The Meaning of
the "Six of Cups" Tarot Card

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.

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 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.