The Meaning of
the "Ace of Cups" Tarot Card
Tarot Quick Info
What is the inverted meaning of
the "Ace of Cups"?
The Meaning of
Tarot Card
The Symbolism of the Ace of Cups
On the Ace of Cups card, we see a dove dropping what looks like a communion wafer into a cup which is being held aloft by a divine hand.
Water flows out of the cup into the pond below.
Little blue drops fall from the cup, which is adorned with either a "W" or an upside-down "M", depending on the interpretation.
Lily pads and lilies adorn the pond below, seemingly made fertile by the dew from the cup.
NOTE: There is much debate about the letter 'M' or 'W' which appears on the side of the cup/grail on the Ace of Cups card. The short answer for those wondering what it means is: No one knows. But there are many theories. If it's an 'M' it may stand for Mary, which makes some sense given the overt Christian symbolism of the card. If it's a 'W' it may stand for "Waite", as in Arthur Waite of the "Rider Waite" tarot deck. The mystery is unlikely to be solved any time soon.
How to Interpret the Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups is a vessel overflowing with creativity, joy, contentment and fertility. Spiritual abundance spills forth and nurtures us.
The Ace of Cups is often a sign that creative pursuits will be very successful. Your heart is open to creative opportunities and the possibility of new things, new ideas and new life.
On a more literal level, the traditional symbol of a communion wafer being brought to the cup by the dove may be a reference to the transubstantiation of Christ.
The presence of the Ace of Cups often heralds a new relationship or business partnership. It also suggests a time of giving of oneself.
The presence of the Ace of Cups often heralds a new relationship or business partnership. It also suggests a time of giving of oneself.
If one views the tarot as a cycle, ending with the World card at the end of the Major Arcana, then the Ace of Cups is not just the start of the Minor Arcana but a rebirth of the entire tarot cycle. It is the distillation of the lessons of the Major Arcana into a more simplistic form.
It is creativity, peace and rebirth.
The Ace of Cups Inverted
The Ace of Cups reversed can have several different interpretations.
It may mean that the creative and emotionally positive forces of the upright position are blocked somehow — or restrained. The normal wellspring of emotion, creativity or friendship is being affected negatively by someone, something or an ongoing trend.
The normal wellspring of emotion, creativity or friendship is being affected negatively by someone, something or an ongoing trend.
The Ace of Cups reversed may also serve as a reminder to internalize many of the creative lessons represented by the upright position. Love yourself. Work to better understand yourself — and ultimately, work to improve yourself.
Common Symbols Found On the Ace of Cups Card
Tarot cards often use a a common symbology to visually communicate hints about each card. The Ace of Cups includes at least six common, repeating Tarot symbols. Each of these common symbols can add greater dimensions of interpretation to the card.
The symbols which appear on the Ace of Cups card are:
The Divine Hand
The divine hand symbolism appears on the Ace of Cups card:
The iconic "Divine Hand" symbol from the classic Rider-Waite deck, is prominently featured on all the Ace cards of each Minor Arcana suit. Typically depicted as a ghostly white, floating hand extending from a gaseous cloud, the hand represents a spark of initiation or creation — a divine, primal force of beginnings, and a universal source of energy.
Yod Symbols
Yod symbols appear on the Ace of Cups card:
"Yod" (or "Yodh") is simplest of all Hebrew letters. Despite being a tiny letter, it contains enormous Kabbalistic and spiritual importance. It's also a revered letter in the mystic beliefs of Freemasons. Two Yod symbols written together are frequently used to represent the name of God in ancient Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts. The abbreviation is used out of respect, instead of having to actually write God's name.
NOTE: The Ace of Cups shows more Yods than any other card in the Tarot, signifying the mystery, power and importance inherent in the act of creation.
Birds
Birds symbolism appears on the Ace of Cups card:
Birds shown on Tarot cards generally fall into one of two distinct categories: Birds that are identifiable (like eagles, ibis birds, etc.) and flocks of tiny, unidentifiable birds which are shown flying far away in the distance. All the court cards in the Suit of Swords fall into the latter category. These tiny birds remind us that the Swords suit is bound to the classical element of Air. While each of the identifiable birds, has its own specific interpretation, birds in general all represent freedom — both a psychological freedom, and freedom from physical barriers.
NOTE: The descending bird depicted on the Ace of Cups card is a dove. The pre-Christian symbolic interpretation of doves is that they were the messengers of the Greek love-goddess Aphrodite. In Judeo-Christian beliefs, the dove is sometimes seen as a messenger from Heaven. In the Ace of Cups, the dove carries the gift of Spirit to the world — or the sacred to the physical world. The dove pictured here is the deliverer of spiritual nourishment.
Water
Water symbolism appears on the Ace of Cups card:
In Tarot illustrations, water appears in many forms — ranging from small pools, to winding rivers and streams, to wide seas and oceans. While each of these types of water may carry a more specific meaning, water in all situations symbolizes nourishment, emotion and our intuitive nature. In the Tarot deck, water is more commonly found in the Minor Arcana cards, and is more often (but not exclusively) linked to the Suit of Cups.
Pools of Water
Pools of water symbolism appears on the Ace of Cups card:
More than rivers, streams or oceans — standing pools of water in classic Tarot imagery indicate peaceful wellsprings of spiritual and psychic energy. Accompanied by natural life, or symbols of Divine power, pools of water often suggest positive messages of creation, replenishment and sustenance.
Grey skies
Grey skies symbolism appears on the Ace of Cups card:
Sky colors in Tarot imagery often hide subtle clues pointing to the meaning of the card. Grey-colored skies generally point to a level of the unknown. This overcast or grey colored sky is not entirely bad, nor very positive.
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