King of Cups
Strong feelings can be guided with wisdom, steadiness, and compassion.
Upright Meaning
The King of Cups represents emotional maturity, wisdom, responsibility, and calm guidance. It suggests someone who can balance feeling with judgment, offer support, and respond to complex situations with compassion and steadiness.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, the King of Cups points to emotional dishonesty, manipulation, imbalance, or hidden motives. It can suggest that feelings are being used unfairly, or that emotional responsibility is being avoided.
Symbolism
The throne set upon the sea, with ship and dolphin, symbolizes the emotional world, fluidity, and mastery of the water element.
The large cup in the right hand and short scepter in the left combine feeling, responsibility, and mature judgment.
The card represents creative wisdom and emotional steadiness in fields such as justice, art, science, law, or spirituality.
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