The Meaning of
the "Queen of Cups" Tarot Card
Tarot Quick Info
What is the inverted meaning of
the "Queen of Cups"?
The Meaning of
Tarot Card
The Symbolism of the Queen of Cups
On the Queen of Cups card we see a beautiful, powerful woman seated on an ornate, engraved throne by the sea.
Her cloak seamlessly blends into the waters at her feet, connecting her to the concept of water.
Her throne is adorned with aquatic cherubs and a large seashell design. The watery pattern of her cloak seamlessly blends into the waters at her feet, connecting her to the concept of water.
Her cup is far more ornate than the cups used by every other card in the Suit of Cups, including the King's. The Queen's cup is ornate and decorated with winged angels. Unlike all the other cups, hers is closed at the top and seems to contain something. It may even be a censer for burning incense.
The queen herself gazes intently at the cup, as if she is seeing visions within it, or communing with something within.
How to Interpret the Queen of Cups
As with all court cards, the Queen of Cups may reference a specific person in your readings. The Queen of Cups represents someone who is warm, compassionate, motherly, creative and wise. She cares deeply for those around her and her actions are guided by her heart and by intuition.
In many cases she is connected on some level to water, enjoying the ocean, lakes, rivers and streams — or perhaps living near them.
The Queen of Cups is someone who understands the emotions of others and is able to listen intently, making her an excellent confidante and advisor.
Use your heart and your intuition where logic fails — and apply creativity and emotional intelligence to the situation.
At those times when this card is not referencing a specific person, it is often a reminder to apply The Queen of Cups' qualities to the situation at hand.
The card reminds us to use our hearts and our intuition where logic fails — and apply creativity and emotional intelligence to the situation.
The Queen of Cups represents a way of thinking and dealing with others. Hers is an intuitive, empathic, warm and constructive wavelength of communication and decision-making.
When the Queen of Cups comes up in a reading, we are being gently reminded to set aside our calculating side and think with our hearts.
The Queen of Cups Inverted
The reversed Queen of Cups card carries more than one possible interpretation.
The Queen represents intuitive, emotional reasoning and creative approaches. In an inverted position however, the appearance of the Queen of Cups suggests that such thinking may not be best in all cases.
What is called for is a less emotional mode of thinking. Perhaps even cold, hard logic.
There are times when despite a natural tendency to use emotions and natural-insight, what is called for is a less emotional mode of thinking. Perhaps even cold, hard logic.
Another possible interpretation is that all that emotional giving and all that selfless behavior may have left the Queen drained of energy. There are times when even the most generous and thoughtful person needs some self-love.
The appearance of the Queen of Cups might be an indication that there's a little too much caring going on, and not enough time being spent on you.
Lastly, the appearance of the Queen of Cups reversed can suggest that emotions have been cut off somehow. Something is blocking normal intuitive or emotional thought.
Common Symbols Found On the Queen of Cups Card
Tarot cards often use a a common symbology to visually communicate additional hints about the meaning of the card. The Queen of Cups includes at least two common, repeating Tarot symbols. Each of these common symbols can add additional levels of meaning to the card.
The symbols which appear on the Queen of Cups card are:
Water
Water symbolism appears on the Queen of Cups card:
In Tarot illustrations, water comes in multiple forms — ranging from rain, to small pools, to winding rivers and streams, to endless seas and oceans. Although each one of these types of water may imply a more specific meaning, water in broad strokes represents emotion, nourishment and intuition. Water is more common in the Minor Arcana cards, and is very often (but not always) linked to the Suit of Cups.
Cherubs
Cherubs symbolism appears on the Queen of Cups card:
Cherubim in traditional Judeo-Christian belief are minor angels who indicate the presence of something Divine or Holy. Cherubs themselves do not exert direct influence, but represent a part of the Divine realm. When cherubs appear in artistic representations, we can infer that the workings of Divinity are taking place somewhere. In classical artistic representations, Cherubs don't represent God directly, but instead point to the workings of a part of the Divine plan.
Now you're ready for a free tarot reading:
Time to put your newfound tarot knowledge to use? iFate's online tarot readings are easy enough for beginners, and powerful enough for experts. Try a free tarot reading now.
all content copyright ifate.com / futuremedia LLC
Tarot: