In traditional tarot, the King of Cups is the highest of the Court Cards in the Suit of Cups. Like all other Minor Arcana tarot cards, the King of Cups is instilled with vivid and complex imagery, combined with powerful symbolism and meaning. Typically, the King of Cups is viewed by tarot readers as a symbol of mature, masculine love combined with creativity and intelligent, critical thinking.
In the Rider-Waite deck, the most popular tarot deck in the English-speaking world, the King of Wands is depicted as a man sitting on a throne that floats in a vast blue ocean. He holds a golden chalice in his right hand and a sceptre in his left hand. His outfit is elaborate but asymmetrical, and he wears a fish charm on a gold necklace. Behind his throne, a dolphin leaps out of the ocean and a ship sails.
Traditional tarot readers generally see the King of Cups as a symbol of deep, fatherly, protective love, as well as the realm of creative, intelligent thinking associated with the images in the card. Oceans and ocean-life, both seen as spiritual and creative symbols, indicate that the King of Cups is a tarot card of love, vividness, and energetic creativity.
Often, like all Court Cards in tarot, the King of Cups can indicate a person, rather than just a state of mind or a state of being. The King of Cups generally represents an older man who is drawn to the querent of the tarot reading in a fatherly, mentor-like sense. He likely has a career in the arts and tends toward deep, philosophical thinking. While he may be moody, he is also fiercely loyal to those he loves.
Whether the King of Cups indicates a person or a state of mind can generally be determined by examining the tarot card's context in a tarot reading, and the specific question being asked by the querent. Depending on the current state of affairs for the tarot reading's subject, the King of Cups can signify either a new attitude related to the arts and creative passion, or a mentor who values these traits.
As a person, the King of Cups has some negative traits, which become much more pronounced when the tarot card is drawn in reverse. The reversed King of Cups is considered to be fiercely emotional, and likely to overreact when he feels that someone he loves has been hurt. The person or state of mind associated with the King of Cups may be dangerously sensitive or tend toward moodiness and overreaction.
