Suit: Cups
King of Cups: tarot card meaning
Emotional maturity, calm and wise kindness.
Yes or no: Yes
Upright position
The King of Cups sits calmly on a throne amid a stormy sea. He feels, but doesn’t drown in emotion. The card is about maturity and the ability to keep your balance.
More about the card
A king sits on a stone throne in the middle of a stormy sea, yet he himself is calm. He holds a cup in one hand and a scepter in the other, with a fish leaping and a ship sailing nearby. The King of Cups is about emotional maturity: the ability to feel deeply and at the same time not let feelings rule your decisions. He is wise, diplomatic and kind. The card suggests staying calm in the storm and answering from the heart, but with a cool head.
Reversed position
The reversed King points to suppressed emotions, manipulation of feelings or coldness.
Symbolism of the card
A throne in the middle of a stormy sea, a leaping fish and a ship nearby. The sea means emotions, and the king’s calm the ability to keep your balance without drowning in feelings.
In love and relationships
A mature, caring partner. Stability without drama.
At work and in finances
Wise leadership, diplomacy, work in the helping professions.
Reversed in love
Suppressed feelings, emotional coldness or manipulation through guilt. Keeping everything inside can end in an outburst. The card suggests talking about emotions honestly and in good time.
As a feeling
A mature, steady affection. Deep feeling is shown calmly.
The card as a person
A wise, level-headed person you can rely on. They are attentive to others’ feelings and know how to support and advise. Often a doctor, psychologist, mentor or caring parent.
As the card of the day
Diplomacy will be needed today. If someone is emotional, don’t catch their wave but answer calmly. A good day for important conversations where heart and reason must be combined.
Yes or no
Yes. A calm, considered approach can bring a good result.
Combinations with other cards
- King of Cups + Queen of Cups
A harmonious couple in which both are emotionally mature and caring.
- King of Cups + Temperance
Calm, healing and the ability to find balance in feelings.
- King of Cups + The Emperor
Heart and authority together: a wise leader or a dependable partner.
Questions to ask yourself
When this card comes up, it helps to answer honestly:
- How do I react when there is a storm around me?
- Which feelings am I keeping inside?
- How can I combine compassion with a firm decision?
The card’s advice
Feel, but decide with a calm head.