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The Meaning of
the "Six of Cups" Tarot Card

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What is the inverted meaning of
the "Six of Cups"?

The Meaning of the "Six of Cups"
Tarot Card


The Symbolism of the Six of Cups

On the Six of Cups we see a small boy wearing a jester's costume. The boy gives a young noble-girl a gift of a flowering cup.

Four more flowering cups adorn the base of the card, giving the impression of a flower garden. One final cup sits on a wall behind them.

The boy kisses the flower before giving the cup to the girl. She smiles in delight. Guards are on duty at the manor house in the background, and a family coat of arms adorns the wall behind them.

The image is the polar opposite of adult emotion and desire. The scene is a picture of innocence: Pure, heartfelt, youthful love.

The image is the polar opposite of adult emotion and desire. The scene is a picture of innocence: Pure, heartfelt, youthful love. The guards, whose backs are turned, clearly do not consider the children's play important.


How to Interpret the Six of Cups

There is nothing happier or more innocent than puppy love. It's the purest and simplest form of emotional connection.

The Six of Cups illustrates that pure form of innocent emotional positivity. It serves as a reference for the well-meaning, supportive energies that exist between friends, family members and the best adult relationships.

The Six of Cups reminds us to channel our own inner child and nurture it. Don't forget to engage in life's simple pleasures.

The Six of Cups reminds us to channel our own inner child and nurture it. Don't forget to engage in life's simple pleasures. At the end of the day, we are all still the same people we were during our own age of innocence. The Six of Cups reminds us to to de-stress and take life simply.

In a relationship reading, it's often a reminder rekindle simplicity. Don't forget the basic, innocent enjoyment of time spent laughing, playing and sharing.

On a literal level, the card may also be referencing someone appearing from your past: An old friend from a simpler time in life, when friendships were less complicated. Or it may be referencing any person who exhibits those qualities in some way.

The card is generally very positive and carries overtones of happiness, simplicity, childhood and friendship.


The Six of Cups Inverted

The reversed Six of Cups is often a reminder to stop living in the past. As we go through life it is tempting to compare all that is happening now with previous experiences. This card reminds us that we should keep an open mind about the present and not dwell too much on things that happened long ago.

The Six of Cups reversed may be a gentle warning that something is being taken too seriously. The card reminds us we should keep our inner sense of wonder, innocence and lightheartedness alive.

In other cases, the Six of Cups reversed may be a gentle warning that something is being taken too seriously. The card reminds us we should keep our inner sense of wonder, innocence and lightheartedness alive. If we lose that, we lose part of what makes us human.

In a relationship reading the inverted Six of Cups may be a sign that going back to playful, more innocent times may prove difficult.

On a literal level this card inverted may indicate a person from the past who is hoping to connect on old terms — but whose motives may have changed.


Common Symbols Found On the Six of Cups Card

Tarot cards often use a language of symbols to communicate hints about how the card should be interpreted. The Six of Cups makes use of at least five common, repeating Tarot symbols. Each of these common symbols can add additional levels of interpretation to the card.

The symbols which appear on the Six of Cups card are:

  • Children

    Children symbolism appears on the Six of Cups card:

    In the Minor Arcana young children convey the idea of the positive ideas of innocence and purity of intent. When appearing alongside mother and father, children typically convey the concepts of family, happiness and wealth.

    Read more about the symbolism of "Children" in Tarot  

  • Lilies

    Lilies symbolism appears on the Six of Cups card:

    White lilies are used throughout the Rider Waite deck on many different cards. Lilies symbolize positive thinking, innocence, mental clarity and focus. Lilies are also considered to represent a distinctly female force, or the "Yin" in the Yin Yang. In traditional Christian beliefs, the pure white lily is also synonymous with virginity, the Virgin Mary and things that are both sacred and pure.

    NOTE: Because the two figures featured in the Six of Cups card are children, the lilies in the Six of Cups card are taken to symbolize an innocent, pure and immature kind of love.

    Read more about the symbolism of "Lilies" in Tarot  

  • Coats of Arms

    Coats of arms symbolism appears on the Six of Cups card:

    A coat-of-arms or family crest symbolizes generational wealth, success and a steadfast commitment to family. A coat of arms may also symbolize obligations or the duty one has to family or an organization.

    Read more about the symbolism of "Coats of Arms" in Tarot  

  • Couples

    Couples symbolism appears on the Six of Cups card:

    Couples are a frequent symbol appearing on cards of both the Major and Minor Arcana. In Minor Arcana cards, couples are a generally (but not always) positive symbol — associated with ideas from growth and happiness, to prosperity and security.

    Read more about the symbolism of "Couples" in Tarot  

  • Manor Houses

    Manor houses symbolism appears on the Six of Cups card:

    Manor homes depicted in the Tarot are the purest symbol of family dynasty and familial wealth. Manors are often depicted alongside another common symbol: a coat-of-arms or family crest. Contained within the concept of hereditary wealth and dynasty we often find the assocated concepts of devotion to the family, and of a greater personal destiny.

    Read more about the symbolism of "Manor Houses" in Tarot  

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