King of Cups
Minor Arcana · Cups
Keywords
emotional balancediplomacywisdomcalm
Reversed Keywords
emotional manipulationvolatilitycoldness
Card Imagery
A king sits on a stone throne amid a turbulent sea, yet remains calm and composed. He holds a cup in one hand and a sceptre in the other. A fish leaps from the water on one side and a ship sails on the other — the conscious and subconscious are both in his domain.
Upright Meaning
The King of Cups has mastered his emotions without suppressing them. He's diplomatic, wise, and calm under pressure. He leads with emotional intelligence and makes decisions that balance the head and the heart.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, the King of Cups may indicate emotional manipulation, volatility, or coldness. Someone in a position of authority may be using emotions as a tool of control, or suppressing feelings entirely.