulating his own feeling while conditions pitch about.
Love
A mature partner, steady in their feelings.
Career
Leading through composure and fairness.
About this suit
Cups are about feeling, love and relationship. The inner world: what you feel, what you long for, and how you connect.
One thing you can do
In the difficult conversation coming up, lower your voice rather than raise it. This card wins by composure, not by argument.
Is King of Cups a yes or a no?
Yes, if you handle it calmly. This card backs whoever keeps a cool head in an emotional situation.
Beside another card
A card changes meaning according to what sits next to it. These are the two most common pairings — tap through to read the other card.
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